By Sagar V. Mankar According to reports from Chinese media, Game Science, the studio behind the upcoming Black Myth Wukong, turned down Sweet Baby Inc.’s consultancy services due to an alleged $7 million price tag.
The developers felt that accepting such an offer could compromise their creative vision and lead to forced inclusivity that might not align with the game’s setting and source material.
What is Sweet Baby Inc., and what do they do?
Sweet Baby Inc. has emerged as a prominent consultancy in the gaming industry, known for advising developers on inclusivity and diversity in their projects.
Their mission is to promote representation across various demographics in video games. However, their methods and the impact of their involvement have become subjects of intense debate among gamers and industry insiders.
Does Sweet Baby Inc. Goes Too Far?
While diversity and representation are laudable goals, many argue that Sweet Baby Inc. goes too far in forcing its agenda on developers. Their “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to consider the unique cultural contexts of different games.
Sweet Baby Inc. is also criticized for a lack of passion for the projects it influences. Some see their involvement as little more than a box-checking exercise, rather than a genuine effort to enrich gaming experiences.
Hype for Black Myth Wukong Is Real
Black Myth: Wukong is an upcoming action RPG scheduled for release on August 20, 2024, for PS5, PC, and later for Xbox Series X/S.
Drawing inspiration from “Journey to the West,” one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, the game lets you play as Sun Wukong (The Monkey King), armed with a magical staff decides to travel the world to seek the Tao and on his journey, he takes on all manner of formidable foes.
Thus, Black Myth: Wukong is a game rooted heavily in Chinese Mythology, leaving very little scope for Sweet Baby to interfere.
It’s currently the most wish-listed title on Steam, reflecting high anticipation from the gaming community.
Storyline
The Black Myth: Wukong story is based on one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Journey to the West. It’s a huge tome, with 100 chapters, so might not quite be essential reading before the game comes out in August, but what you need to know is that it tells the story of Sun Wukong or The Monkey King.
Born on a mountain from a stone egg that’s only created when Heaven and Earth combine, he decides to travel the world to seek the Tao – which is an understanding of the universe in Chinese religions and philosophies that must be unlocked before you can achieve ultimate personal wisdom and spiritual growth. The Monkey King has ambitions of becoming a god, but without going too far into spoiler town, that’s not exactly what he achieves.
Thus, Black Myth: Wukong is a game rooted heavily in Chinese Mythology, with the Wukong or “The Destined One” venturing out to learn more about the world and its truths.
Gameplay
In both the novel and the game, Wukong’s primary weapon is a staff that’s he’s capable of shrinking down to the size of a needle and storing inside his own ear. Don’t try this at home folks.
Mastering the staff techniques will be a core part of the Black Myth: Wukong combat, with precision and speed being key to taking on the behemoths that you’ll have to take on along your journey. You will however also be able to use other weapons, abilities, spells, magic vessels, equipment, and transformations in order to build a strategy an combat style that suits you.
Weapons
According to a post by Lunatic Ignus over on X, new leaks have surfaced, revealing details about what players can anticipate from Black Myth: Wukong when it launches in August. Ignus mentioned that Black Myth: Wukong will include ‘around 160 enemy types’ and ’80+ bosses’. They also mentioned that the game will feature New Game+ and multiple endings from the start. ‘The game is slightly easier than soulsborne games,’ they noted.’
Is Black Myth: Wukong open world?
While you’ll be moving through a whole host of different landscapes in Black Myth: Wukong, it is not an open-world game. From what we’ve seen in trailers so far though it’s going to be an absolutely stunning game, with locations introducing all kinds of visual elements including snowy mountains, bizarre huge twisting trees, cliffs and caves, gorgeous blossom trees, and lush forests.
Black Myth: Wukong Collector’s Edition
Along with the standard edition of the game, developer Game Science has confirmed that there are three different Black Myth: Wukong collector’s editions up for grabs.
All are available to pre-order now, here’s what they each consist of:
1. Black Myth: Wukong Digital Edition
Price: $69.99
Contains: Bronzebloud Staff weapon, Folk Opera Mask, Folk Opera Almsgiving Armor, Folk Opera Leather Bracers, Folk Opera Buskins, Window Chimes curio, the digital soundtrack, and if you pre-order now you get the Trailblazer’s Scarlet Gourd. Plus the full game of course.
2. Black Myth: Wukong Deluxe Edition
Price: $169
Contains Steel Case, a 1:1 scale bronze replica of The Constricting Headband, Gold Sun Crow pin, Wind Chime necklace, Thunderstone ring, warranty certificate, and a color print on silk scroll of artwork called ‘Chaos at the Peach Banquet’. Also includes code for Digital Deluxe Edition of the game.
3. Black Myth: Wukong Collector’s Edition
Price: $399
Contains: steel case, Gold Sun Crow pin, Wind Chime necklace, Thunderstone ring, warranty certificate, stamps and postcard, color print on silk scrolls of the artwork called ‘Teaching of the Heart Sutra’, 40cm figurine of The Monkey King. Also includes code for Digital Deluxe Edition of the game.