We’re almost to the end of the (financial) year, which means it’s time for corporations to make presentations for shareholders convincing them to keep stake in their companies. You know, just like you and your friends do on weekends. Capitalism! Anyway, in the Capcom Integrated Report 2021 to shareholders, the company spent a short time specifically talking about the development and release of Monster Hunter Rise. Again, remember this is meant for the capital-investors, not the humble gamer toiling away on the couch. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Rise was specifically designed with the Switch’s portability in mind. This is opposed to the likes of Monster Hunter World, which was designed so you could sit back and focus on a stationary console.
- RE Engine played a large role in the game’s success, allowing the team to achieve the highest standard of graphics on Switch and a short loading time. It was one of two “pillars of success” alongside the core development team.
- While the game’s development had a lot of difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new staff members trained well and are primed to take the reins of the next MonHun game.
- The game utilized an aggressive online digital promotion campaign as part of its marketing — announcing the title in September 2020, releasing multiple demos, lots of social media presence, Capcom cross-franchise collabs after release, etc. A PC release early this year factors into the same strategy.
- While the Monster Hunter series has sold like hotcakes, there are still many people who aren’t familiar with it, and plenty of room to expand. Capcom will continue to strive to make a “Monster Hunter Craze” that will “rage 10 and 20 years down the line.”
So the series is going strong still, to no one’s surprise. Interestingly, the upcoming expansion Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak isn’t mentioned at all, despite releasing this upcoming summer. Given the largely retrospective nature of the report, it isn’t too surprising, but it’s worth making note of. You can pick up Rise, our Game of the Year for 2021, on Nintendo Switch right now, like I still need to.
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Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
