The Co-evolution of Culture, Technology, and Industry from a Cultural Materialist Perspective—Taking "Black Myth: Wukong" as an Example

This study examines how video games offer innovative pathways for articulating traditional Chinese culture in the digital age. Using a cultural materialist perspective, we analyze "Black Myth: Wukong" to investigate trends in video games across cultural representation, technological application, and industrial development. Drawing on developer interviews, content analysis, and industry data, we develop a framework focusing on the interplay between technology, industry, and cultural representation. Our findings reveal a dynamic relationship where culture-technology convergence drives industry innovation, while industrial evolution fosters cultural and technological advancement. Results indicate that high-quality digital games have the potential to revitalize the traditional Chinese culture, in a digital form that is appealing to a younger generation globally. We identify mechanisms for activating cultural IP digitally and elucidate innovative cultural production processes in digital environments. This research contributes to cultural production literature by demonstrating how digital technologies reshape cultural articulation and extends cultural materialist theory by applying it to the digital game industry.