FFXIV, Witcher 3 Collabs Inspire Monster Hunter Wilds - IGN

Monster Hunter Wilds brings a fresh wave of innovations, new features, and quality-of-life enhancements to the beloved Monster Hunter series. But did you know that the seeds for these changes were planted during the crossover events of Monster Hunter World? Insights from Final Fantasy 14's director, Naoki Yoshida, during the FFXIV crossover, and the enthusiastic reception to The Witcher 3 crossover, have directly influenced the gameplay elements in Monster Hunter Wilds.

During the collaboration for the FFXIV crossover, conversations with Naoki Yoshida, affectionately known as Yoshi-P, inspired a significant change to Monster Hunter Wilds' heads-up display (HUD). Yoshi-P suggested that players appreciate seeing the name of their attack as they execute it, leading to the introduction of on-screen attack names during gameplay. This feature was first hinted at during the 2018 FFXIV crossover event in Monster Hunter: World, which featured unique elements like catchable Cactuars, a crystal-bearing Kulu-Ya-Ku, and the challenging Behemoth fight, accompanied by Chocobo music. In this crossover, players could see Behemoth's moves displayed on screen, setting the stage for the new HUD feature in Monster Hunter Wilds.

The positive feedback from the FFXIV event also extended to a small but notable detail: the Jump emote. Inspired by the Dragoon's movements in Final Fantasy, this emote displayed the text "\[Hunter\] performs Jump" on screen, a precursor to the on-screen attack names in Monster Hunter Wilds.

How Final Fantasy XIV's Director Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

While collaborating on the Monster Hunter: World and FFXIV crossover, Yoshi-P shared his insights with Monster Hunter Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda, emphasizing the value of visible attack names. This advice was pivotal in developing the new HUD feature showcased in the image above.

How The Witcher 3 Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

The influence of The Witcher 3 on Monster Hunter Wilds is equally compelling. Director Yuya Tokuda was inspired by the positive reception to the Monster Hunter: World and The Witcher 3 collaboration, which featured players taking on the role of Geralt of Rivia. This crossover introduced dialogue options and a speaking protagonist, elements that were well-received and subsequently incorporated into Monster Hunter Wilds. In Wilds, your character, much like Geralt, engages in conversations with NPCs, enhancing the game's immersive experience.

Tokuda mentioned that while they weren't actively developing Wilds during the World collaborations, these events sparked ideas for future innovations. His proactive approach in securing a collaboration with The Witcher 3's developers at CD Projekt Red proved fruitful and set the stage for the dialogue-rich experience in Monster Hunter Wilds.

These fascinating insights were shared during our exclusive visit to Capcom's Japan offices as part of this month's IGN First. For a deeper dive into Monster Hunter Wilds, don't miss the full hands-on preview, new interviews, and exclusive gameplay:

• 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