Summary of Key Points
On August 20th, Game Science released a 15-minute gameplay video for "Black Myth: Zhong Kui," which garnered over 3 million views on Bilibili within three hours and quickly became a trending topic. The video showcased highly realistic graphics, a cinematic storyline, and advanced combat mechanics, earning admiration from both players and the industry. The team also revealed that the development costs for the new game have increased significantly due to technological upgrades. They chose not to make a sequel to "Black Myth:悟空" as a way to hone their skills and explore new themes. AI is not being used at this stage of development, and the gameplay details are still being kept under wraps.
Detailed Analysis
1. The Video's Explosive Success: Graphics So Realistic It's Hard to Tell They're Virtual
The video’s rapid popularity can be attributed to its graphics quality and technical prowess, which have reached international top-tier standards. Players commented on the stunningly realistic visuals and the difficulty in distinguishing between real and fictional elements. Industry experts praised the game for maintaining Game Science's unique artistic style and the high-quality soundtrack. The impressive viewership figures indicate that players have high expectations for domestic 3A games, and such tangible improvements have genuinely captured their excitement.
2. Quality Comes at a Price: Higher Development Costs
The smoother animation and more detailed graphics in the video require substantial investment. Feng Ji responded to comments about the upgraded motion capture technology by saying, "The costs have also gone up accordingly." Given that the estimated development cost for "Black Myth:悟空" was around 300-400 million yuan, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" is likely to cost even more. This investment reflects Game Science's commitment to quality.
3. Choosing a New Theme Instead of a Sequel
Many players wondered why they didn’t pursue a sequel to "Wukong." Yang Qi explained that relying on past successes would be risky, so they decided to try something new, such as the Zhong Kui theme, which combines elements of mythology, fantasy, and martial arts. This move allows them to address issues like the "invisible barriers" within the game that hindered player progression. The industry agrees that this approach is smart, as creating a sequel comes with the pressure to surpass the original, while a new theme offers more opportunities for innovation.
4. A Reluctant Approach to AI: No Use of AI in Design
While the gaming industry is increasingly using AI (e.g., AIGC for art assets), Yang Qi prefers to rely on traditional methods for design and asset creation. He believes that while AI will play a significant role in the future, it’s important to focus on building a solid foundation now. This approach highlights the team’s emphasis on craftsmanship.
5. Keeping Gameplay Secrets: Early Development Stage
The gameplay video mainly featured visuals and combat sequences, but not many specific mechanics were revealed. Analyst Zhang Shule noted that the combat system seems similar to "Wukong's." The reason is that the game is still in its early stages, and the team wants to keep the core gameplay elements secret until they are fully developed. Unique features of a fantasy game, such as the ghost-catching system and magical abilities, are crucial for attracting players, and revealing them too early could lead to imitation or diminish their novelty.
Conclusion
The "Black Myth: Zhong Kui" gameplay video has demonstrated the progress of domestic 3A games while showcasing the team’s ambition and caution. They are willing to invest heavily in quality, take risks by exploring new themes, and focus on crafting the game manually. Although the release date is not yet set, their commitment to excellence has already generated a lot of anticipation among players. After all, good games deserve to be waited for.