Game Science
 | |
Native name | 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 |
Game Science (Chinese: 游戏科学; pinyin: Yóuxì Kēxué) is a Chinese video game development and publishing company known for its representative work Black Myth: Wukong. It is headquartered in Shenzhen with an additional office in Hangzhou.
Background
[edit]In 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.[1][2]
Game Science released the mobile games, 100 Heroes and Art of War: Red Tides before deciding to focus on the development Black Myth: Wukong in 2017. The decision to develop an AAA game came after the realisation that there were more Steam users from China than the US. Some of the company employees moved to Hangzhou to work on the new project.[1][2]
In August 2020, Game Science released the first trailer of Black Myth: Wukong as a way to recruit more talent for the company. Due to the trailer going viral, Game Science received over 10,000 resumes. 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. A day after the trailer's release, there were people showing up at the door of the company asking for a job.[1]
In March 2021, Tencent acquired a 5% minority stake in Game Science. Tencent stated it would only provide technical support and would not interfere with operation and decision-making of Game Science.[3]
Controversies
[edit]Allegations of sexism
[edit]On 20 November 2023, IGN released an article that detailed sexist incidents related to the company. Its co-founders were documented to have made comments on Chinese social media that were deemed as sexist. In addition the company was said to have engaged in sexist behavior such as publishing several recruitment posters in 2015 that featured suggestive images.[4]
The article received criticism that the comments on Chinese social media were mistranslated and while they were vulgar, they were not sexist. In June 2024, IGN released a statement on the article defending its claims.[5]
Games and products
[edit]| Year | English | Chinese |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 100 Heroes | 百將行
Bǎi Jiāng Xíng |
| 2017 | 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 Young, Charles (11 September 2020). "Black Myth: Wukong - The World Exclusive Story Behind the Breakout Action-RPG". IGN. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ a b Ye, Josh (21 August 2020). "Black Myth: Wukong in race to become China's first AAA game". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Jia, Liu (30 March 2021). "[Exclusive] Tencent Lifts Stake in Indie Studio Game Science to Draw Closer, Source Says". www.yicaiglobal.com. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Valentine, Rebekah; Chan, Khee Hoon (20 November 2023). "How Black Myth: Wukong Developer's History of Sexism Is Complicating its Journey to the West". IGN. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ Gherzo, Alex (16 June 2024). "IGN Used Mistranslated Comments From Black Myth: Wukong Developer - Geeks + Gamers". Retrieved 18 August 2024.