Monster Hunter Wilds Trailing The Previous Game in Sales Figures
The developer revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds has moved 10.7 million copies following its release on February 27. Despite these impressive numbers, the new title is losing ground by its four-year-old predecessor, Monster Hunter Rise, which sold approximately 150,000 more units in the last financial quarter.
Performance Metrics Of the Two Titles
At the end of June, Capcom reported Monster Hunter Wilds reached roughly 10.5 million units. Now, the total stands at 10.7 million. In contrast, Monster Hunter Rise achieved 17.5 million by the end of June and has now climbed to 17.8 million. It's well known that Monster Hunter games often have long sales tails. For instance, Rise sold 7.5 million copies in the initial half-year, but needed two years plus releases on multiple platforms to reach the 12 million mark. Nevertheless, it's unusual for an older series entry to outsell a new release, particularly in the early post-release period.
Community Feedback and Frequent Criticisms
Capcom did not comment on the unusual trend in the earnings document. Yet, a quick look at various Monster Hunter communities provides insight into why players are sticking with older titles. Frequent complaints include:
- Large maps with no exploration incentives
- Hunts considered too easy by veterans
- A lackluster postgame
- Minimal challenge and advancement feeling
- Persistent technical problems for PC users
Update and Content Analysis
Above all, the lack of consistent updates is notable. Capcom maintained a regular update schedule for Monster Hunter Rise after its debut. When it hit 7.5 million sales in September 2021, Rise had benefited from six significant updates that added fresh creatures, enhanced challenge options, and regular missions. During a comparable period, Wilds has had five updates, including minor cosmetic additions or minor adjustments to current content.
Sure, some of Rise's updates only included collaboration events, but Wilds has seen few collaborations. Rise included crossovers with popular franchises in the initial months. Wilds has seen just a fighting game collaboration and a Final Fantasy XIV crossover.
It's been four months since Capcom added a new monster to Wilds, and just three new beasts have been added since launch. Rise received three additional creatures in its second month and more following the PC launch. The company revealed Rise's expansion, Sunbreak, in September 2021, and no signs have emerged of a Wilds expansion so far. The trend is evident.
