Reports from Portal iXBT.games, citing Chinese media, allege that Sweet Baby Inc. is pressing for a seven‑million dollar arrangement from the developers behind Black Myth: Wukong, a game created by Game Science. The claims describe the company as pushing Western‑oriented strategic goals into the project and seeking to monetize its involvement at an exceptionally high price.
According to the same sources, Sweet Baby Inc. has pursued a multi‑year approach to secure collaboration with Game Science, the studio responsible for Black Myth: Wukong. The developers reportedly declined the proposed engagement due to the prohibitive cost, which was cited as seven million dollars, equivalent to roughly six hundred twenty‑three million rubles, a figure that would cover a broad scope of services and influence over production decisions.
Shortly after these reported discussions, critics pointed to perceived gaps in ethnic diversity within the Black Myth: Wukong team, arguing that such gaps clashed with contemporary Western expectations for inclusive development practices. The reaction reflected broader debates about representation in the gaming industry and the perceived role of external consultants in shaping character design and narrative perspectives.
Industry observers who weighed in on the situation attributed the alleged information campaign to the studio’s refusal to engage with Sweet Baby Inc., suggesting that the firm specializes in promoting diverse character attributes, political viewpoints, and other identity markers as part of its service portfolio. The discussions drew attention to the tension between creative independence and externally driven diversity programs within game development.
Public sentiment online leaned toward characterizing the events as extortion, with many users praising the developers for maintaining autonomy after declining the services. The discourse highlighted a broader pattern where fans express resistance when marketing or consultancy efforts are perceived to override artistic direction or gameplay priorities that initially drew players to a title.
Black Myth: Wukong is currently slated for a release on August 20 for PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox Series X/S version facing an indefinite delay attributed to technical hurdles tied to optimization. This timing has kept fans attentive while the development team works through performance challenges that affect multiple platforms. The situation underscores the practical realities of cross‑platform development and the impact of optimization on launch schedules.
Earlier coverage noted that a body representing national interests, the IOC, announced the creation of Olympic eSports Games, signaling a broader push to position competitive gaming within traditional sporting structures. This context adds another layer to discussions about how games travel across markets and how international standards and expectations shape product strategy, marketing, and partnerships—factors that influence both development choices and release plans.