Dark Fantasy Games Make $100 Million Per Month

For years, China’s gaming market was dominated by mobile games and online experiences, often monetized through gacha mechanics and in-app purchases. This dynamic has begun to shift, as a growing number of players now seek single-player, story-driven titles on PC and console.

The success of Black Myth: Wukong, which offered a polished, narrative-rich experience, demonstrated the potential of domestically developed games to compete globally in the premium space. Its impressive commercial performance confirmed that global audiences are increasingly open to Chinese-developed titles that blend strong storytelling with recognizable gameplay systems.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

All the games mentioned in this article:

1. Black Myth: Wukong
2. WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers
3. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
4. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
5. Lies of P
6. Crimson Desert
7. Ninja Gaiden 4
8. Tides of Annihilation
9. Hell is Us
10. Ghost of Yotei
11. Lost Soul Aside

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers Multi-Platform Release

According to Alinea Analytics, WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is positioned as the next high-profile title in this emerging segment. Developed by Lenzee and published by Digital Bros, the game launches July 24, 2025, on Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.

Set during the late Ming Dynasty in the land of Shu, the narrative centers on a mysterious illness that transforms people into violent, supernatural creatures. Early audience overlap data indicates strong interest from fans of Black Myth: Wukong, with approximately 60% of WUCHANG’s wishlisters also having played that title.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Dark Fantasy Games Make $100 Million Per Month

The souls-like and dark fantasy genres have seen sustained commercial growth over the last three years. What was previously a $50 million-per-month segment has expanded into a market generating upwards of $150–200 million monthly. This genre now maintains over 30 million monthly active players, making it one of the most active and engaged gaming audiences globally.

WUCHANG is aimed squarely at this group, appealing to fans of difficult, atmospheric action RPGs rooted in historical and mythological themes. Alinea platform data shows that WUCHANG shares significant affinity with players who have expressed interest in culturally inspired role-playing games, particularly those drawing from East Asian settings.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Over 123k Followers on Steam and Counting

Pre-release figures suggest that WUCHANG is outperforming key benchmarks. As of June 2025, it has already reached over 123,000 followers on Steam, well above the median of 53,000 for titles in the same category at launch. It currently holds the #49 spot on Steam’s wishlist chart, with expectations to rise into the top 20 by release. Historically, titles launching from this range have strong potential for commercial success. WUCHANG is priced at $49.99, with a deluxe edition available at a $10 premium. It is being developed in Unreal Engine 5, which is consistent with most successful titles in the genre.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Forecasts of Up to $30 Million in Gross Revenue 

Based on current metrics, WUCHANG is projected to generate at least $30 million in gross revenue on Steam within its first month. This would require sales of around 800,000 units, assuming regional pricing differences and a mix of standard and deluxe editions. If momentum continues, the title could surpass $60 million on Steam alone in its first year, with the possibility of reaching $100 million depending on user reception and sustained engagement. Additional revenue is expected from the Epic Games Store, where WUCHANG has already ranked among the top ten most pre-ordered paid games.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Console Momentum and Game Pass Partnership

WUCHANG is also showing positive early performance on PlayStation. In China, it debuted as the second top-selling title on the PlayStation Store, behind only Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In the United States, it launched at #60 in pre-order rankings, ahead of comparative titles such as Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Lies of P.

These results are notable considering the game’s inclusion on Xbox Game Pass, which often lowers purchase intent. Microsoft is believed to have secured WUCHANG for Game Pass following its absence in Black Myth: Wukong’s launch portfolio. An upfront licensing payment from Microsoft, estimated between $5 million and $10 million, would help offset development costs.

Additional console sales are anticipated, with forecasts suggesting around 500,000 copies sold on PlayStation in the first month. Based on blended pricing estimates, this would translate to roughly $20 million in additional revenue. Xbox sales outside Game Pass are expected to add a smaller, though still meaningful, contribution to overall performance.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Production Budget Estimated Around $30 Million

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers has been in development since March 2020, with its first gameplay reveal shown at Bilibili’s Video Game Festival in 2021. The team has grown to 160 members, and based on regional developer salaries and development timelines, the estimated production budget is around $30 million.

With marketing included, total expenditures may approach $50 million. For comparison, Black Myth: Wukong’s combined development and marketing budget reached $70 million. WUCHANG’s marketing campaign has already gained traction in China, with significant visibility on local platforms and events, including a large-scale promotion involving the Chengdu Towers.

Competitive Landscape and Release Date

WUCHANG benefits from favorable timing within the 2025 release calendar. Many of its closest competitors, including Crimson Desert, Ninja Gaiden 4, and Tides of Annihilation, have yet to confirm release dates. Other upcoming titles with high wishlist overlap include Hell is Us, Ghost of Yotei, and Lost Soul Aside, which launch later in the year. Notably, WUCHANG will appear at Summer Game Fest on June 6, giving players another preview ahead of its July release.

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers

Outlook and Industry Positioning

WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is entering the market at a time when audience demand for narrative-driven, mythologically grounded action RPGs is increasing. With solid pre-release performance indicators, cross-platform availability, and strong engagement from Chinese and global audiences, the title is well-positioned for commercial success. While final outcomes will depend on launch-week reception and post-release support, WUCHANG has the potential to become one of the most notable new IP launches of the year.