| Hey, this is Vlad in Hong Kong. The biggest video game debut of the year is an homage to Chinese folklore, proof of the country’s game-making muscle, and a fun jaunt with a feisty simian with a stick. But first... Three things you need to know today: • Telegram chief Pavel Durov was detained in France
• Apple’s iPhone refresh date is set for September 10
• China is falling out of love with Hollywood movies Black Myth: Wukong always looked promising. Six years in development, the game was one of the first to take advantage of Epic Games Inc.’s Unreal Engine 5 to deliver stunning visuals. But there have been many beautiful failures in the games business, whereas this title actually delivered. I say that based on playing it for a weekend after watching it set records with its splashy debut. It’s an action-adventure tale built around the legend of the Monkey King, with gameplay that rewards timing, focus and attention to detail — and offers little mercy for lazy button-mashing. It’s not for everyone, but it already counts millions of devoted players. The game turned profitable on its first day for small creative studio Game Science, and went on to sell 10 million copies and pull in more than $450 million in three days, according to Niko Partners estimates. It’s the biggest PC game in years, easily China’s most prominent new franchise and the capstone to a summer of major new releases in the country. “The successful hit of Wukong is an important testament of the development capability of China-based games studios and will help promote the rich China culture aspect,” Citi analysts led by Alicia Yap wrote in a Monday note. Their data showed nearly 90% of Wukong PC players were based in mainland China or, where I am, Hong Kong. You can view that in two ways: it shows that the game isn’t quite the global hit it may seem purely on the strength of numbers alone — or you can look at those numbers and be reminded of just how huge the Chinese consumer audience is. Game Science crafted a game in China, for China, with veneration for the country’s history and traditions. It’s a refreshing change of tone in a world where most Chinese firms are now obscuring their origins — PDD Holdings Inc.-owned Temu says it was founded in Boston, Massachusetts — or face barrages of reflexive distrust from the US and Europe. For their confidence, the developers have been rewarded with an overwhelmingly positive reception. Less than a week after its launch, visitors are flocking to historic sites featured in Wukong, places like Yungang Grottoes and Stork Tower in Shanxi province, northern China. The takeaway is clear: China has the talent, and certainly the mythology and history, to support its own creative ventures without recourse to, say, Japanese anime as inspiration. There’s a good bit of intrigue about what happens next. Game Science has a giant blockbuster on its hands, but now come elevated expectations as it seeks to develop an expansive series of Black Myth games. Can the small, scrappy team keep up that initial momentum? It has the backing of Tencent Holdings Ltd., which holds a 5% stake, and it's earned approving nods from government outlets infused with patriotic overtones. At a minimum, the Wukong experience should give Chinese game developers more confidence to look inward for inspiration — because no one’s better positioned to turn the country’s fables and legends into playable diversions. And, as an outsider to that history, I can say I’m loving the discovery of yaoguai and ancient real-world temples through my time playing (and failing) in Wukong.—Vlad Savov Mpox was avoidable. Scientists point to the missteps and red tape that made a preventable virus into a global health emergency.  Sen. Scott Wiener of California breaks down his controversial AI bill that's facing pushback from the likes of OpenAI. China will discuss the issues of tariffs and Taiwan with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan this week. First ever Rolex ‘Rainbow’ Daytona chronograph could fetch $3.5 million at auction. India’s AI startups are building tools and agents accessible by voice commands and interactions. China Mobile bought a stake in Huawei spinoff Honor in a rare tie-up between telecom and device producer. | 
