"Monster Hunter: The Global Phenomenon"

In the lead-up to its global launch, Monster Hunter Wilds shattered pre-order records on both Steam and PlayStation, following in the illustrious footsteps of its predecessors, 2022's Monster Hunter Rise and 2018's Monster Hunter: World. This remarkable achievement solidifies Capcom's unique and esoteric RPG series as one of the world's largest video game franchises.

However, this wasn't always the case. A decade ago, the notion of a Monster Hunter game achieving such widespread acclaim globally would have seemed improbable. Flash back to 2004 when the original Monster Hunter debuted and the idea would have been even more far-fetched, given its mixed reviews. It wasn't until the series transitioned to the PSP in 2005 that it truly exploded in popularity, albeit primarily in Japan.

For a significant period, Monster Hunter epitomized the "bigger in Japan" gaming phenomenon. The reasons were straightforward, as this narrative will elucidate, yet Capcom remained determined to penetrate the international market. Their efforts bore fruit with Monster Hunter: World, Rise, and now Wilds, proving the endeavor's worth.

This is the story of how Monster Hunter evolved from a domestic sensation to a global powerhouse.

Monster Hunter Wilds is already proving to be immensely popular. | Image credit: Capcom

Around the time of Street Fighter 5's 2016 launch, Capcom underwent an internal reorganization to prepare for a new generation of games. These games would utilize Capcom's newly developed RE Engine, replacing the aging MT Framework. This shift was about more than just technology; it included a mandate to develop games for a global audience, not just territory-specific fans.

"It was a combination of factors," says Hideaki Itsuno, a former game director at Capcom known for his work on Devil May Cry. "The engine change and a clear directive to all teams to create games that appeal to the global market. Games that are enjoyable for everyone."

During the PS3 and Xbox 360 era, Capcom seemed to be chasing the Western gaming market with titles like the action-heavy Resident Evil 4, which was a hit, and more gun-focused spinoffs like Umbrella Corps and the sci-fi shooter series Lost Planet. However, these efforts were largely unsuccessful. Capcom eventually realized the need to craft games appealing to a broader audience, not just fans of traditional Western genres.

"All teams were given a clear goal to focus on making games that reach the global market," Itsuno explains. "We were committed to creating excellent games that would resonate with people worldwide."

Itsuno highlights the pivotal period leading up to 2017, when organizational changes and the new engine converged. The launch of Resident Evil 7 that year marked the beginning of a Capcom renaissance.

No other series exemplifies Capcom's new global ambition better than Monster Hunter. While it had a dedicated Western fanbase, the series was significantly more popular in Japan due to real-world factors.

The transition from PlayStation 2 to the PSP with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite was a game-changer. The handheld gaming market was much stronger in Japan, as evidenced by the success of the PSP, Nintendo's DS, and later, the Switch. According to Ryozo Tsujimoto, the series' executive producer, the key to Monster Hunter's success in Japan was the country's advanced wireless internet network, which allowed gamers to play reliably with friends.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite saw the series arrive on PSP, a pivotal moment for Japanese gamers. | Image credit: Capcom

"Twenty years ago, Japan had a very solid network environment, enabling people to connect and play online together," Tsujimoto notes. "While not everyone had the chance to play with friends back then, moving to handheld systems allowed us to expand our multiplayer player base."

Monster Hunter, built on cooperative play, thrived on handheld consoles, which were ideal for quick multiplayer sessions. Japan's advanced internet infrastructure meant the game was initially developed with a local market in mind, even if unintentionally.

This created a feedback loop where Monster Hunter became a best-seller in Japan, prompting Capcom to release Japan-only content and events, further cementing its status as a "Japan-only" brand.

Despite this, Monster Hunter had fans in the West who eagerly watched from the sidelines as Japanese players enjoyed exclusive content. As Western internet infrastructure improved and online play became standard, Tsujimoto and his team saw an opportunity to launch their most advanced and globally accessible Monster Hunter game yet.

Released in 2018 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, Monster Hunter: World marked a significant shift for the franchise. It moved away from handhelds to deliver AAA console-quality action with enhanced graphics, larger areas, and bigger monsters.

"Our approach to globalizing the series and Monster Hunter in general was tied to the themes we had in mind when designing the game, as well as the game's name," Tsujimoto reveals. "Naming it Monster Hunter: World was a nod to our desire to appeal to a worldwide audience and introduce them to Monster Hunter for the first time."

Monster Hunter: World was a turning point for the series, turning it into a true global phenomenon. | Image credit: Capcom

It was crucial that Monster Hunter: World did not favor one market over another. The game was released simultaneously worldwide, with no Japan-exclusive content, aligning with global standards that players expect.

Tsujimoto and his team went further, conducting focus tests and user tests worldwide to refine Monster Hunter's formula for broader appeal.

"We conducted focus tests and user tests globally, and the feedback we received significantly influenced our game systems and contributed to our success as a global title," Tsujimoto says.

One key change resulting from these tests was displaying damage numbers when players hit monsters. These small adjustments to an already successful formula propelled Monster Hunter to unprecedented heights. Previous games typically sold between 1.3 to 5 million copies, but Monster Hunter: World and its 2022 follow-up, Monster Hunter Rise, both surpassed 20 million copies sold.

This growth was no accident. Rather than altering Monster Hunter's essence to cater to Western tastes, Tsujimoto and his team found ways to make the series' unique and complex nature more accessible to a wider audience without compromising its core.

This approach continues with the latest installment, Monster Hunter Wilds.

"At its core, Monster Hunter is an action game, and the sense of accomplishment from mastering that action is crucial," Tsujimoto explains. "For new players, reaching that point can be challenging. We've been strategizing how to guide them to that sense of accomplishment. With World and Rise, we carefully analyzed where players got stuck, what was hard to understand, and what they struggled with, gathering player feedback and conducting our own research. This knowledge has influenced the new systems we've implemented in Wilds."

Within 35 minutes of its release, Monster Hunter Wilds reached 738,000 concurrent players on Steam, more than double Monster Hunter: World's all-time high. With glowing reviews and the promise of more content, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to continue the series' mission to conquer the world.