The global gaming industry is entering a new chapter, one shaped not in Silicon Valley or Tokyo, but in China’s deep well of myth and folklore. After the runaway success of Black Myth: Wukong in 2024, a title that sold over 20 million copies and shattered records for a Chinese-made game, Beijing’s cultural ambitions are finding expression in pixels and code.
Now, its sequel, Black Myth: Zhong Kui, promises to do more than entertain. Developed by Game Science, the project channels the legend of Zhong Kui, the ghost-catching god who guards against evil, into a AAA production aimed squarely at global audiences.
It is less a simple sequel than a strategic escalation: China’s effort to transform its vast cultural heritage into exportable global intellectual property, fusing blockbuster game design with centuries-old mythmaking to challenge the long-standing dominance of Western and Japanese studios.
For investors and cultural observers alike, Zhong Kui’s rise signals a new front in the global contest over stories, symbols, and soft power.
The rise of cultural IP in Chinese gaming
China’s gaming industry has traditionally been dominated by mobile-first, microtransaction-heavy models, with tech giants like Tencent setting the tone.
Yet, the success of Black Myth: Wukong, which sold 20 million copies in its first month and generated nearly $963 million in revenue, as per AIinvest, has proven that global audiences are eager for narrative-rich, culturally grounded AAA titles.
Game Science now aims to replicate and expand that success with Black Myth: Zhong Kui. By drawing inspiration from the legendary ghost-hunting deity Zhong Kui, the game weaves together myth and modern gameplay to deliver a story that feels both universal and distinctly Chinese.
Zhong Kui: The ghost-catching god
Zhong Kui is one of the most vivid figures in Chinese mythology, a fearsome vanquisher of ghosts and demons, often depicted with a bushy black beard, bulging eyes, and a wrathful glare.
His legend tells of a brilliant scholar who, despite topping the imperial examinations, was denied office due to his intimidating looks. Enraged, he took his own life, only to be appointed King of Ghosts in the underworld, tasked with hunting evil spirits and protecting the living.
His imagery, often furious and sword-wielding, adorns doors and homes across China as a talisman to ward off evil and invite good fortune. In folklore, Zhong Kui doesn’t just fight monsters; he embodies justice itself, balancing wrath with righteousness.
Some traditions also place him among the four judges of the underworld, alongside deities who oversee reincarnation, determine death’s cause, and guard the Book of Life and Death, the very text Sun Wukong once defied in Journey to the West.
This mythology deepens the connection between Wukong and Zhong Kui, suggesting Game Science is building not just a series, but a shared universe of Chinese myth in gaming form.
Gamescom reveal and early details
The game was officially unveiled at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, where host Geoff Keighley described Zhong Kui as the “ghost-catching god who wanders between Hell and Earth.”
A cinematic teaser showcased the deity’s role as both judge and warrior, although no gameplay footage has been released yet.
While still in early production, Game Science has confirmed that Zhong Kui will follow the single-player action RPG format of its predecessor.
The studio also hinted at addressing areas they felt needed improvement in Wukong, promising “distinctive experiences and gameplay features.”
