Monster Hunter Wilds: Open World Expansion Revolutionizes the Franchise

Following the breakthrough success of Monster Hunter World, Capcom has geared up to shake up the series with Monster Hunter Wilds.
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Capcom Hopes to Capitalize on Extended Global Reach with Monster Hunter WildsRedefining the Monster Hunter's Hunting Grounds

Monster Hunter Wilds is Capcom's bold new entry in the Monster Hunter series that transforms the franchise's epic battles into a dynamic, interconnected world teeming with a living ecosystem that evolves in real time.

In an interview with Game Developer at the recent Summer Game Fest, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, executive director Kaname Fujioka, and game director Yuya Tokuda discussed how Monster Hunter Wilds is set to transform the series. They emphasized a new focus on seamless gameplay and an immersive environment that responds to player actions.

Just as in previous Monster Hunter games, players take on the role of hunters in an unexplored locale filled with new wildlife and resources in Monster Hunter Wilds. However, the game's demo at Summer Game Fest showcased a departure from the series' traditional mission-based structure. Instead of segmented zones, Wilds showed a seamless, open world where players can freely explore, hunt, and interact with the environment.

"The seamlessness of the game is really one of our core efforts in designing Monster Hunter Wilds," said Fujioka. "We wanted to create detailed and immersive ecosystems that necessitate a seamless world filled with hostile monsters you can freely hunt."

In-Game World is Vastly Dynamic

The demo featured expansive desert settlements, vibrant biome and monsters, as well as NPC hunters. The game's innovative approach allows players to choose targets or which actions to take without the constraints of a timer and offers a more liberating hunting experience. Fujioka highlighted that it is important to interact with the world. "We focused on interactions like hordes of monsters chasing down targets and how they conflict with human hunters. These characters have complex behavior patterns, making the world feel more dynamic and organic."

Monster Hunter Wilds also features dynamic weather changes and shifting monster populations. Game director Yuya Tokuda explained how new technology enabled this immersive world. "Building out a massive, changing ecosystem with more monsters and interactive characters was a formidable challenge. Environmental changes happen simultaneously, something we couldn't achieve before."

The triumph of Monster Hunter World bestowed Capcom with invaluable insights and shaped the genesis of Wilds. Series architect Ryozo Tsujimoto proclaimed that embracing a broader global perspective was paramount during the developmental odyssey. "We embarked upon Monster Hunter World with a cosmopolitan ethos, prioritizing a synchronized global launch and comprehensive localization. This worldly outlook enabled us to contemplate players who had forsaken Monster Hunter for an extended duration and devise strategies to rekindle their passion."