Why Monster Hunter Is Breaking the Bank for Capcom, Making Big Bucks!

Capcom has stated that Monster Hunter Now is not projected to generate profit. This revelation comes shortly after the game conducted a limited beta test in anticipation of its official release. Monster Hunter Now, an augmented reality mobile game developed by Niantic (known for creating Pokemon GO), will feature a blend of geolocation-based exploration, action-oriented gameplay, and the gathering of resources, similar to the studio's highly successful previous release.

And while Pokemon GO isn't as popular as it used to be, Capcom's investors are still excited about the prospects of Monster Hunter Now, as the game has made billions of dollars over the past seven years. However, the Japanese company insists that its primary motivation for licensing Monster Hunter to Niantic has nothing to do with the immediate money-making potential. During its latest general shareholder meeting, a company official revealed that Capcom primarily anticipates the game to boost the global brand of the series rather than generate "revenue contributions."

Capcom is not the first Japanese gaming company to take a marketing-driven approach to mobile games. In December 2022, Nintendo also stated that their mobile games were not created to generate profits, but rather to serve as promotional tools. However, Nintendo's statement was in response to declining mobile profits, whereas Capcom seems to be preemptively managing expectations for Monster Hunter Now.

To clarify, Capcom has experience in mobile development, mainly focusing on porting classic titles like Mega Man X and the Ace Attorney games. Their latest Monster Hunter mobile game, Monster Hunter Now, follows this pattern by introducing a mobile-only spin-off of their popular franchise. This sets it apart from Monster Hunter Stories, which was initially exclusive to the 3DS. So, regardless of the commercial expectations for Monster Hunter Now, its creation seems more comparable to games like Pokemon GO or Fire Emblem Heroes than Monster Hunter Stories.

Capcom's recent shareholder meeting confirmed that the company is open to remaking Resident Evil games that are not part of the numbered series. Additionally, there is news that Capcom is exploring the potential revival of the Onimusha franchise. In other announcements, Monster Hunter Now is set to be released on mobile devices in September 2023.

Source: Capcom