Why Western Gamers Should Boycott Black Myth: Wukong – DEI-Free But Not CCP-Free

The march against DEI in video games continues on and things have heated up. This time, it has been declared that journalists are allegedly abusing their positions to manipulate game developers into working with DEI companies such as Sweet Baby Inc. The claim has been made by Black Myth: Wukong developer Game Science on a social media post which was translated and published on Twitter saying that “…they refuse to pay the exorbitant $7 million in guidance fees.” Claiming that game news outlets and DEI consultant agencies are working hand-in-hand to shake developers down for money is a probability. But, in this case it is not that relevant. In fact, Western gamers should boycott Black Myth: Wukong for one simple reason which is not the same as you might think.

It is not surprising that there has been an immediate reaction to Game Science’s claim that video game news outlets have been demonizing the developer every chance they get in order for DEI consultants to take advantage of the situation. Distrust, disgust, and even hatred of established video game news outlets, whether justified or not, has been on the rise for a long time now. To the point that prominent voices such as former video game executive Mark “Grummz” Kern and YouTubers such as Ryan Kinel, Vara Dark, EndymionTV, and Hypnotic were quick to voice their opinions on this claim. 

While we can applaud the efforts of these individuals and the rest who focused on this story, the problem is that, in all of these cases, the backlash against DEI is so great that the blinders have been put on for older, more established issues that were never spoken out against except by a small few (a topic for another time). They focused too much on a specific issue and ignored the more pertinent ones when it comes to Chinese developer Game Science and its game Black Myth: Wukong.

Yes, DEI consultant agencies such as Sweet Baby Inc and the rest are a major problem in gaming right now. Yes, video game news outlets tend to be biased, agenda-driven propaganda machines for the Left. However, while this should all be pointed out, there needed to be an emphasis on Game Science, its game, and the fact that this is a claim being made which most of the creators mentioned did point out but only in passing.

No proof was offered in the form of screenshotted emails or recorded voice messages or phone calls to lend credence to the fact that a Western DEI agency tried to extort money from a Chinese developer. The latter being the main issue here: Game Science is a Chinese game developer.

Which means that this claim should have been taken with several grains of salt.

It is hard to believe that any DEI consultant would actually try to sell their services to a Chinese developer. Either that business is ignorant, greedy, retarded or all of the above to do such a thing. After all, Black Myth: Wukong was never in danger of being DEIfied because China doesn’t adhere to the West. However, sites such as IGN lambasting the developer with claims of “sexism” and “misogyny” would be of concern since that would affect the bottom line. Especially when a site like IGN is misrepresenting what is being said due to unethical journalistic practices (check out Asmongold and his editor’s criticism and debunking of IGN’s claims).

With the current outrage over DEI, there is the possibility that Game Science has decided to utilize this to its advantage. It is not going to get fair coverage of its product because the narrative has been set against it by IGN and other sites. But there are plenty of prominent individuals and content creators critical of established sites and DEI that the developer could take advantage of. 

What was the result of Game Science’s claim that they were being “extorted” for $7 million? Black Myth: Wukong skyrocketed to the #1 Most Wishlisted Title on Steam according to SteamDB and has gained over 100,000 new followers over the past 10 days with a major spike since the initial claim was promoted.

As a result, Black Myth: Wukong, considered as a Chinese “AAA” title, is now one of the most sought-after games in the video game market. 

Which is not a good thing.

While one can understand the intent and good wishes of those who offered their opinion on the DEI extortion claim made by Game Science, there must also be criticism over the fact that they encouraged support of a Chinese developer. Especially a Chinese game developer like Game Science, staffed by ex-TenCent employees, who is backed by Chinese multinational conglomerate TenCent which has a 5% minority stake in the company. 

TenCent’s 5% minority stake in Game Science isn’t necessarily a big thing, but one has to remember that this is a company that owns developers such as Riot Games which has developed the Anti-Addiction System (AAS), for the Chinese government, in order to track players and have the ability to kick them out of the game. There is also Riot Games’ invasive anti-cheat system which has the same rights and privileges as an administration program. 

Of course, this was all developed for China. Nothing like that could ever happen here in the United States…

Oh right, developers and publishers are collecting gamers’ data and even selling it to other companies via third-party accounts. 

When it comes to Chinese developed games, there is an expectation of foul play on their part that is for the benefit of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). From spyware to propaganda in their video games, the CCP machine is infiltrating everything and western countries are letting them do it. 

Whereas, in stark contrast to a free market, China has strict policies for anyone that even considers releasing a game over there let alone develop one. From enforcing the rule that a company must be Chinese-owned and locally-based to no blood in a game and dead bodies disappearing quickly, these are just some of the requirements forced on developers and companies wishing to do business in that country. What is even more fascinating is that a game can not portray China in a negative light and, if it is deemed to do so, will be removed like what happened to simulation game Plague Inc since players could use China as the origin for releasing a pathogen (this was in 2020 when the CCP was doing everything it could to fight the fact that Wuhan was the origin for Covid pandemic).

There are even more requirements if a game is set in China. Foremost, the game must support unity and support the values of China. But there is a small carrot at the end of the large stick. If a game happens to also promote traditional Chinese history or culture, then it gets prioritized for approval (respect for culture and history that Ubisoft didn’t want to show to Japan with its racist game Assassin’s Creed Shadows which spits on the Japanese). 

So why should western gamers boycott Black Myth: Wukong?

Because Black Myth: Wukong is a Chinese product that will be filled with Chinese propaganda and, possibly, spyware of some sort. It should be boycotted because China doesn’t recognize or respect the Intellectual Property of other countries, will steal the work of other people, repackage it, and sell it as their own. Boycotted because the CCP doesn’t believe in the right to free speech which translates into developers such as Activision Blizzard violating the 1st Amendment rights of Americans. That China has a stranglehold on its video game sector while other countries have little to no such restrictions. 

China is an enemy country of the West and, rather than stopping the influx of both physical and digital Chinese goods that cause havoc on various sectors, China is allowed unfettered access and ability to sell their goods. For those in the western hemisphere who suffered during the insane covid lockdowns, why would you want to reward China for the death and suffering it inflicted on the entire world? Why would you want to support a fascistic government that is committing crimes against humanity that consists of the persecution of Uyghurs in China especially the forced sterilization of women and abortions, forced labor, treatment of prisoners, and even the crackdown of its own citizens that includes denying single women the opportunity to freeze their eggs?

Content creators need to look at Game Science’s $7 million extortion claim as a red herring for another Chinese trojan horse into the video game market. While speaking out against DEI in video games is worthwhile, so is the topic of Chinese developed IPs. Both topics are equally bad and should be stopped. Kern, and other content creators, were right to point out the claim of potential collusion between video games news outlets and DEI consultant agencies. And efforts should be made to find proof of such claims. However, at the same time, they shouldn’t be promoting the game.

Instead, promote and convince gamers to boycott Black Myth: Wukong while continuing to address the issues with DEI. And, just to remind you, Black Myth: Wukong also includes Denuvo, one of the worst forms of DRM that the industry uses.

But remember that there is nothing evil about the Chinese people. It is the government and its supporters who are evil and, until good people rise up to depose the fascist regime, gamers should not be helping to keep it in power.

Update: 

List Of Banned Talking Points Sent To Content Creators Wishing To Acquire Black Myth: Wukong CD Keys

Author’s Note: Support this site by donating via Paypal or even checking out our merchandise on RedBubble where you can find designs that cater to writers and readers. Money donated and raised goes into paying for this website and equipment.