Film-Game Integration: Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism Imagery and Gamified Visual Aesthetics in “Black Myth: Wukong”

Abstract

“Black Myth: Wukong” is a AAA-level game that integrates Chinese Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism thought, reinterpreting Chinese traditional culture through the modern game media to construct a virtual world with rich layers and profound implications. This study analyzes how video games integrate traditional cultural elements into narrative mechanisms and visual design, exploring how the gaming medium transcends conventional frameworks to highlight its unique aesthetic value. The game’s narrative framework features fragmented, nonlinear, and multidimensional characteristics, allowing the player’s choices to directly impact the game’s progression and outcomes, reflecting a deep engagement with Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoist philosophical thoughts. In its visual design, the game utilizes cinematic visual effects and rich oriental charm scene design to reproduce the natural landscape in Oriental aesthetics. At the same time, the visual rhythm and colour design embody the imagery of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism traditions, highlighting the unique qualities of Oriental colour aesthetics. “Black Myth: Wukong” demonstrates how modern digital media can bring traditional culture to life in an engaging, accessible way for younger generations, offering the gaming industry new perspectives on cultural preservation and innovation while showcasing the potential for maintaining and fostering cultural confidence within a globalized context.