Chinese mythology is engraved in ancient people’s understanding of nature and society, its fantastical narratives transcending reality and forming the spirit of the Chinese nation. However, historical accounts of ancient Chinese mythology have been fragmented and ambiguous, creating a high reading threshold that has alienated many from the world of mythology.

        Online games serve as a modern medium that combines visuals and sounds, thus providing a platform for the creative development of ancient myths. Using renowned literary resources, NetEase Games has integrated mythological elements into games to promote Chinese mythology.

 

I. Using Imagination to Recreate Ancient Scenes

        Ancient mythology is a way of appreciating our ancestors’ extraordinary imagination and wit—whether with strange and exotic birds and beasts or mysterious, distant lands. However, ancient mythology passed down through written records often lacks the vividness and immediacy of images. Through in-depth research and references to historical documents, NetEase Games has recreated mystical spaces of ancient mythology in games, presenting vivid, ancient wonders.

　　NetEase's fantasy MMORPG Tian Xia III draws inspiration from the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" and has depicted the mythical landscapes of ancient mythology. It showcases 3D renderings of mythological scenes, revolving around folkloric landscapes such as the Beiming Sea, the Southern Sea, and the Luo River. Players can gaze upon towering mountains in the divine realm of Beiming, observe the azure water in the Southern Sea, or appreciate the misty scenery of the Luo River. In December 2022, Tian Xia 3 collaborated with Professor Chen Lianshan from the Department of Chinese Language and Literature of Peking University to create a series of lectures on the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" called "Exploring the Mountains and Seas in Tian Xia". These lectures showcased Professor Chen's academic interpretations of geographical spaces such as the Duguang Wilds and the Buzhou Mountains in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" based on historical reference materials. Including expert explanations within the game has added cultural depth, providing players with more detailed mythological interpretations and ways to apply mythological research in real life.

Tian Xia III: The Beiming Sea

　　The martial arts mobile game Justice Online has used mythological classics such as the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" as source material to create a vivid and realistic geographic space called Kunlun Xu. As the largest map in Justice Online, Kunlun Xu is vast, with unique, one-of-a-kind landscapes. The boundless snow-capped mountains, misty hot springs, and frost-covered trees create an extraordinary and mystical atmosphere in Kunlun Xu, unveiling an ancient mythical realm for players.

Justice Online: Kunlun Xu

        The game Revelation has created a 3D fantasy world based on ancient mythology, where players can soar through the clouds, overlooking the vast world, and then dive deep into the ocean to swim alongside fish. The construction of the mythical space in Revelation goes beyond individual scenes, breaking barriers between the sky and the sea and opening up a vast ancient geographic space. There, players can enjoy a visual feast while exploring the possibilities of mythical scene design.

        Games like Tian Xia III, Justice, and Revelation incorporate a wealth of geography from mythological texts such as the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" to recreate these spaces. These games bring ancient imagination to life, allowing players to witness the surreal and magnificent world of mythology. NetEase Games has constructed mythical scenes and spaces, allowing mythical landscapes to thrive in the virtual space of online games.

 

II. Combining Elements, Innovating Mythical Characters

        Mythological plants and beasts are an endless source of inspiration for the contemporary cultural and creative industry. After refining and integrating these elements to suit modern aesthetic tastes, they exude a new sense of vitality. NetEase Games has processed and expanded upon numerous mythical elements to shape extraordinary mythical characters, introducing creative takes on Chinese mythology.

　　For example, in 2021, NetEase Games launched a series of SSR Shikigami figure boards for the game Onmyoji based on the “Classic of Mountains and Seas”. The character Ibaraki-Doji has beast horns, a design that drew inspiration from Qiong Qi (a mythical beast). Ichimokuren, representing Qing Long (“the azure dragon”) , wears blue clothing, while the character Ootengu has red wings with its design reference being Zhu Que (“the Vermilion Bird”). These Onmyoji figures are not just direct adaptations of the original text of “Classic of Mountains and Seas”: they are lifelike, incorporating new elements such as clothing, mounts, and weapons that align with the extraordinary nature of the characters, offering players a refreshing experience.

Onmyoji: Ichimokuren

　　In September 2023, Justice Online launched a “Classic of Mountains and Seas”-themed fashion collection featuring the images of Bai Ze, Qing Luan, Chi Hu, Ba She, and so on. The game's creators collaborated with experts to bring well-known mythical creatures from China's pre-Qin period into the game, merging them with Justice Online’s Northern Song Dynasty style. The Chi Hu (“red fox”)-themed fashion set "Charm of Chi Hu" takes inspiration from the nine-tailed fox image in “Classic of Mountains and Seas”. It features a predominantly red color scheme, complemented by matching actions, makeup, hairstyles, and accessories. According to a section of the “Classic of Mountains and Seas”, there is a country called Qingqiu where there are foxes with nine tails. The fashion in Justice Online is designed based on simple textual descriptions and is shaped to present detailed, intricate game characters, infusing the mythical roles with a modern sense of beauty.

Justice Online: "Charm of Chi Hu"

　　Fantasy Westward Journey drew inspiration from the Jiao Ren (mermaid) image in “Classic of Mountains and Seas” and designed new fashion to exude romance and mythology. The Jiao Ren is a kind of beautiful creature with a fish tail and human body, known for exceptional weaving skills. They can create precious silk fabric called Jiao Xiao, which is as thin as cicada wings and won’t get wet when submerged in water. Additionally, their tears can turn into pearls. Taking these characteristics into account, Fantasy Westward Journey uses Jiao Xiao silk woven by Jiao Ren as the main material for a robe and embellishes it with numerous pearls, giving the robe a light and ethereal sense of elegance.

Fantasy Westward Journey: The Fashion of Jiao Ren

 

III. Inherited Spirit, Promoted National Sentiments

        Chinese mythology is imbued with spiritual ideals of China. Mythical characters such as Pangu, who created the world, Nüwa, who sacrificed herself to mend the sky, and Houyi, who shot down a sun with his bow, all embody the spirit of selflessness and self-sacrifice. Even today, mythology continues to touch the hearts of generations of Chinese people. NetEase Games nourishes Chinese mythology and explores its ideological values, finding a way to showcase the national spirit.

        Tian Xia III is set against the backdrop of a crisis in ancient China. The fires of war burn across the wilderness, multiple regions are occupied by demons, and the Chinese dynasty is in imminent danger. The character Shennong, known for enduring all sorts of hardships for his fellows, displays noble qualities of selflessness and fearlessness. Players, on the other hand, shoulder the mission of resolving crises and saving lives, gaining the opportunity to fulfil the ideals of mythical characters in the game.

　　The "Kua Fu Mission", a cultural and creative production strategy, promotes the theme of "Kua Fu chasing the sun and inheriting the world" meaning others can inherit Kua Fu’s indomitable spirit and gradually integrate traditional culture into daily life. This helps promote the Chinese national spirit. The Kua Fu Mission has collaborated with the Suzhou Museum, Guangdong Arts and Crafts Co., and independent clothing brand Han Shang Hua Lian to design cultural and creative derivatives and traditional handicraft products, as well as holding player meetups in museums. The aim of these activities is to gradually expand positive exchanges and promote the healthy development of the gaming industry, as well as pass on the spiritual essence of mythology.

Tian Xia III: The Kua Fu Mission

　　Both ancient myths and games are rich in fantasy and advocate boundless expression, providing a stage to satisfy people's spiritual needs—making them very compatible. NetEase Games has found a way to leverage the medium of games to reproduce mythological scenes, process mythological elements, and promote the spirit of mythology. NetEase Games will continue to reach ever higher with its imagination to enhance the cultural elements in games and breathe new life into ancient myths.