A recent report reveals thatBlack Myth: Wukonghad a budget of $42 million, just one-tenth of what the development ofConcordis said to have cost.
Black Myth: Wukong Cost $42 Million
Few surprises from 2024 can rivalBlack Myth: Wukong, the game by Game Science for PS5 and PC, which still has yet to announce any news regarding its Xbox Series X/S version.
Its stunning visuals and refined Soulslike gameplay would have been enough to guarantee success. However, few anticipated the warm reception it received, especially in its home country, China.
In just three days,Wukongsold ten million copies, a number that doubled within its first month—an achievement very few games can match, made even more significant now that we know the game’s budget.
According to a Chinese publication from the Hangzhou Tax Bureau, the total budget forBlack Myth: Wukongis around 300 million yuan. While 300 million may seem like a large figure, it’s “only” $42.36 million or €38.72 million when converted.
“Our estimate for the development ofBlack Myth: Wukongis slightly over 300 million yuan,” the report states, which also reveals how the agency assisted Game Science in producing the game.
“To help the studio benefit from tax exemptions, we established a communication channel to guide them and standardize their research and development expenses,” the statement explains.
Budget Contrasts Sharply With Western Game Developments
The $42 million figure is even more impressive given the scale ofWukong, a game that stands toe-to-toe with Western AAA titles and surpasses many other soulslike games, at least in terms of visuals.
Notably, the team that developed the game never exceeded 140 people, even after expanding to complete Wukong. The original team in 2020 consisted of only 30 professionals.
Recent reports suggested thatWukong’sbudget could be as high as $70 million, a slightly higher figure that likely includes marketing costs for the game.
Wukong’s budget contrasts sharply with Western game developments, highlighting how modern AAA games have increasingly astronomical budgets. One notable example is Concord, Sony’s failed hero shooter, which reportedly had a budget of nearly $400 million.
Even more significant is the case of Ubisoft’s Skull & Bones. According to recent leaks, its development is rumored to have cost $800 million—20 times more than the budget handled by Game Science.
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