On July 9th， according to Kuai Technology， a truly remarkable interactive immersion game titled “After the Dawn” was launched on Bilibili in May. Developed by 37 students from Peking University over a period of 60 days， the game has achieved phenomenal success， surpassing one million views within two months of its release and becoming a trending phenomenon.
This game is set against the backdrop of the May Fourth Movement， weaving an intricate narrative spanning thirty years of modern Chinese history with a script of 100，000 characters and a total playtime of approximately 5 hours. Players embody a young protagonist named “Wu Si” (meaning “No Thought” or “Unthinking”)， navigating through four main storylines and numerous side quests. Along the way， they interact with over thirty historical figures， journeying from Beiping to Yan’an. Through various life choices presented within the game， players are encouraged to reflect upon and internalize the core tenets of the May Fourth spirit: patriotism， progress， democracy， and science.
The creative team was a collaborative effort， composed of members from the Chinese Department’s Drama Club， the Yanyu Voice Acting Society， and the Integrated Media Center’s Reporter Group. These groups were responsible for distinct aspects of the game’s development， including scriptwriting， voice acting， and post-production. To ensure historical accuracy and a high level of rigor， the team consulted with various Peking University experts multiple times， meticulously refining historical details frame by frame.
The project initially commenced in February 2025. Due to the unforeseen complexity of the undertaking， the team grew from its original seven members to a total of 37， yet they managed to launch the game successfully and on schedule. This significant expansion in team size highlights the ambitious scope and detailed execution required for such a project， suggesting a profound commitment to quality from its inception.
Within the game， players have the opportunity to experience the century-long evolution of 16 different academic disciplines， including linguistics and architecture. This unique feature has resonated particularly well with students during the college entrance examination season， sparking a sense of shared experience and historical connection.
More than just a historical reconstruction， “After the Dawn” prompts players to contemplate the intertwined destinies of individuals and the nation through their in-game decisions. This interactive approach breathes new life into the May Fourth spirit， making its ideals accessible and engaging for a new generation.
