Capcom’s release of Monster Hunter Wilds initially appeared to be perfectly timed. Following the remarkable success of Monster Hunter: World, which catapulted the franchise into the global spotlight, the gaming community was primed for another installment. The public’s appetite for intricate, skill-based combat and complex build mechanics was at a high, creating an ideal backdrop for Wilds’ launch. In just three days, the game achieved a remarkable milestone, selling 8 million copies—the fastest-selling title in Capcom’s storied history.
However, as the months rolled on, the narrative surrounding Monster Hunter Wilds shifted dramatically. On Steam, the game’s review rating fluctuated between Mixed and Mostly Negative, particularly following updates that either failed to address or exacerbated significant performance issues. By July, sales had plummeted, with reports revealing a staggering drop from 10 million launch sales to fewer than 500,000 in a single quarter. This decline was mirrored in Capcom’s stock price, which took a hit as investor confidence waned.
In a conversation with Kaname Fujioka, the art and executive director of Wilds, he expressed the ambition behind the game: to cultivate a broader fanbase and solidify Monster Hunter’s status alongside other Capcom heavyweights like Street Fighter and Resident Evil. Yet, the game has been marred by technical glitches, an overabundance of microtransactions, and a wavering sense of identity within the series.
Necessary losses
The year 2023 had initially been favorable for Capcom, highlighted by the successful launch of Street Fighter 6, which helped the company achieve record sales. However, as it transitioned into FY2024, the momentum began to falter due to a sparse release schedule. The anticipated Dragon’s Dogma 2, which closed out FY2023, failed to make a significant market impact, and while Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess received critical acclaim upon its July 2024 release, it lacked the promotional push necessary to drive robust sales.
As Capcom’s net sales fell by 24.7% year-over-year and profits dropped nearly 40%, the company reassured investors that these losses were anticipated. They projected that the financial outlook would improve, especially with the expected strong performance of Wilds as it concluded the fiscal year. However, questions lingered about whether Capcom had fully grasped the extent of Wilds’ performance issues prior to its launch, or if the game’s expansive environments and seasonal cycles diluted the hunting experience.
Despite the initial acclaim for the game’s combat mechanics, it has become evident over the past ten months that Wilds has not reached its full potential. Capcom has only recently begun addressing the game’s optimization flaws, with significant improvements not expected until February. Meanwhile, the company has continued to capitalize on its initial sales, introducing a microtransaction catalog that boasts 190 items, amounting to nearly 0 in potential cosmetic purchases, excluding the soundtrack.
As a long-time fan of the Monster Hunter series, it is disheartening to witness a beloved franchise being leveraged primarily for revenue generation, seemingly at the expense of quality and player experience. The evolution of Monster Hunter into a globally recognized brand was inevitable, but the path it has taken raises concerns about its future direction.
