It’s been less than 24 hours since Black Myth Wukong launched, and the much-awaited action RPG has already shattered records on Steam. Despite the controversies surrounding developer Game Science in the lead-up to the game’s release, it seems that nothing could stop the hype train from reaching its final destination.
As of writing, this dark and gritty take on the beloved Chinese novel “Journey to the West” has not only surpassed the previous record holder, Cyberpunk 2077, but has done so by a staggering margin.
Black Myth: Wukong Leaves Every Other Game in the Dust
When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it set a new record for the most concurrent players in a single-player game on Steam, with a peak of 1,054,388 players at the time of writing. Once it seemed like a milestone that would stand for years to come.
Enter Black Myth: Wukong. In less than a day, the game has not only beaten Cyberpunk 2077‘s record but has more than doubled it, with a mind-boggling 2,223,179 concurrent players and counting. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the entire population of Houston, Texas, all playing the same game at the same time.
Even more impressive is the fact that Black Myth Wukong has outperformed some of the most popular multiplayer games on Steam. Palworld, which launched earlier this year to much fanfare, peaked at 2,101,867 concurrent players. Black Myth Wukong has already surpassed that number, and it’s not even a multiplayer game!
The Journey to the Top of the Steam Charts
As things stand, the only game standing between Wukong and the title of most-played game on Steam is PUBG: Battlegrounds. But if the game continues to attract new players at its current pace, it’s not hard to imagine it claiming that crown as well.
What makes the Black Myth Wukong player count even more remarkable is the fact that it launched on a Tuesday. Traditionally, weekdays are slower for gaming, as many players have work or school commitments that limit their playtime. The fact that the game has managed to put up these numbers despite that handicap shows just how much anticipation there was for its release.
It’s also worth noting that this triumph comes in the face of some significant controversy. In the weeks leading up to launch, reports surfaced that Game Science‘s marketing team had instructed content creators not to include any “feminist propaganda” or mention sensitive topics like COVID-19 in their coverage.
While those reports certainly raised eyebrows, it seems that they did little to dampen players’ enthusiasm for the game. Of course, it remains to be seen whether The Destined One can maintain his momentum in the days and weeks to come. But one thing is clear: single-player gaming is far from dead.
In fact, if Black Myth Wukong steam release’s early success is any indication, it’s never been more alive! Have you played Black Myth Wukong yet? What do you think of the game’s record-breaking launch? Let us know in the comments below!
