Never mind that Black Myth: Wukong didn’t snag the Game of the Year award—true fans already know how epic it is. But what’s less epic is Pepsi China’s latest marketing stunt with Game Science. It’s a campaign that feels less like a celebration and more like a cruel joke on everyone who isn’t one of the three (yes, three!) lucky winners.

Here’s the deal: Pepsi in China has rolled out a Pepsi Cola Zero Sugar x Black Myth: Wukong Gourd Gift Box, and while it sounds awesome, you can’t buy it. Nope. This isn’t a collector’s item you can snag off the shelf; it’s part of a complicated contest that’s exclusive to China.
The gourd itself—Hulu, if we’re being authentic—looks like something straight out of Wukong’s mystical inventory. Matte black with intricate golden cloud carvings, it proudly displays the signature Chinese characters of Wukong in silver, awkwardly paired with a bright blue rope and the Pepsi Chinese branding. Is it functional? Decorative? Who knows? But it’s undeniably cool.
What’s not cool? The hoops you’ll have to jump through to even stand a chance of winning. First, you need to be in China—obviously. Then, you’ll need to comment on Pepsi China’s contest post [CH] on Weibo, share it, and include a photo of yourself holding a Pepsi Cola Zero Sugar x Black Myth: Wukong bottle while performing a virtual “cheers.” Oh, and don’t forget the appropriate hashtags—Pepsi’s watching.

To top it off, you’ll need to buy the drinks first. They’re priced at 45.9 yuan (about USD 6.30) for a pack of 12x 500 ml bottles. So, no, this isn’t a sweepstakes; it’s a full-blown contest requiring effort, planning, a dash of luck—a small amount of monetary investment.
On December 21, 2024, at 11 AM China time, Pepsi will pick just three winners who fulfilled all the requirements to receive the limited-edition Hulu Gift Box. The rest of us? Left to sip our Pepsi Zero Sugar, contemplating our un-Wukong-like lack of fortune.

Images: Pepsi China [CH].