Game Science Interactive Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 游戏科学; pinyin: Yóuxì Kēxué) is a Chinese video game development and publishing company known for its first internationally released premium game Black Myth: Wukong (2024). It is headquartered in Shenzhen with an additional office in Hangzhou.
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Native name | 天津市游科互动科技有限公司 杭州游科互动科技有限公司 深圳市游科互动科技有限公司 |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | June 13, 2014 |
| Founders | Feng Ji Yang Qi |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, Guangdong, China |
Key people | Feng Ji (CEO) |
| Products | Black Myth: Wukong |
| Website | gamesci |
History
editIn 2014, Game Science was founded in Shenzhen by seven ex-Tencent Games employees. They had previously worked on a free-to-play MMORPG called Asura Online which was based on The Legend of Wukong, an online novel adapted from Journey to the West.[1][2][3]
Game Science released the mobile games 100 Heroes and Art of War: Red Tides before they started the development of Black Myth: Wukong in 2018.[2] The decision to develop an AAA game, according to operations director Lan Weiyi, came after the realization that there were more Steam users from China than the US.[2] Game Science decided to have a team focused on mobile games and a team focused on single-player games.[4] The Black Myth project's development team moved from Shenzhen to Hangzhou due to "slower pace and lower living costs".[3]
In August 2020, Game Science released the first trailer of Black Myth: Wukong as a way to recruit more talent for the company.[1] At the time, the game's development team had 30 members.[1] Due to the trailer going viral, Game Science received over 10,000 resumes.[1] Some were from AAA gaming companies with candidates even from outside of China who were willing to apply for a Chinese working visa at their own cost.[1] A day after the trailer's release, there were people showing up at the door of the company asking for a job.[1] The development team expanded to 140 employees according to the game's credit list.[3]
Hero Games acquired a 19% stake in Game Science through its wholly-owned subsidiary Tianjin Hero Financial Holding Technology in 2017, but sold the stake in 2022.[3] As reported in March 2021, Tencent increased its stake in Game Science to 5%.[5] They aimed to help their former employees on some projects, but committed to not interfering with the operation and decision-making of Game Science.[5]
Games and products
edit| Year | English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 100 Heroes | 百將行 | Bǎi Jiāng Xíng |
| 2016 | Art of War: Red Tides | 战争艺术：赤潮 | Zhànzhēng Yìshù: Chìcháo |
| 2024 | Black Myth: Wukong | 黑神话：悟空 | Hēishénhuà: Wùkōng |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Young, Charles (11 September 2020). "Black Myth: Wukong - The World Exclusive Story Behind the Breakout Action-RPG". IGN. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Ye, Josh (21 August 2020). "Black Myth: Wukong martial arts title in race to become China's first AAA game". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 24 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Cao, Ann; Le, Kelly (22 August 2024). "Black Myth: Wukong's popularity brings unexpected windfall, fame to low-profile developer". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ 祝佳音 (21 August 2020). "如今我风华正茂：游戏科学是如何制造《黑神话：悟空》的 - 触乐". Chuapp.
- ^ a b Jia, Liu (30 March 2021). "[Exclusive] Tencent Lifts Stake in Indie Studio Game Science to Draw Closer, Source Says". www.yicaiglobal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.