As the multi-million selling wuxia RPG The Scroll of Taiwu finally releases in English after nearly eight years in Early Access, the developers talk community, localisation - and not using AI.
Long before the global success of Genshin Impact and Black Myth: Wukong, The Scroll of Taiwu from ConchShip Games pointed towards the potentially huge market for Chinese-developed titles. The RPG, based on wuxia and Chinese mythology, launched on Steam in Early Access on September 20, 2018, attracting more than 3.4 million players. The developers attribute the game's success to its originality and interactive gameplay mechanics.
The Scroll of Taiwu, a premium PC title in a market dominated by free-to-play games, has seen a growing interest in premium PC games among Chinese players. To succeed in the Chinese market, Western developers are advised to focus on storytelling and cultural elements. Engaging with Chinese players and accepting feedback are crucial for success, as highlighted by lead artist Liuyi Xu.
Community engagement in China differs significantly from the West, with platforms like Baidu Tieba, Bilibili, QQ, and WeChat playing key roles. Successful localization and genuine engagement with players are emphasized over mere translation. Looking to the future, the developers stress the importance of understanding Chinese players' preferences and adapting to the evolving market.
