FFXIV, Witcher 3 Collabs Ignite Spark in Monster Hunter: Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Collaboration

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous enhancements and quality-of-life improvements, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter: World. Specifically, insights from 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 collaboration, stemming from MMORPG conventions, led to the inclusion of on-screen attack names in Wilds' HUD. This feature, briefly showcased in the Behemoth fight during the 2018 crossover, allows players to see attack names in real-time. The Behemoth encounter, along with the inclusion of the "Jump" emote (mirroring Final Fantasy's Dragoon class), provided a precursor to this gameplay element.

The success of the Witcher 3 crossover, particularly the positive reception to Geralt's voiced dialogue and branching conversations, directly influenced the decision to incorporate a speaking protagonist and expanded dialogue options in Wilds. This marked a significant departure from previous Monster Hunter titles, where the hunter remained silent.

Director Yuya Tokuda viewed the Witcher 3 collaboration as a successful experiment, demonstrating player receptiveness to more narrative depth. This insight, coupled with Tokuda's foresight, shaped Wilds' development, resulting in a more communicative and engaging protagonist.

This information emerged from an exclusive IGN First visit to Capcom's Japanese offices. For a complete preview of Monster Hunter Wilds, including in-depth interviews and gameplay footage, check out January's IGN First coverage:

• Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear
• Monster Hunter Wilds Interview and Gameplay: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin
• Evolving Monster Hunter: How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide Hit
• Monster Hunter Wilds: Gravios Returns in This Exclusive Gameplay