How Monster Hunter Took Over the World

Before its global launch, *Monster Hunter Wilds* shattered pre-order records on Steam and PlayStation, following the phenomenal success of *Monster Hunter Rise* (2022) and *Monster Hunter: World* (2018). This cemented Capcom's unique RPG series as a major player in the global video game market – a remarkable achievement considering its humble beginnings.

Less than a decade ago, such widespread global popularity would have seemed unimaginable. The original 2004 release received mixed reviews. It wasn't until the 2005 PSP release, *Monster Hunter Freedom*, that the series truly took off—in Japan. For years, *Monster Hunter* exemplified the "bigger in Japan" phenomenon. While the reasons were multifaceted, Capcom persistently sought to expand the series' international appeal. The success of *Monster Hunter World*, *Rise*, and now *Wilds* proves their efforts were worthwhile.

This is the story of *Monster Hunter*'s journey from a domestic sensation to a global powerhouse.

Around the launch of *Street Fighter 5* in 2016, Capcom underwent a significant internal restructuring to prepare for a new generation of games powered by the RE Engine, replacing the aging MT Framework. This wasn't merely a technological shift; it signified a commitment to creating games for a global audience, not just existing regional fanbases.

“Several factors converged,” explains Hideaki Itsuno, a former Capcom game director known for *Devil May Cry*. “The engine change, and a clear mandate for all teams: create games for the global market—games fun for everyone.”

Capcom's PS3 and Xbox 360 era titles often felt like attempts to capture a perceived "Western games market." While *Resident Evil 4* was a massive success, more gun-focused spin-offs like *Umbrella Corps* and the *Lost Planet* series failed to resonate. Capcom learned to create universally appealing games, rather than focusing solely on traditional Western genres.

“We focused without reservation,” Itsuno says, “on making great games that would reach a worldwide audience.”

Itsuno highlights the pivotal period leading up to 2017. “Organizational and engine changes converged,” he notes. The launch of *Resident Evil 7* that year marked the beginning of a Capcom renaissance.

No series better embodies this global success goal than *Monster Hunter*. While it had a dedicated Western fanbase, it was significantly more popular in Japan. This wasn't the original intention, but several factors contributed.

The shift from PlayStation 2 to PSP with *Monster Hunter Freedom Unite* proved crucial. The handheld market was always stronger in Japan, boosted by the PSP, Nintendo DS, and later, the Switch. According to executive producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, Japan's advanced wireless internet network enabled reliable multiplayer gameplay, a key factor in *Monster Hunter*'s success.

“Twenty years ago, Japan had robust network infrastructure, enabling online multiplayer,” Tsujimoto explains. “Moving to handhelds expanded the multiplayer player base.”

The cooperative nature of *Monster Hunter* thrived on readily available multiplayer. Handheld consoles provided the ideal platform at the time. Japan's advanced internet inadvertently created a localized market focus, even if unintentional.

This created a cycle. *Monster Hunter* games became Japanese bestsellers, leading to Japan-exclusive content and events, further reinforcing its image as a "Japan-only" brand. Western fans watched enviously.

But as Western internet infrastructure improved, Tsujimoto saw an opportunity. *Monster Hunter: World* (2018), released simultaneously worldwide on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, was a game-changer. It offered AAA console quality, larger environments, and bigger monsters.

“Our globalization approach, reflected in the game's title, aimed to appeal to a worldwide audience experiencing *Monster Hunter* for the first time,” Tsujimoto reveals.

Simultaneous worldwide release, eliminating region-exclusive content, was crucial. Tsujimoto and his team also refined the formula to broaden its appeal. Playtesting and feedback influenced game systems, contributing to *World*'s global success.

“We conducted worldwide playtests,” Tsujimoto says. “The feedback significantly impacted game design and our global success.”

One key change was displaying damage numbers. These subtle improvements to a successful formula propelled *Monster Hunter* to new heights. Previous games sold 1.3 to 5 million copies (excluding re-releases). *Monster Hunter: World* and *Rise* both surpassed 20 million.

This growth wasn't accidental. Instead of altering *Monster Hunter*'s core to appeal to Western tastes, Capcom made it more accessible without sacrificing its essence. This approach continues with *Monster Hunter Wilds*.

“At its heart, *Monster Hunter* is an action game; the accomplishment of mastering that action is key,” Tsujimoto explains. “For new players, it's about reaching that point. We analyze where players struggle, gather feedback, and use that knowledge to design new systems for *Wilds*.”

Within 35 minutes of release, *Monster Hunter Wilds* reached 738,000 concurrent Steam players—more than double *World*'s peak. Positive reviews and promised future content suggest *Wilds* will surpass even *World* and *Rise*'s achievements, continuing the series' global conquest.