gaming

After a Big 2024, What’s Next for China’s Game Industry?

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

The race to make the next Black Myth: Wukong may come down to two developers.

Kong Degang

The Many Faces of Sun Wukong

Some critics complained that Game Science, developers of the wildly popular game “Black Myth: Wukong,” did the Monkey King dirty. But the mischievous simian has always defied easy categorization.

‘Black Myth’ and the Hunt for China’s Kojima

Can the wildly popular title win more space for auteurs in China’s gaming industry?

Deng Jian

In Black Myth: Wukong, China Sees a Game That Could Change Everything

Articles that cut to the core of contemporary China. In-depth, informed, and carefully crafted, every piece is carried by the voices of the story’s participants.

FEATURES

Rooted in the classic novel “Journey to the West,” China’s first big-budget AAA video game has stunned the global gaming industry, drawing a record 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam at launch.

Fan Yiying

Li  Yanshu

My Child Spent a Fortune on a Chinese Video Game. What Now?

Timely reports on issues and events from across China. Drawing on a vast range of sources, these succinct articles provide insights into the significance of each issue in a wider context.

NEWS

Amid a wave of public anger, China’s video game industry has vowed to make it easier for parents to claim refunds if they find their child has secretly spent huge sums on in-game add-ons.

Ding Rui

Gaming Giant Blizzard Returns to China, Sparking Joy — and Some Anger

U.S.-based video game maker Blizzard Entertainment has announced a new deal to re-enter the Chinese market. But some gamers still haven’t forgiven the company for leaving in the first place.

Yang Caini

In China, a Mother and Daughter Find Connection Through Gaming

For most parents, video games are a source of tension with their children. But a mother and daughter in Sichuan province have discovered that the opposite can also be true.

Ye Zhanhang

Tencent and ByteDance Pause Feud, Team Up to Livestream Games

From Jan. 21, Tencent will allow users to livestream their gameplay of “Honor of Kings” on the ByteDance-owned Douyin.

Tencent Limits Minors to 16 Hours Gaming Around Spring Festival 

The announcement comes as China’s gaming industry is back in the spotlight after authorities proposed major new rules in December on companies’ business models.

Four Games That Sum Up China’s 2023

These four titles weren’t the biggest games released by Chinese developers this year, but they are some of the most memorable.

Love Bytes: How a New Runaway Hit Game Is Wooing Single Chinese Men

Blending interactive simulation and TV romance dramas, “Love Is All Around” is designed specifically for men, and gameplay revolves around pursuing relationships with multiple women. Despite its chart-topping success, the game has also been criticized for its stereotypical portrayal of women.

He Qitong

One Year After Exit, Blizzard Games Eyes Return to China: Reports

Reports on Blizzard Entertainment’s negotiations with prospective Chinese partners surfaced after a domestic company appeared to be streaming World of Warcraft content.

Huge Demand for Esports Tickets at Hangzhou Asian Games

A lottery system was used to allocate tickets for esports, which is making its debut as a medaled event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Jiang Zuer

At China’s Biggest Gaming Expo, AI Takes Center Stage 

At ChinaJoy, one of the world’s biggest digital entertainment expos, over 300 domestic and international gaming developers presented new products to the public.

Game Overpriced: Honor of Kings’ Fashion Line Leaves Fans Fuming

Priced at 1298-1680 yuan ($185-$238), the game’s new limited edition clothing brand targets women, who account for more than half its player base.

Vincent Chow

Chinese Gamers Brace for Adventure as the New Zelda Hits Shelves

The latest offering from Nintendo’s decades-old saga has social media buzzing with memes and jokes about taking leave from work to play the game.

China’s Newest Dating Craze: Real-Life Meetups With Virtual Boyfriends

During the pandemic, women across China became infatuated with the dashing male characters in a series of viral video games. Now, many are hiring cosplayers to bring their digital beaus to life.

Wu Peiyue

Can China’s Esports Athletes Mount a Comeback?

Last year was a disaster for the country’s once dominant esports teams, from “Dota 2” to “Counter-Strike.” What happened?

Zhao Xiaoou

Stakes High as China’s Game Makers Gamble on Overseas Markets

Translations, cross-publications, and collaborative projects from Sixth Tone’s external partners. 

SIXTH TONE ×

As large and small developers attempt to expand abroad in the face of a tough domestic market, industry insiders warn of soaring costs and culture clashes.

Shenran Caijing

Looking for Love in China? Get Into Esports.

China has seen a steep decline in the number of young people willing to get married in recent years. But one surprising group bucks the trend: esports fans.