China Focus: Chinese Gaming Scene Draws Global Audiences Through Culture-Driven Craft
by Xinhua writers Cao Pengyuan, Xu Lingui and Huo Siying
GUANGZHOU, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese-made video games, once relatively obscure on the world stage, are now sparking growing excitement among players worldwide. Their rising capabilities in world-building and storytelling are grounded in Chinese cultural elements.
A prime example is "Where Winds Meet," an open-world action-adventure RPG by Everstone Studio and NetEase Games. Since its overseas release last month, the title has surpassed 9 million players in just two weeks.
Set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (907–979), the game envisions an ancient Wuxia world—martial-arts chivalry and heroic legends—utilizing cutting-edge game engine technology, immersive audio-visuals, and motion capture.
On Steam, the game has earned consistently positive reviews. One player praised it for exceeding expectations, highlighting strong story and immersion, with satisfying exploration and combat mechanics.
Another reviewer noted a growing enthusiasm for globally released Chinese games, saying their appreciation for Chinese culture deepens through these experiences. The sentiment resonates with fans of Chinese dramas, who feel increasingly connected to Chinese storytelling traditions.
"Where Winds Meet" is not alone in attracting international fans by weaving a distinctive Chinese flavor into its world. For instance, NetEase Games’ multiplayer shooter "Marvel Rivals"—a finalist for the 2025 Game Awards—has earned critical praise for its motion design. It blends Marvel aesthetics with traditional Chinese martial arts, creating a hybrid that appeals to fans of both Western IPs and Eastern fusing styles.
"We reimagined existing heroes with Chinese elements or backstories and infused them with Eastern design and storytelling," explained Jiang Tao, Marvel Rivals’ lead operations designer. The in-game character Iron Fist, for example, incorporates Wing Chun and Tai Chi from Chinese martial arts and nods to Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do.
Jiang emphasized that collaborations with globally recognized IPs allow Chinese culture to reach wider audiences in a relatable and engaging way.
Another title, "Wuthering Waves" by Guangzhou-based Kuro Games, has drawn players at home and abroad with a similar emphasis on expansive world-building. Its international popularity helped it win a fan-voted Players’ Voice award at the 2025 Game Awards.
Designer Jiang Wen described how traditional Chinese elements appear in the game’s environments, such as Jinzhou City’s architecture and color palette, inspired by Hui-style design with black-tiled roofs, white walls, and horse-head gable walls. He noted that familiar Chinese cultural cues will be instantly recognized by some players, while others will encounter something refreshingly novel.
Chinese games have drawn unprecedented global attention since the breakout success of last year’s "Black Myth: Wukong." This high-budget standalone title, drawing heavily from the Ming Dynasty-era classic "Journey to the West," sold more than 10 million copies in three days and earned awards from major outlets such as The Game Awards and the Golden Joystick.
Overseas influencer David Johnson Kim told Xinhua that Chinese games have proven they can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s top titles, pointing to advances not only in technical prowess but also in world-building and storytelling.
Data from the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association shows that China’s homegrown games—across single-player, mobile, and online genres—generated approximately $9.5 billion in overseas revenue in the first half of 2025, up more than 11% year over year.
Lu Xiaokun, executive president of the Guangdong Entertainment and Game Industry Association, attributes this global expansion to two main factors: the adoption of new technologies and diversification of game genres, backed by China’s growing cultural influence worldwide.
"New technologies, empowerment through innovation, fresh perspectives—these resonate strongly with younger players," Lu said.
Tao Feng, director of the Institute of Industrial Economics at Jinan University, added that by reviving traditional culture within virtual worlds, games let young audiences globally immerse themselves in Chinese culture, interact with young people in China, and build stronger emotional and cultural connections.
Kim summed up his view: Chinese games are no longer simply following trends; many are setting them and competing on a global stage.
