Monster Hunter Wilds just swept the PlayStation Partner Awards 2025 Japan Asia on December 3rd, taking home both the Grand Award and the User’s Choice Award. But the real news came during producer Ryozo Tsujimoto’s acceptance speech when he declared the series isn’t stopping here and teased plans to expand the Monster Hunter IP beyond games. After 20 years and over 100 million copies sold worldwide, Capcom is doubling down on the franchise with ambitions that extend far past consoles.
What Tsujimoto Actually Said
During the media interview before the award ceremony in Tokyo, Tsujimoto made Capcom’s intentions crystal clear. “Of course, we don’t intend to stop the series here. We plan to continue, and we want to let more people play,” he stated. Then came the kicker that has fans speculating wildly: “In addition, I would like to think about things beyond the games so that we can further expand the potential of the Monster Hunter IP.”
This wasn’t vague corporate speak about making the franchise accessible. Tsujimoto specifically emphasized expanding beyond games, signaling Capcom’s belief that Monster Hunter has grown large enough to support transmedia efforts. Director Yuya Tokuda joined him at the event, where both accepted their awards and discussed the game’s rocky launch, ongoing improvements, and future vision.
The timing of these comments feels deliberate. With Monster Hunter celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024 and Wilds becoming Capcom’s fastest-selling game ever at 8 million copies in three days, the franchise has never been more popular. The company is capitalizing on that momentum to position Monster Hunter alongside properties like Pokemon and Final Fantasy as multimedia entertainment juggernauts rather than just game series.
What Beyond Games Actually Means
Capcom has already dipped its toes into transmedia Monster Hunter projects. The company announced it will showcase a Monster Hunter attraction at the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. This represents a physical experience where visitors can interact with the IP outside of controllers and screens.
Other potential expansions could include:
- Animated series or films building on the franchise’s creature design and hunting culture
- Theme park attractions beyond the Expo 2025 installation
- Manga or comic adaptations exploring hunter stories across different locales
- Merchandise lines extending beyond typical gaming collectibles into fashion and lifestyle products
- Restaurant collaborations featuring Monster Hunter themed dining experiences
- Board games or tabletop RPGs adapting the hunting mechanics
- Live action adaptations after the 2020 film’s mixed reception
Japan already has a thriving Monster Hunter culture with cafes, merchandise shops, and collaboration events that Western fans can only dream about. Tsujimoto’s comments suggest Capcom wants to replicate that cultural saturation globally, making Monster Hunter as recognizable in New York and London as it is in Tokyo and Osaka.
Why Wilds Won Despite Its Problems
Monster Hunter Wilds launched on February 27, 2025 to massive commercial success but significant technical problems. The PC version suffered from poor performance and optimization issues that angered players. Server problems at launch prevented many hunters from accessing online multiplayer, the franchise’s core appeal. Content volume concerns emerged as players questioned whether there was enough variety compared to previous entries.
Director Yuya Tokuda directly addressed these issues during the PlayStation Partner Awards interview: “We sincerely apologize for the troubles users faced shortly after the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds, particularly regarding content volume and server issues. That said, we are incredibly honored to have received multiple awards, including the User’s Choice Award.”
The User’s Choice Award carries particular weight because it comes from actual players voting with their wallets and time investment. Despite technical stumbles, the community recognized Wilds as delivering the core Monster Hunter experience they craved. Capcom has been continuously updating the game since launch with title updates adding new monsters, events, and quality of life improvements.
Recent updates include:
- Title Update 3 scheduled for late September with additional monsters
- Arch-Tempered monster variants providing endgame challenge
- Collaboration events including Fender branded content
- Regular Event Quests with exclusive rewards and equipment
- Balance adjustments for guard weapons and Insect Glaive based on feedback
- Final Fantasy XIV crossover content bringing iconic monsters and gear
The fact that Wilds won awards despite its problems demonstrates how much goodwill Capcom has built with the Monster Hunter community over two decades. Players trust the developers will continue supporting and improving the game long after launch.
The Sales Reality Check
While 8 million copies in three days made Wilds Capcom’s fastest-selling game ever, the long-term sales picture looks more complicated. As of October 2025, Wilds had reached 10.7 million copies sold. That sounds impressive until you compare it to Monster Hunter Rise, which hit 17.8 million copies by the same reporting period.
Rise is actually outselling Wilds during comparable time frames, with approximately 150,000 more copies moved in the last fiscal quarter. This doesn’t mean Wilds is failing – Monster Hunter games have notoriously long sales tails. Rise took two years and a multi-platform release to hit 12 million after selling 7.5 million in its first six months. Wilds should follow a similar trajectory as Capcom continues supporting it with content updates.
The franchise as a whole has surpassed 100 million copies sold across all titles since 2004. That puts Monster Hunter in rarified air alongside franchises like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Resident Evil as one of gaming’s genuine mega-properties. Capcom’s integrated reports show both console and portable segments growing steadily, with cross-platform play in Wilds designed to unify the previously fragmented player base.
What Fans Actually Want
Reddit users and gaming communities have been clear about what they expect from Monster Hunter’s future. The franchise needs to maintain its core identity as a challenging action game focused on preparation, execution, and cooperation. Any transmedia expansions should enhance rather than dilute that identity.
Successful examples from other franchises include Pokemon’s anime and card game, which introduced new audiences to the IP while respecting what made the games special. Failed examples include the 2020 Monster Hunter movie directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, which ignored the source material’s collaborative hunting culture in favor of generic military action.
For future games, fans want Capcom to maintain the series’ trajectory toward more seamless open worlds with distinct ecosystems. The seasonal weather system in Wilds that transforms environments mid-hunt represents the kind of innovation players appreciate. Cross-platform play has been universally praised for finally unifying the community across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Technical stability remains the biggest concern. If Capcom can’t deliver Monster Hunter games that run smoothly at launch, no amount of transmedia expansion will satisfy the core audience that drives the franchise’s success.
Where This Could All Lead
Tsujimoto’s comments suggest Capcom is preparing a comprehensive multimedia push over the next several years. The Expo 2025 Osaka attraction launches the physical experience side. Ongoing game support for Wilds maintains the core audience. Potential animated series or films could bring in casual fans who wouldn’t pick up a controller.
The success of this strategy depends on Capcom learning from both successes and failures in the transmedia space. Sonic the Hedgehog movies succeeded by respecting the source material after initial backlash forced redesigns. The Witcher series on Netflix introduced millions to Geralt’s world. Conversely, the Warcraft movie flopped despite massive brand recognition, and Halo’s TV series alienated fans by changing fundamental lore.
Monster Hunter has advantages other franchises lack. The creature designs translate beautifully to any medium. The hunting culture provides built-in narrative structure. The world-building across multiple ecosystems offers diverse storytelling opportunities. If Capcom gets this right, Monster Hunter could join the ranks of truly global entertainment properties.
FAQs
What did Monster Hunter producer say about the franchise’s future?
Ryozo Tsujimoto stated at the PlayStation Partner Awards 2025 Japan Asia that Capcom doesn’t intend to stop the series and specifically wants to expand the Monster Hunter IP beyond games to reach more people and explore new potential for the franchise.
What awards did Monster Hunter Wilds win?
Monster Hunter Wilds won both the Grand Award and User’s Choice Award at the PlayStation Partner Awards 2025 Japan Asia held in Tokyo on December 3, 2025. The game was recognized alongside other major titles like Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and Zenless Zone Zero.
How many copies has Monster Hunter Wilds sold?
Monster Hunter Wilds sold over 8 million copies in its first three days, making it Capcom’s fastest-selling game ever. As of October 2025, it had reached 10.7 million copies sold across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms.
What does Monster Hunter expanding beyond games mean?
Tsujimoto’s comments suggest Capcom is planning transmedia expansions including theme park attractions like the one at Expo 2025 Osaka, potential animated series or films, merchandise lines, and other entertainment formats beyond traditional video games.
What problems did Monster Hunter Wilds have at launch?
Director Yuya Tokuda apologized for troubles including poor PC performance and optimization, server issues preventing online multiplayer access, and concerns about content volume. Capcom has been continuously updating the game to address these issues.
How does Monster Hunter Wilds compare to Monster Hunter Rise sales?
While Wilds had a stronger launch at 8 million copies in three days, Rise has sold more overall at 17.8 million copies compared to Wilds’ 10.7 million. However, Monster Hunter games typically have long sales tails, so Wilds may eventually surpass Rise.
What updates are coming to Monster Hunter Wilds?
Capcom has announced Title Update 3 for late September with additional monsters, regular Event Quests with exclusive rewards, collaboration content including Fender and Final Fantasy XIV crossovers, balance adjustments for weapons, and Arch-Tempered monster variants.
Conclusion
Monster Hunter stands at a crossroads where commercial success meets creative ambition. With over 100 million copies sold, 20 years of franchise history, and Wilds becoming Capcom’s fastest-selling game ever, the series has proven its staying power. Ryozo Tsujimoto’s comments about expanding beyond games signal Capcom’s belief that Monster Hunter can transcend its video game origins to become a multimedia entertainment brand on par with gaming’s biggest franchises. The key will be maintaining what makes Monster Hunter special – the challenging cooperative hunts, the preparation and execution, the sense of triumph when a 50-minute battle against an Elder Dragon finally ends in victory. If Capcom can translate that essence into theme parks, animation, and other formats while continuing to deliver quality games, Monster Hunter’s next 20 years could dwarf everything that came before. For now, fans have Wilds to enjoy with regular content updates, a confirmed commitment to future games, and the tantalizing promise of experiencing the hunt in entirely new ways.