Shaanxi Province Emerges as Top Tourist Destination During Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday in China... Thanks to the Hit "Son Ogong" Game [AK Radio]

Blockbuster with 10 Million Copies Sold in Just Three Days
Game Setting Shanxi Province Sees Tourist Numbers Triple

Shanxi Province in China has become a hot topic this year due to an unexpected surge in tourists. The reason behind this is the game “Black Myth: Wukong,” which has gained immense popularity in China. This action RPG game is based on the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, and with Shanxi’s Buddhist temples and scenic spots set as the main backgrounds in the game, many users are visiting the region. Located inland in China, Shanxi had not previously been recognized as a major tourist destination, but during this holiday period, tourism demand surged dramatically, leading to a shortage of hotels and accommodations.

Black Myth: Wukong has evolved beyond mere game popularity into a tourism theme centered on visiting Shanxi, the game’s setting, significantly impacting the local economy. Local travel agencies in Shanxi recorded bookings that increased by more than 300% compared to last year, and the province’s major temples and tourist sites are bustling with crowds exceeding expectations. The success of Black Myth: Wukong demonstrates how a game can influence not only entertainment but also regional economies and the tourism industry.

Black Myth: Wukong is a game based on the representative Chinese classical literature Journey to the West, featuring Sun Wukong as the protagonist and adding a fictional storyline inspired by the original tale. The game covers the story after Sun Wukong brought Buddhist scriptures from India. Although Sun Wukong ascended to Buddha’s seat in heaven, feeling bored, he decided to retire and declared his intention to return to Huaguo Mountain to live. However, the heavens feared he might cause trouble again and sent an army to suppress him. In the ensuing battle, Sun Wukong dies, and his soul splits into six parts. The game’s protagonist is one of these souls, a monkey, who embarks on an adventure to find the remaining souls.

[Image source=Game Science]

While maintaining the traditional story of Journey to the West, Black Myth: Wukong builds an original fictional world and has gained popularity not only in China but worldwide. It sold over 10 million copies within three days of release, achieving great global success and has recorded sales exceeding 1 trillion KRW to date. This blockbuster game took five years to develop with a production budget of approximately 70 billion KRW and is regarded as China’s first AAA console game based on traditional Chinese culture.

Notably, the game received support from the Chinese government and the Shanxi Tourism Bureau, using Shanxi’s landmarks as in-game backgrounds and contributing to promoting Chinese traditional culture globally. The temples and scenic spots featured in the game correspond to actual tourist sites in Shanxi, attracting great popularity among visitors. Shanxi’s Buddhist temples and scenic spots are also the backdrop of Journey to the West, and through the game, the region is establishing itself as a new tourist attraction.

Within China, the game’s popularity has led to a surge in sales of PlayStation consoles, high-spec computers, and graphics cards. Equipment for enjoying console games is in short supply, and high-end PCs and related components are selling out, showing that the gaming industry is positively influencing other sectors. Breaking existing prejudices against Chinese games, Black Myth: Wukong has captivated gamers worldwide with its high-quality graphics and solid storytelling, opening new possibilities for the previously undervalued Chinese gaming industry.

The view of 'Xiaoshechuan,' a famous scenic spot in Shanxi Province, China, which serves as the main setting for the game Black Myth: Wukong. [Image source=Trip.com]

The Korean game market also has the potential for blockbuster console games like Black Myth: Wukong to succeed, but the market structure centered on mobile MMORPGs remains a problem. The Korean game industry has overly relied on mobile games, focusing on short-term profit generation and has been passive in producing console games that require long-term investment. However, recent popularity of Korean console games such as “Stella Blade” and “P’s Falsehood” indicates signs of change in the Korean game market.

The issue in the Korean game market stems from a corporate culture focused on short-term profits rather than long-term achievements. Producing blockbusters like console games requires long-term investment of over five years, but most companies prioritize short-term results, leading to insufficient investment in mid- to long-term projects. Nevertheless, interest in console game production is increasing in the Korean game industry, and the government has announced plans to strengthen support for console game development.

Although Korea’s game industry still depends heavily on mobile games, the mobile game market is facing growth limits. Especially with the rapid trend changes among the MZ generation, the lifespan of mobile games is shortening, and competition is intensifying. In contrast, console games have the advantage of securing a stable user base and can expect greater long-term profits. Therefore, the Korean game market is gradually shifting toward the console game market, and more AAA blockbusters are expected to be released in the future.

The successful case of Black Myth: Wukong in the Chinese game market holds significance beyond just a game. It has shown the potential for content based on traditional Chinese culture to resonate globally and suggested the possibility of revitalizing local economies through gaming. Games are no longer just entertainment but have become an important cultural industry that can contribute to regional economies by linking with the tourism industry.

It remains to be seen whether the Korean game market can follow this trend. With government support and long-term investment and efforts from companies, global blockbusters like Black Myth: Wukong could emerge in Korea as well. This would not only advance the game industry but also positively impact Korean culture and the tourism industry.

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