Capcom's new MMO-style Monster Hunter game gets an official release date, and it's sooner than we expected!
Monster Hunter World will see a simultaneous global release on January 26, 2017, Capcom today confirmed at this year's Tokyo Game Show. The game, which brings players from all across the world together with online-based co-op play, sees gamers entering an engaging and dynamic world replete with seamless map roaming, drop-in and drop-out multiplayer, and tons of monsters that're bound to a realistic food chain. In a recent article I admitted Monster Hunter World looks truly alive, and I can't wait to return to a proper console-based MonHun experience.
Launching this ambitious online game in January means the title will fall within Capcom's fiscal year 2018 timeline, which ends on March 31, 2018. This will ensure the publisher ends its fiscal year with massive earnings from the landmark RPG--not only is the game a mainline entry in the massively popular Monster Hunter franchise, but it's an online game which offers tremendous potential for monetization.
The developer plans to sell a combined 10.3 million units of Monster Hunter World and Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, and forecasts that both games will make up 44.78% of games sold throughout the fiscal year period. You can read more about Capcom's financial performance here.
FEATURES
Welcome to the new World: Taking on the role of a hunter, players are tasked with going on a research expedition to a newly discovered continent known only as "new world" as they venture on quests to discover more about this mysterious land.
Living and breathing ecosystem: Utilize the surrounding environment and wildlife to your advantage. For example, pit monsters against one another to lure the main target creature to the right place, but be careful not to become hindered by the hazards they present.
Global simultaneous release: For the first time in the Monster Hunter series the latest title will release within the same launch window and unite hunters across the world with cross-region cooperative play options.
Online drop-in multiplayer: When the battle is too daunting to take on single-handedly, hail up to three other hunters to assist during quests by sending up a SOS flare to a worldwide server full of potential teammates.
Hunt to craft new gear: Defeat monsters and collect loot from fallen foes to craft equipment and weapons styled after the monsters that have been slain. Selecting the right loadout can help exploit enemy weaknesses to gain an advantage in battle.
Master the beasts: A variety of ferocious creatures inhabit the new world landscape including the series mainstay Rathalos and the all new Anjanath. Players can mount the monsters with the dynamic riding mechanic, allowing them to travel along the monster's body and deliver locational damage.
Seamless gameplay: Players and monsters can move from one map area to another freely and without loading screens whilst gameplay also dynamically transitions between night and day.