The highly anticipated soulslike game Black Myth: Wukong by Chinese indie developer Game Science is facing scrutiny over its developers' history of sexist remarks, creating a buzz in both international and domestic markets. Slated for release in 2024, Black Myth: Wukong quickly gained popularity after a 13-minute pre-alpha trailer was released in 2020, reaching millions of views and marking it as a potential pinnacle for China's AAA game industry.

Despite its acclaim, Game Science has come under fire for multiple instances of sexism, leading to a serious backlash particularly from female gamers and industry professionals. The studio has published controversial recruitment posters, and members have made derogatory comments and social media posts involving crude sexual content and innuendos. This behavior reflects a broader issue in the Chinese tech and gaming industry, where sexism has historically been rampant and often overlooked.

While near half of China's gamer population is female, women still struggle for inclusion and equality within the gaming community. Criticism of Game Science's sexist behavior has led to heated debates on Chinese social media, with many gamers defending the studio while others vow not to support the game. This controversy highlights the conflict between a maturing game development scene in China and the enduring sexism in broader gaming culture.

As Game Science prepares for the international release of Black Myth: Wukong, they are increasingly pressured to address these allegations and consider their potential global audience who may not tolerate such sexist attitudes. The studio's response, or lack thereof, may significantly impact the reception of their game and could mark a pivotal moment for the place of women in gaming: both in China and worldwide.

Keywords: Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science, sexism in gaming, Chinese indie developer, soulslike game, international release, AAA game industry, gaming community, female gamers, controversy.