Can a reborn CreateAI jump into a top-tier wuxia epic game like Heroes of Jin Yong?

      Credit: CreateAI

      In December of last year, TuSimple, a Chinese firm previously recognized for its autonomous driving technology, made a significant move into the gaming sector. After encountering business challenges, it declared its transition into a generative AI company named CreateAI.

      CreateAI is currently creating an open-world wuxia role-playing game called Heroes of Jin Yong, based on the intellectual property of Jin Yong. Jin Yong is a renowned Chinese author, well-known for his impactful wuxia (martial arts) novels, which have significantly influenced the genre over many years. The game is set to be released in the latter half of 2027 for consoles and PCs. For a company undergoing a strategic transformation, this represents not just a substantial creative effort, but also a crucial gamble that could shape its future.

      Insights from CreateAI on Heroes of Jin Yong

      Last week at ChinaJoy, we had the chance to interview Cheng Lu, CEO of CreateAI, who shared his perspectives on the development of Heroes of Jin Yong.

      When questioned about the use of Unreal Engine 5, Cheng discussed how the engine's robust features and plugins enable the team to accurately recreate iconic landscapes, well-known towns, rivers, and mountains depicted in Jin Yong’s works. He expressed that this technology aims to provide players with a visually captivating and immersive experience.

      Regarding Jin Yong's appeal to younger generations, Cheng stated that the author continues to attract new young readers among his over 300 million global fans. “This was validated through recent campus and offline events, demonstrating that the spirit of martial arts still resonates with today’s youth. The game aims to meld cultural heritage with modern innovation by preserving classic characters and narratives while also introducing new quests and interactive features to engage contemporary players,” Cheng remarked.

      As for the role of AI, Cheng explained that creating a AAA game is highly intricate, with workflows that can greatly benefit from AI. This involves enhancing NPC (Non-Player Character) behavior and interactions, which in turn contributes to a more immersive and dynamic game environment. While AI is not intended to supplant human creativity, it will help animate the game world, making it more vibrant and responsive, he clarified.

      Regarding the current status of development, Cheng noted that the project, which incorporates over a dozen of Jin Yong’s works, is still in its early stages. “The team is diligently working to bring the game to life as soon as we can,” Cheng stated.

      Discussing CreateAI’s distinctive advantages and strategic ambitions for the project, Cheng highlighted the unique nature of the Heroes of Jin Yong IP license. “It’s the first full authorization in twenty years encompassing all 15 novels, allowing us to develop exciting narratives and quests that weave together elements from the entire Jin Yong universe,” Cheng explained.

      Cheng also pointed out the team’s investment in a large motion capture studio located in Beijing’s Huairou District. The facility, spanning 2,000 square meters, utilizes 130 Vicon VK26 cameras to facilitate high-quality production for video games, films, and animations, according to the company.

      Can it uphold the legacy of Chinese AAA games?

      Since the release of Black Myth: Wukong, no significant Chinese AAA title has emerged. Whether Heroes of Jin Yong can carry that legacy into 2027 remains to be discovered, but fans are eager for a playable demo and offline trial events soon. If CreateAI can effectively merge Jin Yong’s literary world with advanced gaming technology and AI-driven innovations, Heroes of Jin Yong could not only become a pivotal achievement for the company but also a landmark in the realm of Chinese AAA game development.

      Jessie Wu is a tech reporter based in Shanghai. She covers consumer electronics, semiconductors, and the gaming industry for TechNode. Reach her by email at [email protected].