How Monster Hunter Took Over the World

In the lead-up to its global launch, Monster Hunter Wilds shattered pre-order records on both Steam and PlayStation, echoing the monumental success of its predecessors, 2022's Monster Hunter Rise and 2018's Monster Hunter: World. These achievements underscore the Capcom's RPG series as one of the world's most significant video game franchises. Yet, this wasn't always the case. A decade ago, the notion of Monster Hunter achieving such global acclaim would have been unthinkable. Flash back to 2004, when the original game launched to mixed reviews, and the idea of global success seemed even more distant. It wasn't until the game's transition to the PSP in 2005 that Monster Hunter gained significant traction, albeit primarily in Japan.

For years, Monster Hunter epitomized the "bigger in Japan" phenomenon, a situation Capcom was eager to change. The reasons behind this disparity were straightforward, as this narrative will explore, but Capcom's determination to crack the international market paid off, as evidenced by the global triumphs of Monster Hunter: World, Rise, and now, Wilds.

This is the story of how Monster Hunter transformed from a domestic sensation into a global powerhouse.

Around the time of Street Fighter 5's launch in 2016, Capcom underwent a significant internal reorganization, preparing for a new generation of games powered by the company's innovative RE Engine, which replaced the aging MT Framework. This shift was about more than just technology; it included a new directive to create games for a global audience, not just for existing, region-specific fans.

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

During the PS3 and Xbox 360 era, Capcom's focus seemed to be on capturing the Western market, as seen with the action-heavy Resident Evil 4 and less successful attempts like Umbrella Corps and the Lost Planet series. These efforts highlighted the need for Capcom to create universally appealing games, not just those tailored to Western tastes.

"We had a clear goal of focusing and not holding anything back towards making good games that would reach people worldwide," Itsuno adds. The period leading up to 2017 was crucial, with organizational and engine changes converging, culminating in the successful launch of Resident Evil 7, marking the beginning of Capcom's renaissance.

No series better represents this new global ambition than Monster Hunter. Despite having a dedicated Western fanbase, the series was predominantly popular in Japan due to various factors. Monster Hunter's success on the PSP with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite capitalized on Japan's robust handheld gaming market and advanced wireless internet infrastructure, allowing for seamless multiplayer experiences.

"Twenty years ago, Japan had a very solid network environment, enabling people to connect and play online together," says Ryozo Tsujimoto, the series' executive producer. "By moving to handheld systems, we expanded our player base and enhanced multiplayer interaction."

This focus on Japan inadvertently reinforced Monster Hunter's image as a "Japan-only" brand, with Japan-exclusive content and events. However, as Western internet infrastructure improved and online play became standard, Tsujimoto and his team saw an opportunity to introduce a globally accessible Monster Hunter game.

Monster Hunter: World, released in 2018 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, marked a significant shift. Designed for larger consoles, it offered enhanced graphics, expansive areas, and larger monsters, all while avoiding any perception of regional favoritism. The game was released simultaneously worldwide, with no exclusive content for Japan.

"Our approach to globalizing the series ties into the themes we had in mind during design, reflected in the game's name," Tsujimoto shares. "Naming it Monster Hunter: World was a nod to our ambition to appeal to a worldwide audience."

To further enhance the game's global appeal, Capcom conducted extensive focus and user tests worldwide, leading to adjustments like displaying damage numbers when hitting monsters. These tweaks significantly contributed to the series' unprecedented success, with Monster Hunter: World and Rise both selling over 20 million copies each.

This growth wasn't accidental. Tsujimoto and his team preserved Monster Hunter's essence while making it more accessible to a broader audience. This strategy continues with Monster Hunter Wilds.

"At its core, Monster Hunter is an action game where mastering the action leads to a sense of accomplishment," Tsujimoto explains. "For new players, reaching that point involves steps we've carefully strategized. With World and Rise, we analyzed where players struggled, what was difficult to understand, and gathered player feedback. This knowledge has influenced the new systems in Wilds."

Within 35 minutes of its release, Monster Hunter Wilds achieved 738,000 concurrent players on Steam, more than double Monster Hunter: World's peak. With glowing reviews and the promise of more content, Monster Hunter Wilds is poised to continue the series' global conquest.