Pokémon Go developer Niantic Labs is working with Capcom to develop an AR game for Capcom’s Monster Hunter series. Similar to Pokémon GO, players will need to explore the physical world to track down and battle in-game creatures. Monster Hunter Now will release in September 2023 and beta testing starts today, April 25th.
10,000 fans will be invited to participate in the beta and anyone who signs up for beta testing will receive emails sharing the game’s latest updates regardless of whether they are chosen to participate.
Like previous Monster Hunter titles, players will act as hunters attempting to slay creatures. Players can hunt alone or work together to defeat fearsome creatures and invite friends to join them on hunts.
“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,” says Ryozo Tsujimoto, Producer of the game series. “Niantic’s AR technology delivers a ‘here and right now’ hunting experience, something that can be played casually while honouring the gameplay and hunting action that only Monster Hunter can offer. Let’s get out into the real world and enjoy hunting!”
A short trailer was recently released, which shows the game in action. The trailer shows that while monsters will appear in the physical world via AR technology, the battles themselves are not in AR.
Monster Hunter Now is built on Niantic’s Lightship platform and utilises industry-leading location-based tech. The game aims to be accessible to newcomers and veterans of the series. Additionally, players can enjoy the game from any location. For instance, using a paintball on a monster allows the player to bring the monster home with them. The player can then battle the beast at a location of their choosing.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
