Black Myth: Zhong Kui Shares Behind-the-Scenes Production Images
Game Science has released a 6-minute real-time Lunar New Year short video for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, sparking discussion within the gaming community. The studio’s co-founder and art director, Yang Qi, subsequently shared behind-the-scenes production images on social media with the caption: “Thanks for the hard work, fellow chefs. Happy early New Year.” The video represents the first real-time content for the highly anticipated title, though it notably focuses entirely on food preparation scenes rather than combat or gameplay mechanics. Game Science founder Feng Ji has positioned the video as a “Horse Year New Year gift” and humorously remarked that “life isn’t just about games, there’s also plenty of good food,” urging players not to overanalyze the content.
Despite being the first real-time footage for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, the short video exclusively depicts characters preparing meals without showing any combat, gameplay systems, or even the titular character Zhong Kui himself. This unconventional approach has generated significant discussion among fans who were expecting traditional gameplay reveals. The video’s focus on culinary artistry serves as a creative departure from standard game marketing, emphasizing atmospheric world-building over action sequences. Yang Qi’s behind-the-scenes images provide a glimpse into the production process that went into creating these detailed food preparation sequences.
Yang Qi revealed that the dish featured in the video was inspired by an impromptu creation from a chef surnamed Liu at West Lake Tea House. The development team visited the chef’s home for animation reference, during which Chef Liu prepared the soup dish in person. To accommodate complex camera movements and achieve cinematic quality, the production team employed extensive technical flourishes during filming. The ingredients and seasonings used were nearly double the normal amount compared to everyday cooking, resulting in a more visually striking presentation that enhances the video’s artistic impact.
Yang Qi confirmed that the studio plans to release additional behind-the-scenes footage at a later date, providing further insight into the production process. The Lunar New Year video serves primarily as a seasonal greeting rather than a traditional gameplay reveal, reflecting the developers’ creative approach to engaging with their audience. While this unconventional marketing strategy has certainly generated buzz, it leaves many questions unanswered about the actual gameplay mechanics and combat systems that will define Black Myth: Zhong Kui. The attention to detail in the culinary scenes suggests the same level of craftsmanship will likely extend to the game’s core features when they are eventually revealed.
