A gamer showcases promotional material for Black Myth: Wukong in Shanghai. Aug 21, 2024. [Photo/VCG]

Zhejiang province's government work report for 2024 spotlighted Black Myth: Wukong, a breakout game developed by Hangzhou-based Game Science. 

Widely regarded as China's first AAA title, the game captured global attention following its August 2024 release.

The game's mythological world, inspired by Journey to the West, topped charts in over a dozen countries, including the United States, Singapore, Canada, and Italy. In November, it won multiple awards at the United Kingdom's Golden Joystick Awards, including Game of the Year and Best Visual Design.

Han Xu, vice-president of the China Academy of Art, credited the game's success to its distinctive portrayal of Eastern aesthetics. "The mountain landscapes, architectural details, and sculptural elements all draw from traditional Chinese art, giving the game a unique visual identity," he said.

Han noted that the game's quality reflects years of refinement and craftsmanship, predicting its success even during early design phases. "Creating games like this requires cultural depth and relentless attention to artistic detail," he said.

Han also emphasized the educational potential of games as artistic media. The China Academy of Art, a pioneer in interactive media education, formally established its School of Animation and Games in 2022 to explore creative intersections in animation, interactive media, and game design.