Gaming
Culture
Web novels, web dramas and video games: China’s holy trinity of cultural exports reaches Singapore
Once confined to niche online platforms, China’s web novels, web dramas and video games are now taking the world by storm. In Singapore, local youths are embracing these cultural exports, which are rekindling an interest in Chinese culture. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhu Yuxuan explores their appeal to Singaporean audiences.
Zhu Yuxuan
Society
[Big read] Why China’s funniest women are also its most controversial
As Chinese female stand-up comedians challenge deep-rooted gender norms, critics accuse them of fuelling gender divides. But comedy is only exposing what has long festered across film, gaming, and public life. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi finds out more.
Zeng Shi
Society
Revenge on Gold Diggers: China’s hottest game sparks gender war
A new video game in China has reignited the gender debate, with its premise of women as “gold diggers”. Is it misogynistic, or realistic? Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks at the line between raising fraud awareness and pointing fingers.
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
Technology
What does the success of Hangzhou’s ‘Six Little Dragons’ mean for China?
What China’s recent tech upstarts — known as the “Six Little Dragons” — have in common is that they all emerged from Hangzhou. What edge does Hangzhou have over other cities in China that enabled such unprecedented success? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan tells us more.
Yu Zeyuan
Economy
[Big read] Chinese games rake in 100 billion RMB from overseas users
Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zeng Shi looks at the Chinese gaming industry and the hit games it has exported overseas in the last decade, including the recent popular title Black Myth: Wukong. While intense competition makes it difficult for gaming companies to survive, heading overseas might be the way to go.
Zeng Shi
Culture
Black Myth: Wukong a reflection of Chinese dilemma under CCP rule
Chinese video game hit Black Myth: Wukong speaks about universal ideals of the human race, says researcher Ng Kum Hoon, giving it the innate potential to appeal to people of all cultures. At the same time, could the plot’s ending be an allegory of the systems we live in today?
Ng Kum Hoon
Technology
How Black Myth: Wukong found success amid China’s gaming crackdown
Technology specialist Yin Ruizhi notes amid the media’s misconception about China’s crackdown on gaming, there is actually a consensus among industry practitioners that officials are still supportive of the industry’s development.
Yin Ruizhi
Culture
How Black Myth: Wukong navigates China’s political and cultural trends
Black Myth: Wukong has revived interest in everything Monkey King, but the Chinese video game has also been criticised for not fully capturing the original myth. Even so, the game has given the Chinese gaming industry a boost, even though government endorsement may shift the focus from design to politics. Academic Ying Zhu explores the magic of Monkey King.
Ying Zhu
Society
[Video] Is Black Myth: Wukong China’s most successful video game?
Developed by Game Science and backed by Tencent, Chinese video game Black Myth: Wukong achieved a series of feats: ten million copies of the game sold in 83 hours; at its peak, over three million concurrent players; and second place on Steam’s “all-time peak” list. What do gamers love about this game? ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out.
Yi Jina
Culture
Wuxia novelist Jin Yong’s legacy minus the Hong Kong factor
On the centenary of his birth, Jin Yong the wuxia writer extraordinaire is respected and remembered for his contribution to the wuxia genre of novels, film and television. At the same time, note researcher Ng Kum Hoon and academic Lian-Hee Wee, the Jin Yong canon is increasingly becoming a cherished “classic” for generations growing old, and yet more distant to the post-millennials.
Ng Kum Hoon
Economy
No more easy wins for Chinese mobile games in overseas markets
With games companies outside of China stepping up their efforts with quality games, Chinese games companies are increasingly feeling the challenge in maintaining their position in the industry. How will the industry develop from here? Zaobao journalists Li Kang and Lee Chan Hui find out.
Li Kang