Stepping into the mythical world of Wukong

Changing curriculum

For Xuan and his students, this isn't just an artistic showcase, but a semester-long masterclass in game development, design, and curation.

Riding on the game's breakout success last year, Xuan proposed the idea of an exhibition in October. The plan was finalized by the end of 2024, and preparations began in earnest before Spring Festival.

Over the following two months, he led a team of graduate students and young faculty to bring the project to life, with close collaboration from the game's Hangzhou-based developer Game Science.

Many of the physical props on display were custom-made by top-tier domestic production companies or Game Science's in-house teams. The production quality far exceeded typical player expectations, Xuan says.

For Xuan, the exhibition is more than a showcase. It's a classroom. "This exhibition is a vivid and dynamic form of practical education," he says. "It was designed to help students gain a deeper understanding of games not just as players, but as future creators."

Established over 20 years ago, the School of Animation and Games, where Xuan works, has long been a pioneer in China's game education.

By involving students in curating the exhibition, the school offers a rare opportunity to explore the gaming industry from the inside — how development teams operate, creative decisions are made, and a game is brought to life from the ground up. "Many students said that working on such a major IP while still in school could have a real impact on their careers," Xuan adds.

The curatorial process itself became a learning experience. "Choosing what to include and what to leave out — that discussion was incredibly valuable," he says. "This exhibition is really about excavating the behind-the-scenes story. Just as a player progresses through the game, we progressed through creating the exhibition."