A new video game called Black Myth: Wukong has become a phenomenon after its release. Developed and published by Chinese studio Game Science, it recently reached 2.2 million concurrent players on the platform Steam, breaking the record for the highest number of concurrent players for a single-player game.
Black Myth: Wukong is particularly popular in its home country China, becoming the most-streamed game during its first day of release on August 19. During its first week, the game also boosted sales for the PlayStation 5 in China.
Last week, Game Science announced they had sold 10 million copies of the game and achieved three million concurrent players across all platforms, making it a runaway success. But what is Black Myth: Wukong? And why has it become so popular among gamers?
Black Myth: Wukong is adapted from the Chinese novel Journey to the West, which was first published in 1592. Written by Wu Cheng'en, the book is based on the seventh century pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang (602–664) to India in search of sacred texts.
The main character in the game is Sun Wukong, who features in the novel and is described as a monkey king born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices. The character possesses immense strength and speed, making him one of the earliest examples of a superhero.
Journey to the West has been a literary staple of China and the wider south-east Asian region since its publication. Throughout the years, many translations and have made their way across the continent. The first significant English version was done in 1942 by sinologist Arthur Waley.
The story has also been adapted into theatrical plays, operas, a long running television series and big blockbuster film epics. Here are some of the other most notable adaptations:
Dragon Ball (1984)
In 1984 Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama created Dragon Ball, which was heavily inspired by Journey to the West. The Chinese novel served as the base story, with Toriyama substituting the characters with his own creations. The main character, Goku, for example, is a stand-in for Sun Wukong.
Toriyama’s intention was to take the blueprint set by Journey to the West and add Kung-fu elements to it, making it more exciting to new audiences in the 1980s. The result was, to put it mildly, an incredible success.
Dragon Ball’s 42 collected volumes have sold more than 160 million copies in Japan and 260 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. The manga also spawned a long-running cartoon series which also sprouted feature length films. Today, the Dragon Ball fandom finds strongholds not only in Asia but across Europe, the US and Mexico.
Journey to the West (1986)
One of the more memorable adaptations for Chinese audiences, this long-running television series produced by CCTV in 1986 can be found playing on TV in the background of any Chinese food eatery around the world.
The show stars Liu Xiao Ling Tong as Sun Wukong, a part that he would play for years between 1986 and 2000. He reprised the role for a new adaptation in 2010, making him the actor most associated with portraying the Monkey King character to Chinese audiences.
The first season of the show was intended to have 30 episodes but was cut down to 25 due to budget restraints. The five remaining episodes were the basis for the second season. The first season is a permanent fixture on Chinese television, airing several times every year and attracting more fans in the process.
Monkey (1978)
Another television adaptation is this one from Japan, which began in 1978 and continued until 1980. Produced by Nippon TV, 52 episodes were produced across two seasons. The show was even dubbed in English in 1979 for audiences in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
The main character, Sun Wukong, was named Son Goku in Japanese and was portrayed by Masaaki Sakai. English actor David Collings dubbed the character in the English language version. Other notable names that contributed to the English language dub include Peter Woodthorpe, Andrew Sachs and Miriam Margolyes.
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013)
Hong Kong cinema's renowned Stephen Chow co-directs this adaptation alongside Chi-Kin Kwok. Chow, who is known for directing bombastic martial arts films such as Kung-fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer, returned after a five-year hiatus to take on this adaptation.
This film is a good way to enjoy the story without committing to a long-running television show, presenting the tale of the Monkey King in Chow’s signature style of slapstick comedy and powerful fight scenes.
Upon its release in China on February 13, 2013, the film set several box office records, most importantly becoming the biggest first day opening by amassing $12.5 million in ticket sales. After its global release, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons became the highest-grossing Chinese language film ever, taking in $215 million from ticket sales.
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Naga
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMeshal%20Al%20Jaser%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EAdwa%20Bader%2C%20Yazeed%20Almajyul%2C%20Khalid%20Bin%20Shaddad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Wonka
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Paul%20King%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ETimothee%20Chalamet%2C%20Olivia%20Colman%2C%20Hugh%20Grant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
