Following the breakout success of Black Delusion: Wukong, which reignited confidence in China’s AAA recreation growth scene, extra studios have begun betting on conventional cultural IPs. One of many newest entrants is CreateAI, previously generally known as autonomous driving firm TuSimple.
In early February, CreateAI launched the primary actual gameplay PV for its open-world RPG adaptation of The Legend of the Condor Heroes (Jin Yong Qunxia Zhuan). The footage, rendered fully in real-time gameplay, consists of fight demonstrations, marking the challenge’s first full public reveal.
The discharge largely met the expectations of producer Chen Mo. In 2024, TuSimple formally introduced its exit from autonomous driving and its pivot into gaming and movie, revealing plans to develop tasks based mostly on the Jin Yong and The Three-Physique Drawback IPs, whereas additionally exploring AIGC-related alternatives.
As a co-founder of TuSimple, Chen describes CreateAI as a private ardour challenge. One 12 months after the pivot, the corporate has begun to indicate tangible progress. In an interview with Jiemian Information, Chen mentioned the sport growth crew now numbers round 200 folks, and that the gameplay PV can also be meant to assist entice extra expertise.
The transition, nonetheless, has not been easy. Regardless of holding two of China’s most respected cultural IPs, CreateAI confronted a number of setbacks whereas constructing groups throughout completely different cities in 2024. A number of groups had been finally disbanded, together with a Guangzhou-based artwork crew dissolved in early 2025. Chen mentioned the rationale was easy: “The outcomes didn’t meet expectations.” The corporate later rebuilt its core crew in Beijing to enhance coordination and administration.
Shifting from autonomous driving to AAA recreation growth proved more difficult than anticipated—particularly for an open-world RPG with excessive calls for on visible constancy and martial arts animation. Over the previous 12 months, the crew carried out intensive subject analysis, scanning greater than 100 historic websites to digitally recreate landscapes and structure. Chen admitted early makes an attempt to “purchase time with cash” backfired, reinforcing the necessity for persistence.
AAA recreation growth stays capital-intensive. In response to knowledge from TF Securities, China’s high-budget PC recreation content material market is predicted to succeed in RMB 16.9 billion (≈ USD 2.35 billion) by 2026. Rising calls for for storytelling, efficiency seize, and fight realism have made movement seize know-how a key high quality driver.
In August 2025, CreateAI constructed its personal movement seize studio and assembled a hybrid crew combining live-action efficiency, 3D animation, and 2D rotoscoping. Chen famous that The Legend of the Condor Heroes alone could require as much as 500 distinct martial arts transfer units, every demanding intensive post-production work.
Whereas blockbuster success is rarely assured, Chen stays optimistic. In 2024, China’s buy-to-play home video games generated RMB 10.22 billion (≈ USD 1.42 billion) in income, up 398.5% year-on-year—practically 90% of which got here from Black Delusion: Wukong. Estimated cumulative gross sales of the title have now surpassed 30 million copies.
Chen sees Black Delusion: Wukong as proof not solely of cultural enchantment, however of China’s AAA market potential. CreateAI’s Legend of the Condor Heroes is focusing on hardcore gamers and is deliberate for launch on PC and PlayStation solely.
Challenges stay, notably the getting older lifecycle of conventional IPs. Chen argues that youthful audiences don’t dislike wuxia itself—fairly, previous diversifications failed to fulfill high quality expectations.
Though TuSimple’s AI heritage now helps CreateAI’s AIGC initiatives, Chen believes AI will not be but prepared for deep involvement in AAA video games or industrial movie manufacturing. Over the subsequent three to 5 years, AI could help in cellular video games or short-form animation, however present limitations in controllability and consistency forestall it from getting into core manufacturing pipelines.
In consequence, CreateAI expects to proceed relying closely on human craftsmanship, investing time and expertise to patiently refine its IPs in pursuit of the subsequent breakout hit.
Supply: Jiemian Information
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