Black Myth: Wukong Dominates Spain's First GEM Awards

Black Myth: Wukong swept the inaugural GEM Awards in Seville last weekend, claiming the prestigious "Gem of the Year" trophy (kinda GOTY) along with 3 other major awards.

The Chinese action RPG based on "Journey to the West" stood out among fierce competition like Astro Bot, Balatro, and Elden Ring at Spain's first major gaming awards show.

The GEM Awards ceremony combined an expo, community gathering, and awards gala, drawing over 4,000 in-person attendees and more than 180,000 online viewers.

Black Myth: Wukong's Triumph

Black Myth: Wukong didn't just win the top prize—it dominated multiple categories, also taking home:

• Best Art Direction

• Best Debut (New IP)

• Best Action/Adventure Game

Developed by Chinese studio Game Science, Black Myth: Wukong has been praised for its stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and fresh interpretation of Chinese mythology.

To date, over 25 million units have been sold, with 30% of these sales coming from outside China, highlighting international acclaim.

The game has also been a hit on Steam, where it peaked at 2.4 million concurrent players, ranking just behind PUBG in terms of all-time peak player count

The First-Ever GEM Awards

Hosted by popular personalities Míster Jägger and Maya Pixelskaya, the gala recognized excellence across 30 different gaming categories. According to the organizers, all winners were determined through public voting, with 266,538 votes submitted through the official website.

"What happened in Seville this weekend was historic. GEM Awards didn't just meet expectations—it exceeded them," said Pedro García, Co-founder of GEM Awards. The event's official Twitch channel recorded more than 450,000 views throughout the weekend.

Other Notable Winners

While Black Myth: Wukong dominated the headlines, other games also received recognition:

• Astro Bot won three awards: Best All-Ages Game, Best Platformer, and Best Console Exclusive

• Balatro claimed three titles: Indie Gem 2024, Best Strategy Game, and Best Mobile Game

• Silent Hill 2 won Best Narrative and Best Remaster/Remake

• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree received Best Soundtrack and Best DLC/Expansion

Entertainment and Tributes

The two-hour gala featured performances by content creators such as Borja Pavón, Alex White, and Zorman, along with live music from artists including Elesky, Carlos Viola, and Noly.

The ceremony also paid tribute to legendary voice actors. Alfonso Vallés, María Luisa Solà, Vicente Gil, Rafael Azcárraga, and Lorenzo Beteta received special recognition for their contributions to the gaming industry.

Complete Winners List

The full list of winners showcases the diversity of games recognized at the event:

• Gem of the Year 2024: Black Myth: Wukong

• Best Art Direction: Black Myth: Wukong

• Best Debut (New IP): Black Myth: Wukong

• Best Action/Adventure Game: Black Myth: Wukong

• Best All-Ages Game: Astro Bot

• Best Platformer: Astro Bot

• Best Console Exclusive: Astro Bot

• Indie Gem 2024: Balatro

• Best Strategy Game: Balatro

• Best Mobile Game: Balatro

• Best Soundtrack: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

• Best DLC/Expansion: Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

• Best Narrative: Silent Hill 2

• Best Remaster/Remake: Silent Hill 2

• Best Film/TV Adaptation: Arcane (Season 2)

• Best VR Game: Batman: Arkham Shadow

• Anti-Gem 2024: Concord

• Best Retro Game of 1994: Donkey Kong Country

• Best Fighting Game: Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero

• Best Sports Game: EA Sports FC 25

• Best Racing Game: F1 24

• Best RPG: Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

• Best Live Service Game: Fortnite

• Best Early Access Game: Hades II

• Best Shooter: Helldivers 2

• Best Protagonist 2024: James Sunderland (Silent Hill 2)

• Best Spanish/Latin American Game: Neva

• Best GAAS (Game as a Service) 2024: Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket

• Best Villain 2024: Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth)

• Best Ecosystem 2024: They Stole the GEM

"This first edition is just the beginning. We're building a platform that connects, supports, and gives visibility to talent, community, and gaming brands—from here, to the world," García explained in the press release.