Black Myth Wukong's Physical Sales Success Helps Retailers Stay in Business

While the gaming industry continues its push toward digital-only releases, Black Myth: Wukong is proving there's still life—and profit—in physical game copies. According to PM Studios CEO Mike Yum, the game’s disc version hasn’t just sold well—it’s helped keep stores in business.

In an interview with TheGamer, Yum confirmed that physical sales of Black Myth: Wukong have remained “very healthy,” though he couldn’t reveal exact numbers due to developer Game Science’s privacy request. What he did share, though, paints a clear picture of a game whose retail success has reached beyond expectations.

“I got a lot of calls during Christmas and after the New Year's thanking me and saying that it saved their business,” Yum said.

Originally released digitally for PlayStation 5 and PC on August 20, physical versions of Black Myth: Wukong followed and became a surprise retail powerhouse. While most modern releases prioritize or even limit themselves to digital formats, this game’s disc-based edition gained serious traction—especially in regions where fast, cheap internet isn’t guaranteed.

Yum highlighted specific markets like Spain and Italy, where data costs and download speeds make 100+ GB downloads a major barrier. “In places where they still don't have advanced internet technology, they won't download a 100-gigabyte disk because they're paying per data,” he explained.

The result? Black Myth: Wukong became a go-to purchase for those gamers—and a win for retailers relying on physical media to stay afloat.

Global Appeal, Shelf Power

While Black Myth: Wukong is deeply rooted in Chinese mythology, it’s clear the game’s appeal transcends borders. Earlier sales data showed that more than 30% of the game’s sales came from outside China, with international sales surpassing 7 million units as of February.

Yum also emphasized how valuable physical copies are when it comes to discoverability. “A game on a store shelf might catch someone’s eye who didn’t know it existed. That’s a huge advantage that digital storefronts just don’t offer in the same way,” he added.

In contrast, online stores are crammed with thousands of titles, often burying lesser-known games in a sea of content. Physical copies, in this case, serve as marketing tools and purchase options.

A Win for Physical Media

The strong performance of Black Myth: Wukong comes at a time when physical media is facing increasing pressure. Major retailers like GAME in the UK and GameStop in the US have been downsizing in recent years, with store closures and job losses reflecting a broader shift toward digital gaming ecosystems.

But this game’s success is a reminder that physical formats still have a place—especially in underserved markets or among collectors and traditional gamers who still value the tactile experience.

As Game Science's first major console title, Black Myth: Wukong has broken sales records on Steam, earned global praise, and proven that with the right product and timing, disc-based games can still pack a punch in 2025’s digital-heavy world.