Chongqing - Wu Zifei, Founder and Creative Director of Pathea Games, challenged long-standing stereotypes in the Chinese gaming industry with My Time at Portia, successfully introducing Chinese games to a global audience.

Founded in 2012 and based in Chongqing, Pathea Games specializes in creating games for European and American audiences. Over the years, the company has released titles like My Time at Portia, Planet Explorers, and My Time at Sandrock, gaining international acclaim and recognition.

Initially, Wu had no experience in starting a business. In an exclusive interview with Bridging News, he shared that at one point, he stayed awake for nearly 50 hours. "I didn’t know how to run a company, hire people, or even manage a team to create a good game. I just thought that if I made a fun game on Steam, it would be a huge success," Wu said. 

His first game failed spectacularly. However, instead of rushing to create another game, Wu took the time to carefully analyze his mistakes. He addressed the issues from the first game, including the marketing strategy, and even launched the Alpha version for free to build a player base early on.

After learning from repeated setbacks, My Time at Portia became a major success, marking a turning point in Wu's career. The game was particularly popular internationally, with 95% of its revenue coming from overseas markets. Around 70% of its players were from abroad, contributing significantly to its success. It generated over 130 million yuan in revenue.

Reflecting on the challenges he faced, particularly in overcoming Western biases toward Chinese-made games, Wu emphasized the significant role culture plays in game development. 

Wu acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Chinese studios' creation of original games and emphasized his goal of changing that perception. While he saw the importance of balancing cultural differences between East and West, he believed integration should be natural, not forced. He suggested starting with familiar elements for international players and gradually introducing unique cultural aspects.

He stressed the importance of making a game enjoyable and relatable, regardless of cultural background. For instance, while working on My Time at Sandrock, the team traveled to Northern China to visit the Gobi Desert. They engaged with local people, learning about their lives and struggles, and used that experience to shape the characters in the game. He believed this approach makes the game feel authentic—it’s grounded in real-world motivations.

Wu suggested that Chinese game developers focus on expanding beyond the domestic market. He argued that developers need to think globally to fully realize their potential and create games that resonate with players worldwide.

My Time at Portia is an open-world RPG by Pathea Games where players manage a workshop in a post-apocalyptic world. It received positive global feedback for its charming art, immersive gameplay, and blend of crafting, exploration, and social elements. Players particularly appreciated its relaxing pace and customization options.