20 years on, Monster Hunter Wilds’ devs reflect on the series’ console co-op journey: “The world caught up with our vision”

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By enabling multiplayer crossplay across different platforms for Monster Hunter Rampage, and simultaneously releasing it on PC and consoles at the same time worldwide (a notable fact is that Monster Hunter World took around half a year to be available on computers), Capcom is sending a strong message: no matter where you are or what platform you use, everyone can join in. The colossal monster battles are undoubtedly one of the series’ highlights, but its sense of community has always been another key attraction, with players collaborating in co-op to support each other during their quests.

From its debut on the PS2, teamwork has been a key aspect that sets the Monster Hunter series apart. As director Yuya Tokuda explains, it was one of the first online games, but the complexities of the PS2’s internet made it less popular. Instead, it was the handheld versions of the game that truly propelled Monster Hunter to fame. For many players, these portable titles, where they could gather with friends, were what initially drew them into the series. Tokuda further notes that the subsequent PSP games introduced local LAN and WLAN play as new features, which seemed more fitting for handheld devices. After this, when the series returned to online play, it was essentially revisiting its roots.

Got no strings

Monster Hunter Wilds represents the peak of a distinguished history spanning over two decades. Right from the early days of online gaming on the PS2, or wireless multiplayer on handheld devices, the earlier iterations of Monster Hunter consistently pushed boundaries in the gaming world. Producer Ryozo Tsujumoto notes that when Monster Hunter was first released (which was around two decades ago, as we just celebrated its 20th anniversary), there weren’t many online games similar to it in the console market. Consequently, the infrastructure wasn’t fully developed yet at that time.

To enjoy online gaming on a standard PS2, you’d require a PS2 Network Adapter that fits into the expansion bay. Additionally, a stable internet connection for the time period was necessary. Notably, game publishers themselves were responsible for maintaining their own servers to facilitate multiplayer games, with the quality and availability of support differing across regions. Later on, services like PlayStation Network and Xbox Live came into play, centralizing these functions and significantly streamlining the process.

According to Tsujimoto, it wasn’t always guaranteed that consumers had the necessary broadband connection and equipment to play games online through their console back then. As the technology and world advanced, aligning with our vision of multiplayer gaming on consoles, we shifted towards a more portable strategy – one he refers to as “bring your own network”.

Tsujimoto explained, “Our efforts in creating the game for portable devices with local networks actually ended up being quite beneficial. This was particularly true for the design of later online games. In essence, what we were doing wasn’t a distraction, but rather a strategic move to adapt to the infrastructure constraints at hand. It was more about addressing player needs effectively based on the available resources at each moment in time.

To keep Monster Hunter appealing over time, it’s crucial for Capcom to align with player preferences and expectations regarding connectivity. This focus has been instrumental in the global, cross-platform release of Monster Hunter Wilds, aiming to break down barriers and make gaming more accessible. As Tsujimoto explains, “We’ve made a significant effort this time around.” Recognizing the increasing popularity of PC worldwide, even in Japan, means offering players freedom to choose their preferred platform for gameplay. All you need to do is connect online, and you can join your friends in the hunt.

Monster Hunter is a series known for its complexity and richness, yet its essence remains as clear as sunlight. Over the years, I’ve pondered what truly embodies Monster Hunter, and Tokuda puts it succinctly: “While the name suggests it, I believe the core of Monster Hunter lies in hunting monsters, especially large ones, in a collaborative manner with other players within an action setting. If we were to alter any of these elements, it wouldn’t feel like the authentic Monster Hunter experience anymore.” Now, with Monster Hunter World making multiplayer monster-slaying more accessible than ever, this fundamental essence is stronger than ever before, catering to all gaming preferences.

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2025-02-11 18:10