Black Myth: Wukong, an action RPG developed by Game Science, has become one of the most successful games in recent memory. The game was produced with an estimated budget of approximately $43 million, a figure recently confirmed by the Zhejiang State Taxation Administration in China.
Within weeks of its release, it sold over 20 million copies at $60 each, generating more than $1.2 billion in revenue. This rapid financial success made it one of the fastest-selling games of all time, further proving its commercial appeal.
The reported development cost of Wukong, at 300 million Yuan (around $42.3 million), contrasts with earlier estimates of a $70 million budget, suggesting the actual cost may differ from initial reports. The figures provided by the Zhejiang State Taxation Administration only cover the game’s total production costs and do not account for other expenses like marketing, distribution, or hardware.
These factors, along with financial contributions from Game Science’s biggest external shareholder, make it challenging to pinpoint an exact budget. However, the reported costs still offer valuable context when comparing Wukong’s production to other high-profile titles in the gaming industry.
One of the main points of comparison comes from the development budgets of other AAA games. For instance, PlayStation’s accidental reveal of the production costs for Horizon Forbidden West and The Last of Us Part 2, both exceeding $200 million, has intensified discussions on the growing costs of game development.
When compared to these figures, Wukong’s $43 million production cost stands out as relatively modest, especially considering its enormous sales success. This contrast highlights the efficiency with which Game Science was able to develop and launch such a popular game.
Labor costs likely played a key role in keeping the budget lower than that of other AAA games. Developers in China generally face lower salary expenses compared to those in higher-cost countries like the United States or the Netherlands, where major studios like Naughty Dog and Guerrilla Games are based.
This discrepancy in labor costs allows for high-quality game development at a more affordable price, contributing to the financial success of Wukong. In this regard, the game demonstrates how efficient development can lead to a profitable product even with a smaller budget.
Beyond its financial success, Black Myth: Wukong has also impressed players with its engaging gameplay. Despite its difficulty, many players have invested significant time into the game. As of last month, fans were averaging 27 hours of playtime, which indicates that Wukong offers a deep and immersive experience.
This long-lasting engagement, coupled with its high sales numbers, underlines the game’s impact, both as a commercial hit and as a well-received addition to the action RPG genre.
