The guqin, a traditional Chinese string instrument, is one of the four arts of the Chinese scholar and an important element in ancient literary life. There have been numerous written works on the guqin since ancient times. As a cultural symbol, the guqin has become spiritual sustenance for the Chinese literati and an essential part of Chinese culture over the years. Some say ancient guqin culture has its own unique Chinese elegance.

       However, with the impact of modernization, the ancient guqin has gradually faded from public view. It is now more urgent than ever to preserve this part of cultural heritage and help promote ancient guqin culture. To raise public awareness on ancient guqin culture and rekindle love for the guqin, NetEase Games has incorporated the guqin into gaming, combining games and traditional culture to compose new music in the ongoing guqin symphony.

 

I. Ancient Charm, Guqin Style

       Guqin culture can date back to ancient times, reaching its heyday in the Tang Dynasty. During that time, guqin-making skills developed and led to the emergence of several eminent guqin players and iconic guqin works. Famous musicians also adapted beloved pieces from earlier dynasties, which became quite popular. During this period, guqin culture was so popular, it even reached overseas audiences. When it comes to the game Westward Journey II, which is based on the Tang Dynasty classic “Journey to the West,” the guqin is a natural and important aspect to include, both in terms of setting and cultural preservation.

　　For the 18th anniversary of the Westward Journey brand, Westward Journey II collaborated with guqin artist Jin Runyi to present "The Ballad of Chang'an" and made a music video. Featuring an innovative ensemble of guqin and other traditional instruments, it not only provided players with the ultimate audio-visual experience but also brought guqin culture into the public eye.

Westward Journey II: "The Ballad of Chang'an"

　　In addition to music composition, Westward Journey II also invited Zide Guqin Studio to adapt classic background music from the game into an instrumental medley, which incorporated countless pieces from the series. Ancient guqin culture met modern game artistry, and traditional melodies intertwined with modern art in Westward Journey. Since ancient times, guqin music has been a means for the literati and scholars to express emotions. Zide Guqin Studio’s medley was able to record player experiences and memories with Westward Journey. Combining guqin music with popular music helped players appreciate the art of the guqin and injected some youthful energy into guqin culture.

 Westward Journey x Zi De Guqin Studio

 

II. Inheriting Guqin Culture and Craftsmanship

       A prominent manifestation of the flourishing guqin culture during the Tang Dynasty was the development of "zhuo qin" art. Zhuo qin is a method of making guqin and a form of traditional Chinese craftsmanship involving meticulous and refined work. With declining public interest in guqin culture, the art of zhuo qin has also gradually faded and faces potential disappearance. Recognizing this dilemma, NetEase's game Fantasy Westward Journey leveraged its platform and large player base to raise public awareness and understanding of zhuo qin.

　　Fantasy Westward Journey collaborated with Cai Weiyi, an iconic apprentice of ancient lacquering craftsmanship in Xi'an, to create a guqin-themed special page in the PC version of the game and a special guqin for the "Girl Village" sect. There, players can view image, text, and video explanations on the zhuo qin and witness the entire process of creating an elegant and classical guqin. By combining gameplay elements with the art of zhuo qin, Fantasy Westward Journey found an innovate way to promote the art of guqin. This not only provided a high-traffic promotional platform to share the art of zhuo qin, but also helped make the complex art more accessible. Following public interest, it also promoted zhuo qin public recognition, understanding, and inheritance.

Fantasy Westward Journey: Guqin-themed Special Page

 

III. Public Participation, Guqin Revival

       In ancient times, the guqin was one of the four arts of the scholar, exclusive to the literati and scholars. However, in modern times, with the development of pop culture and public works, the guqin has transformed from a privileged part of culture to a more popular form. This transformation, however, also presents a challenge when it comes to preserving the legacy of the guqin.

　　Eager to advocate the four ancient arts of the scholar, NetEase's martial arts game Justice Online has worked to revive ancient guqin culture. In Justice Online, there is a sect called "Shenxiang", which includes characters shown as respectable gentlemen using guqin as weapons. The setting immerses players in the role of a gentleman who enjoys playing the guqin, deepening their understanding and appreciation of guqin culture within the game's story.

Justice: The "Shenxiang" Character Image

　　Justice Online also allows players to freely play the guqin in the game. Players can become musicians and perform on the streets at any time, attracting admiring passersby, which helps to popularize the guqin. Some players have even transcribed popular music and transformed a range of pop songs into playable game music, attracting fans of various music genres and creating a dialogue between modern music and ancient instruments. This move by Justice Online not only digitally transforms guqin performances, but also allows the public to interact with guqin, breathing new life into guqin art with user-generated content and increasing the public's love and understanding of guqin culture.

Justice Online: Guqin Playing Interface

　　NetEase Games remains committed to cultivating Chinese traditional culture, integrating the guqin culture into the gaming world. This not only protects traditional culture but also forges an essential path toward creating high-quality Chinese games. NetEase Games has found ways to leverage its game industry potential to empower guqin art with its creativity, platform, and large user base. Using games as a medium, NetEase Games is composing a new suite for guqin culture.