Home Black Myth: Wukong causes PS5 console sales to skyrocket

Black Myth: Wukong causes PS5 console sales to skyrocket

TLDR

  • Black Myth: Wukong significantly boosted PS5 sales in China after its August 20 release.
  • The game quickly became Steam's most-played single-player game, selling millions of copies.
  • PS5 searches surged 300% on Alibaba's Xianyu, with sales doubling compared to the previous year.

Sony has a lot to thank the single-player game Black Myth: Wukong for as its launch in August has propelled sales of the PlayStation 5 in China.

The game was developed by the Chinese-based Game Science and it has seen major success since its release on August 20, with millions of copies having already been sold in such a short window of time.

It has also become Steam’s most-played single-player game ever, just hours after launch.

According to a Bloomberg report, the hype around the game has boosted the domestic sales of the console as this offers players the opportunity to try out the game without having to splash the cash for a 40-series Nvidia display card for the PC.

The report states gamers in China went on an ‘unusual buying spree’ following the release of Black Myth: Wukong. The sales of the PS5 in China that week were twice as much compared to the same period in the previous year.

The number of searches for ‘PS5 Consoles’ were said to be up on Xianyu too which is Alibaba Group Holding’s online flea market. The search term is believed to have surged by 300 per cent in August.

The platform is said to have seen the highest single-day transaction exceeding 700 orders this month, with sellers scrambling to add keywords like ‘Black Myth’ and ‘Wukong’ into their product titles and descriptions.

Why has Black Myth: Wukong caused PS5 console sales to soar?

Not only has the game been created by a Chinese developer, but it is very much rooted in Chinese mythology too.

It is loosely based on China’s most famous fantasy novel ‘Journey to the West,’ as gamers play as the Destined One and take on all of those that are in their path.

It’s also the first game by Game Science to appear on Steam since 2016’s Act of War: Red Tides.

Image Credit: Via Black Myth Game on X

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.