Why Game Science Said No to Sweet Baby Inc's Meddling in Black Myth: Wukong

According to reports from Chinese media, Game Science, the studio behind the upcoming Black Myth Wukong, turned down Sweet Baby Inc.’s consultancy services due to an alleged $7 million price tag.

The developers felt that accepting such an offer could compromise their creative vision and lead to forced inclusivity that might not align with the game’s setting and source material.

What is Sweet Baby Inc., and what do they do?

Sweet Baby Inc. has emerged as a prominent consultancy in the gaming industry, known for advising developers on inclusivity and diversity in their projects.

Their mission is to promote representation across various demographics in video games. However, their methods and the impact of their involvement have become subjects of intense debate among gamers and industry insiders.

Does Sweet Baby Inc. Go Too Far?

While diversity and representation are laudable goals, many argue that Sweet Baby Inc. goes too far in forcing its agenda on developers.  Their “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to consider the unique cultural contexts of different games.

Sweet Baby Inc. is also criticized for a lack of passion for the projects it influences. Some see their involvement as little more than a box-checking exercise, rather than a genuine effort to enrich gaming experiences.

Hype for Black Myth Wukong Is Real

Black Myth: Wukong is an upcoming action RPG scheduled for release on August 20, 2024, for PS5, PC, and later for Xbox Series X/S.

Drawing inspiration from “Journey to the West,” one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, the game lets you play as Sun Wukong (The Monkey King), armed with a magical staff decides to travel the world to seek the Tao and on his journey, he takes on all manner of formidable foes.

Thus, Black Myth: Wukong is a game rooted heavily in Chinese Mythology, leaving very little scope for Sweet Baby to interfere.

It’s currently the most wish-listed title on Steam, reflecting high anticipation from the gaming community.