Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Collaboration
Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous improvements and new features, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter: World. Specifically, interactions with Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida ("Yoshi-P") and the positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover significantly influenced Wilds' design.
Yoshi-P's suggestion during the FFXIV crossover, stemming from MMORPG conventions, directly led to the inclusion of on-screen attack names in Wilds' HUD. This feature, a small preview of which was seen in the Behemoth fight during the 2018 FFXIV event (featuring Cactuars, a Kulu-Ya-Ku hunt with Chocobo music, and Drachen armor), provides real-time feedback on performed actions. The "Jump" emote, unlocked after defeating Behemoth, further exemplifies this influence, displaying "[Hunter] performs Jump" on screen.
The overwhelmingly positive reception to the Witcher 3 crossover in Monster Hunter: World served as a crucial test. The inclusion of Geralt, a speaking protagonist with dialogue choices, showcased the potential for a more narrative-driven experience. This directly influenced the decision to incorporate more dialogue options and a voiced protagonist in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Director Yuya Tokuda, while not actively developing Wilds during the World collaborations, used these events as forward-thinking experiments. He actively pursued the Witcher 3 collaboration, recognizing its potential to shape the future of the Monster Hunter series.
This insight comes from an exclusive IGN First visit to Capcom's Japan offices. For a complete preview of Monster Hunter Wilds, including in-depth interviews and gameplay footage, explore the full IGN First coverage: [Links to additional IGN First content would go here].
