How Black Myth: Wukong Got Robbed at The Game Awards
The Game Awards Show Their True Colors
From the first trailer, Black Myth: Wukong captivated the gaming world with jaw-dropping visuals, stunning combat mechanics, and a narrative rooted in rich Chinese mythology.
Game Science delivered something we rarely see in AAA gaming—a unique blend of artistry and action that didn’t feel watered down for mass appeal.
Now compare that to Astro Bot, which, sure, was charming and polished, but let’s be real—it’s a platformer that could have come out on the PS4 and no one would have noticed. What Astro Bot lacks is the cultural depth and sheer ambition that Wukong brought to the table.
Let’s toss some truth bombs into the ring, eh?
- Sales Figures: Wukong sold over 10 million copies in its first two months, dwarfing Astro Bot’s mediocre 3 million.
- Player Engagement: At its peak, Wukong had 1.2 million concurrent players on Steam alone, a number Astro Bot couldn’t dream of hitting, especially since it was a PS5 exclusive.
- Playstation Release Numbers: Upon release on its own exclusive platform, Astro Bot was still only 4th in PS5 player numbers according to TrueTrophies.com (not counting DLCs which would place it at a laughable 6th) in September after it’s release.
Image Credit: Black Myth: Wukong | Game Science
The gaming community spoke loud and clear: Black Myth: Wukong wasn’t just a game—it was an experience. But did that matter to the judges?
Nope.
Media Bias and A Rigged Game Awards Panel?
Here’s the dirty little secret of The Game Awards: it seems like it’s not about what gamers love—it’s about what legacy media and their corporate overlords want you to love. This year’s panel was stacked with left-leaning organizations and journalists who collectively held 90% of the voting power.
Gamers? We got the remaining crumbs to give us a sense of agency without any real influence.
Gee, thanks…
So why were they so dead set against Wukong?
In my opinion, it comes down to two simple words: manufactured controversy.
Originally back on 2023, IGN reporter Rebekah Valentine and her cohort Khee Hoon Chan repeatedly smeared Game Science with claims of misogyny and sexism, based on (admittedly crude) social media posts by Game Science employees.
Despite these claims being mostly debunked as a combination of mistranslations, use of informal speech, and liberally translating in the most disingenuous and uncharitable way possible, the damage was done.
The left-wing media turned Wukong into a punching bag, dragging its reputation through the mud while Valentine hid and protected her X account – typical media journo bravery and integrity.
And then there’s Sweet Baby Inc., the notorious “consultants” who offered to “modernize” Wukong for a hefty $7 million, reported by Pirat_Nation on X.com.
>Chinese media: 'Black Myth: Wukong' refused to be extorted $7 million by SweetBaby.
— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) June 14, 2024
English:
The reason why the team behind "Black Myth: Wukong" has been subjected to persistent sexist attacks and slander since their first promotional video is because they have consistently… pic.twitter.com/P94rUpVnuI
Game Science supposedly turned them down—thankfully—but Sweet Baby Inc.’s CEO, Kim Belair, has a history of telling teams to use these types of extortionate tactics when studios don’t play ball, so this wouldn’t surprise me at all if it was true.
The refusal painted a target on Wukong’s back, ensuring it would never get the fair shake it deserved.
Legacy Media’s Hatchet Job on Wukong
If you needed further proof of bias, just look at the reviews.
Legacy gaming media outlets tore into Wukong, citing problematic themes and claiming it lacked accessibility and diversity (AKA, it didn’t hold your hand like Astro Bot) and then later when The Game Awards were rolling around – they all started pushing the same “lowest-rated game in The Game Awards” campaign.
Super coincidental, I’m sure.
But when you dig into player reviews, the truth is clear: gamers loved it.
It’s almost like these media outlets had an…agenda? Imagine that.
Astro Bot: Safe, Sanitized, and Soulless
Now, let’s talk about the so-called Game of the Year. Astro Bot is fun—sure. It’s cute and nostalgic, and the platforming is solid. But there’s nothing groundbreaking here. It’s the gaming equivalent of plain toast.
Image Credit: Astro Bot | Team Asobi | Sony Interactive Entertainment
It won because it was safe. Legacy media and judges eat up anything that’s wholesome and inoffensive, especially when it comes from a big-name studio.
Astro Bot was tailor-made for The Game Awards’ playbook:
- Polished but formulaic.
- Nostalgia-baiting for easy votes.
- Zero risk-taking to upset the “modern audience.”
Meanwhile, Wukong dared to be different—and got punished for it.
A Gaming Legacy Tarnished
The Game Awards should celebrate innovation and community love. Instead, they’ve become an echo chamber for legacy media and corporations pushing their agendas. This year’s snub of Wukong wasn’t just a slap in the face to Game Science—it was a slap in the face to gamers.
And for what?
To crown a game that will be forgotten in a year while Wukong continues to dominate discussions and inspire developers?
The Game Awards may have been fun to watch long ago, but their credibility has been circling the drain for years. Even attempting to trademark the name “The Game Awards”, it seems like Geoff Keighley knows that with The Game Awards’ integrity shot – he’s trying desperately to hold onto any semblance of influence within the industry.
Black Myth: Wukong is GOTY to Players
In the end, Black Myth: Wukong did win Best Action Game and Players’ Voice awards – and to gamers is the real Game of the Year.
It pushed boundaries, captivated players, and delivered a story worth remembering. Astro Bot? It played it safe and pandered to a biased panel.
Image Credit: Black Myth: Wukong | Game Science
It’s time for The Game Awards to either fix their system or admit they’re just an industry back-pat parade. Gamers deserve better, and Wukong deserves its crown.
As for next year? Let’s hope the gaming community’s voice gets louder because this kind of nonsense is getting old.
Until then, keep gaming, keep questioning, and maybe take a fat skip on the not-so-funderful-anymore awards show next year altogether.
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