The action RPG Black Myth: Wukong has earned significant recognition, securing three prestigious awards at the 2024 Steam Awards, including the coveted Game of the Year title. This comes after a challenging awards season, where the game was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2024 but ultimately lost to Astro Bot.
alt dominated the 2024 Steam Awards, earning three accolades, including Game of the Year, solidifying its place among the year’s top titles.
Held annually since 2016, the Steam Awards are determined by the votes of Steam users, coinciding with Valve’s seasonal sales. Black Myth: Wukong‘s victory places it alongside previous GOTY winners like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring, and Baldur’s Gate 3. The competition was fierce, with other nominees including the indie card game Balatro and the action-packed Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. However, Black Myth: Wukong ultimately emerged victorious.
A Journey from Pre-Alpha Hype to Global Success
Developed by Chinese studio Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong draws inspiration from the classic novel Journey to the West. Players embody the Destined One in this action RPG, which garnered immense attention even before its release. A pre-alpha trailer amassed over two million views on YouTube within 24 hours, demonstrating the game’s early potential. This popularity translated into a massive following on Steam, where Black Myth: Wukong held the top spot on the wishlist and pre-order charts. Within its first 24 hours of launch, the game attracted over 2.2 million players on Steam, setting a record for single-player games on the platform.
From The Game Awards Disappointment to Steam Awards Triumph
Black Myth: Wukong received multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2024, including Best Game Director, Best Action Game, and Game of the Year. While the game secured the Player’s Choice and Best Action Game awards, the loss of the GOTY title was a significant disappointment for the development team. Game Science CEO Feng Ji (Yocar) expressed his frustration in a letter, questioning the judging criteria and the team’s journey to the event. Reports also surfaced of the team’s visible distress during Astro Bot‘s GOTY acceptance speech.
The Significance of the Steam Awards Win
The Steam Awards, while based on community voting, represent a substantial achievement for Black Myth: Wukong. This win adds to the game’s growing list of accolades, which currently stands at approximately 18. Although the Steam Awards voting process differs from more rigorous awards like the D.I.C.E. Awards (nominations yet to be announced), the recognition further validates the game’s widespread appeal and success. Black Myth: Wukong‘s future in the awards circuit remains promising, with the potential for even more recognition in the coming months.
