How World's FFXIV and The Witcher 3 Collabs Inspired Monster Hunter Wilds - IGN First

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Crossovers

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous innovations, features, and quality-of-life enhancements. But its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter World, specifically collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and The Witcher 3. Insights gleaned from these partnerships directly influenced key gameplay aspects in Wilds.

Naoki Yoshida, director of Final Fantasy XIV, suggested a change to the HUD during the FFXIV crossover event. This led to the inclusion of on-screen attack names, a feature initially glimpsed in the Behemoth fight, where the boss's moves were displayed in real-time. The "Jump" emote, unlocked after defeating Behemoth, further exemplifies this influence, displaying "[Hunter] performs Jump" on screen.

The overwhelmingly positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover solidified the decision to incorporate more dialogue options and a speaking protagonist into Monster Hunter Wilds. The Witcher 3 collaboration served as a valuable test, showcasing the potential of a more conversational experience.

In the Witcher 3 crossover, players controlled Geralt, who engaged in voiced conversations and offered dialogue choices – a stark contrast to previous Monster Hunter titles. This directly inspired the inclusion of a voiced protagonist and expanded dialogue system in Wilds.

Director Yuya Tokuda proactively sought the Witcher 3 collaboration, recognizing its potential to inform the direction of future Monster Hunter installments. The success of these collaborations significantly shaped the design and feel of Monster Hunter Wilds, demonstrating the power of cross-platform partnerships in game development.

For a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Wilds, including exclusive gameplay and interviews, check out IGN First's 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