Today, Niantic and Capcom announced the upcoming launch of their latest collaboration, “Monster Hunter NOW,” a mobile game scheduled for release in September 2023. This immersive, augmented reality (AR) experience will be available on both the App Store and Google Play. The game will bring the thrill of the popular Monster Hunter franchise to streets, parks, and neighborhoods worldwide.
A closed beta test is set to begin on April 25th, with an estimated 10,000 participants. Interested players can sign up at monsterhunternow.com for a chance to be selected. Although not everyone will receive an invite, all registrants will be kept up-to-date with the latest news and updates about the game.
“Monster Hunter NOW” will utilize Niantic’s Lightship platform, using industry-leading location-based technology and AR to overlay the real world with fierce and fantastical creatures. Players will take on the role of a hunter, teaming up with fellow players to take down the fiercest monsters in the world, adding a social element to the thrilling experience. The game is designed for everyone to enjoy, whether they are long-time fans of the Monster Hunter series, returning players, or newcomers.
Ryozo Tsujimoto, the producer of the Monster Hunter series for Capcom, commented on the collaboration, saying, “Monster Hunter NOW is a new and unprecedented Monster Hunter game that entices players to go out with their Palico and encounter incredible monsters in the real world.” He added that Niantic’s AR technology delivers a “here and right now” hunting experience, allowing for casual play while honoring the unique gameplay and hunting action of the Monster Hunter series.
John Hanke, Founder and CEO of Niantic, also expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “Monster Hunter NOW will be the ultimate experience for anyone who has dreamed of facing off against epic monsters and battling them with friends.” Hanke emphasized the game’s immersive qualities, engrossing hunting, and opportunities for teamwork, all combined with the best possible graphics on mobile devices.
Monster Hunter NOW also introduces an item called the Paintball, which allows players to mark monsters they encounter and bring them back home for hunting alone or with others. This feature enables players to enjoy the game at their own pace and even hunt monsters after returning home.
As Capcom’s most popular video game franchise, with more than 90 million units sold globally, Monster Hunter is one of the most popular action role-playing game series of all time. With the launch of Monster Hunter NOW in September 2023, fans and newcomers alike will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new, real-world hunting experience.
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