Black Myth: Wukong proved to be far more successful than PM Studios expected when the publisher agreed to handle its physical release. Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios, now describes the game as one of the company’s “biggest risks”, but says its performance ultimately exceeded anything he had anticipated.
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Yum reflected on PM Studios’ experience with the action RPG and explained how its unexpected success became a defining moment for the publisher. The company has spent years bringing games from Asian developers to Western markets, but Black Myth: Wukong delivered a result that stood apart from its previous releases.
Black Myth: Wukong Was a Major Risk for PM Studios
PM Studios had experience publishing physical games from Korea and China before taking on Black Myth: Wukong. However, Yum admitted that the scale of Game Science’s project made the deal a significant gamble.
“I didn’t know it was going to be that big. When it took off, yeah, it was quite an experience. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Yum described Black Myth: Wukong as “one of our biggest risks” before explaining just how dramatically its success changed the situation for PM Studios.
“That one covered everything else.”
The comment highlights the extraordinary impact the game had on the publisher’s business. Rather than simply becoming another successful physical release, Black Myth: Wukong generated a level of demand that Yum says effectively outweighed the performance of the company’s other projects.
PM Studios Wants to Take Bigger Risks
The success of Black Myth: Wukong has also influenced PM Studios’ approach to future publishing opportunities. Yum said the company now wants to
“take bigger risks on bigger IPs”,
while continuing to support projects across different parts of the games market.
That includes the publisher’s work with Telltale on The Wolf Among Us 2. Yum said funding was a major part of PM Studios’ involvement, with the company offering investment alongside marketing, production and operational support to help the project reach completion.
PM Studios is also increasingly interested in AA games, which Yum believes can stand out in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace. He pointed to improved visuals as one reason audiences are becoming more interested in games between traditional indie and AAA productions.
Black Myth: Wukong Also Strengthened PM Studios’ China Focus
Yum’s experience with Black Myth: Wukong has also contributed to his optimism about Chinese developers. He praised the speed and talent of teams he has worked with in China, saying they can produce impressive games quickly and efficiently.
He believes Chinese developers are “setting the bar” for the wider industry, particularly in development speed and production costs. For PM Studios, Black Myth: Wukong therefore represents more than one successful physical release. It has become an example of the opportunities available when the publisher takes a major risk on a promising game and developer.
