Black Myth: Zhong Kui will not utilize generative AI in its development, as Game Science art director and co-founder Yang Qi said that he and the development team prefer to work on it by hand after seeing Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey. As of this writing, Black Myth: Zhong Kui currently has no release date information.
Initially billed as a sequel to 2024’s Black Myth: Wukong, Game Science’s next project will explore the tales of another Chinese mythological figure. The titular Zhong Kui is a Taoist deity who is said to be a hunter and exterminator of evil spirits that can command a legion of demons to do his bidding. Unlike the agile Sun Wukong, Zhong Kui is said to have been a large and fierce man with an imposing physique. Game Science previously stated that Black Myth: Zhong Kui is being developed for PC and current-gen consoles.
Game Science Isn’t Boarding the Generative AI Train Yet
While Black Myth: Wukong was one example of how games made by Chinese developers can outperform the competition, Game Science recently shared some thoughts about the use of a growing technology within the gaming industry. According to Gamersky (and translated in a ResetEra thread), Qi responded to a user’s question concerning how AI could be used to help Game Science develop Zhong Kui at a faster rate. Qi stated that Game Science would “steer clear” of AI during the design and asset phases of Zhong Kui’s development. Qi said that seeing Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey inspired him and the Game Science development team to stick to traditional techniques.
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Qi said that Game Science’s stance was not out of any resistance to the use of generative AI at all, but that the studio just wants to “stand our ground until the end.” Although other major studios such as Shift Up have pivoted to using generative AI in spite of harsh criticism, Game Science stated that it would stick to its current plans. Qi stated that Nolan’s use of older techniques to “shake things up” when filming The Odyssey was a reminder that the Black Myth: Zhong Kui development team does not have to use generative AI right away. Qi said, “Besides, there’s plenty of time for AI and all that — no rush.”
Early reviews of The Odyssey painted Nolan’s film in a similar light to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy due to the visual attention to detail and scale of some of the film’s scenes. As of this writing, The Odyssey is Nolan’s highest-grossing movie, as it earned nearly $1.2 billion at the box office against a $250 million budget. It is currently the second-highest-grossing film of 2026 so far, trailing only Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which grossed over $1.6 billion. Both The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day are still showing in theaters across the US, so time will tell what the final box office figures will be.
As for Game Science’s upcoming title, Black Myth: Zhong Kui posted a video to observe the Lunar New Year back in February. Though Game Science did not elaborate on the Zhong Kui video itself, it remains to be seen when the China-based studio will share more details.
Sources: GamesRadar+, Insider Gaming
