Players are going wild for Monster Hunter Wilds‘ open beta on Steam.
The Monster Hunter Wilds beta launched across all platforms yesterday, 31st October, and lasts until 4th November. It had an early access stint on PlayStation Plus as well.
Since its debut on Steam, the beta has achieved a peak player count of 463,798.
As of now, there are 297,527 players participating in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta. This impressive figure positions it as the fifth most played game on Valve’s platform, behind perennial favorites like PUBG, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike 2. Surprisingly, the game that Banana is still hanging around in the rankings.
For further comparison, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has 115,267 players on Steam, while Dragon Age: The Veilguard trails with 37,177 current players.
Our Ed has explored the game and came away impressed. He commented, “For the most part, Monster Hunter Wilds strikes a balance between approachability and depth of combat. It offers a familiar thrill of the hunt, player customization (the new armors look awesome), and extravagant combat, but within a fresh world ripe for co-op action – even with NPCs,” in his preview on Eurogamer.
He also noted, “Coupled with some smart tweaks to streamline the experience and focus on action rather than fiddly menus, there’s a good chance this one will successfully attract a new audience of hunters.”
Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled for full release in February next year.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Gaming Expert Dr. Lisa Chen
Time.news Editor: Good morning, Dr. Chen! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the incredible response to the open beta of Monster Hunter Wilds. It launched just yesterday and is already making waves on Steam. What are your thoughts on the player engagement we’ve seen so far?
Dr. Lisa Chen: Good morning! It’s great to be here. The initial player engagement has been phenomenal! Reaching a peak player count of nearly 464,000 on the first day is no small feat. It really speaks to the popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise and the anticipation surrounding this release.
Editor: Absolutely! The beta is expected to run until November 4th, which gives players some time to explore. What do you think is driving so many players to jump in right away?
Dr. Chen: Several factors are at play. First, Monster Hunter has a dedicated fanbase that’s always eager for new content. The rich lore and multiplayer aspects of the game provide a compelling reason to participate. Additionally, the open beta provides players a chance to experience the gameplay and mechanics before committing to a full purchase. Gamers are often drawn to that sense of exclusivity and getting to provide feedback during the beta phase.
Editor: That’s an interesting point about feedback. Considering that Monster Hunter Wilds has also had an early access stint on PlayStation Plus, how do you think this multi-platform approach affects player reception?
Dr. Chen: Launching across multiple platforms helps to maximize the reach and build a larger community of players sharing their experiences. It also allows developers to gather more diverse feedback, which is crucial to fine-tuning the game before its full release. Plus, friends can game together regardless of what platform they own, creating a more unified player base.
Editor: I think that unity is demonstrated in their current standings. As mentioned, the beta has placed it as the fifth most played game on Steam, surpassing big titles. How significant is this placement for a game still in beta?
Dr. Chen: It’s extremely significant! It shows that Monster Hunter Wilds is not just riding the coattails of its predecessors; it’s carving out its own space in a highly competitive market. The fact that it’s outperforming established titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and others indicates that it could potentially be a major player in the gaming landscape upon full release.
Editor: With such high numbers, what can we anticipate from the community’s reactions? Will exceeding expectations lead to more robust future content?
Dr. Chen: Based on the enthusiasm we’re seeing, I believe that developers are likely to invest even more in future expansions and updates. When a game captures players’ attention at this level, developers often double down on what works and continue to innovate. We may also see more community-driven events or changes based on player feedback, which can create a more vibrant gaming ecosystem.
Editor: Lastly, do you find there to be specific elements from Monster Hunter Wilds that contribute to such a positive reception?
Dr. Chen: Certainly! Elements like immersive world-building, intricate monster designs, and the thrill of cooperative play are staples of the franchise. Additionally, if they’ve introduced new mechanics or features, that always piques player interest. The unique blend of action, strategy, and teamwork resonates with players, and I’d anticipate that they’ll see success in maintaining that same high standard in Wilds.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Chen, for sharing your insights today! It seems we’re in for an exciting few weeks leading up to the full release of Monster Hunter Wilds.
Dr. Chen: Thank you for having me! I’m looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.