India Can’t Build a AAA Game like Blacksmith Wukong. Here’s Why?

Chinese Game “Blacksmith Wukong” Breaks Records

This Chinese game just broke world records for being one of the most played games ever. Blacksmith Wukong hit 2.2 million concurrent players on Steam within hours of release—that’s more than any other single-player game ever. But what makes this game so special? In this blog post, I’ll explain why the success of Wukong is a masterclass in marketing and why I don’t see India pulling this off anytime soon.

Marketing Genius Behind Wukong

First off, a note for all the die-hard fans of the game: I concur that it’s an incredible game featuring a captivating yet challenging narrative alongside cutting-edge gameplay. I also concur that for any gamer who takes their hobby seriously, Wukong isn’t a game that just hit the market—I’ve been anticipating its release for ages. It’s clear that a significant portion of its popularity can be credited to the developers. However, some crucial choices made by Game Science (the creators of Wukong) played a pivotal role in its rise to prominence.

Few people discuss this, but the game industry giant Tencent holds a 5% stake in Game Science. I’d hazard a guess that they are the ones striking deals with American companies, which contributed to its cultural relevance.

Game Science’s Partnerships and Marketing

I don’t think people understand how big of a deal it is to get Nvidia (yes, that Nvidia) to put your game on their GPUs. Nvidia, which has been on a crazy growth path, is at the forefront of the AI revolution. There are also some unconfirmed reports about a deal with PlayStation.

Additionally, the hype and anticipation for this game were not made overnight. Game Science dropped the first demo of the game back in 2020, and they have been building the hype ever since. Game Science also partnered with Luckin Coffee (the Starbucks of China), launching a dedicated Americano named after Wukong along with some merch, all of which sold out instantly. Moreover, Hisense, a Chinese appliance manufacturer, launched an exclusive picture mode named after Wukong in their select TVs.

PC Gaming Market in India vs. China

So, let me explain why it’s tough to create a Wukong in India. First off, India doesn’t really have a big market for AAA PC games. The PC gaming scene in India is so tiny, it’s barely 10% of what the mobile game scene is. Unlike with phones where you can play a top-notch game like PUBG on a cheap one, most of the PCs in India just can’t handle games like Wukong or Red Dead Redemption 2.

On the flip side, China’s second-biggest market for Steam, just after the US, is a big deal for Game Science. India just doesn’t even make the top 10. Game Science got into the PC game scene in 2018, after noticing a big boom in PC gaming. Steam launched in China in 2021, which opened up a super profitable way for Game Science to get their games out there.

Wukong’s Global Success Factors

Wukong’s success is not only from China. It sold 10 million copies in three days due to its genius marketing, whether through the Nvidia deal, Steam partnerships, or other collaborations. Game Science spent ₹555 crores (around $75 million) over six years to make the game. No investor in India is ready to put up that kind of money for PC gaming.

Wukong’s global success was not just about money, but about good product marketing. Game Science was able to crack legendary deals and made the game a global phenomenon.

Game Development Challenges in India

Now, let’s delve into the realm of game development in India. This field merges design, development, and marketing, necessitating proficiency in each area. India boasts the requisite technical talent, yet the hurdle lies in establishing a market presence and making that crucial leap. We’ve observed some success in film and television, particularly on OTT platforms, yet the gaming industry remains somewhat lagging behind.

Cultural Challenges for Indian Game Devs

Finally, there are cultural roadblocks. Wukong is based on Chinese mythology, and a game of similar nature in India might face significant backlash. In God of War, you can kill Norse gods, but in India, such actions might not be culturally acceptable. For Indian developers to take risks and create something as bold as Wukong, there needs to be more creative freedom.

Conclusion

As a video game fanatic and a proud Indian, I hope we are able to overcome these challenges. Indian history and mythology are incredibly rich and should be shared with the world. Until that day comes, I would think twice before investing millions in building a AAA PC game in India.