Feng Ji, CEO of Game Science, expressed disappointment with the selection process for Game of the Year (GOTY) at The Game Awards 2024 after Black Myth: Wukong fell short of winning the top honor.

Black Myth: Wukong, an action game inspired by the Chinese classic Journey to the West, launched in August to widespread acclaim as China’s first AAA console action title. Within a month, the game sold over 20 million copies and was named Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards in November.

At The Game Awards 2024, held on December 13, the title earned nominations in five categories, including GOTY, Best Action Game, Best Art Direction, Best Game Direction, and Players' Voice. While the game secured wins for Best Action Game and Players' Voice, it ultimately lost the GOTY award to Astro Bot by Team Asobi, which dominated the night with four wins, including Best Family Game and Best Action/Adventure Game.

On December 14, Feng Ji took to Weibo to share his frustration, stating, “I don’t understand TGA’s GOTY selection criteria. I regret attending.” He added, “I wrote my GOTY acceptance speech two years ago, but I didn’t get to use it.” Feng acknowledged the dissatisfaction among gamers and aligned himself with their sentiments, calling it “normal.” Despite the setback, he emphasized the team’s perseverance throughout Black Myth: Wukong's development, release, and subsequent updates, promising to deliver even better games that share Chinese stories with global audiences.

Chinese gamers also reacted strongly to the GOTY loss, voicing their displeasure on platforms like Steam and social media. Some targeted Larian Studios' Swen Vincke, who presented the GOTY award, leaving negative reviews and critical comments.

Global media outlets such as The Gamer and Eurogamer reported on Feng’s remarks, particularly his controversial “I regret attending” statement. These reports highlighted the irony of Feng’s frustration, given that Black Myth: Wukong still won Best Action Game and Players’ Voice—significant achievements in their own right. Former Santa Monica Studio writer Alana Pearce, who attended the event, further revealed on a live stream that members of the Black Myth: Wukong team were visibly emotional and upset when the GOTY winner was announced.

Critics noted that Black Myth: Wukong's Metacritic score was among the lowest of the GOTY nominees, potentially contributing to its loss. They also mentioned ongoing rumors about new downloadable content (DLC) in development, suggesting that the game’s future still holds promise.

While the disappointment over the GOTY result lingers, Black Myth: Wukong's critical success and dedicated fanbase reinforce its status as a landmark achievement for Chinese game development. Game Science’s next steps are anticipated with high interest, as the studio aims to build on its global recognition and further elevate the presence of Chinese storytelling in the gaming industry.

Sayart / Jack Lee, wangjb77@gmail.com