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Niantic Inc. and CAPCOM have announced Monster Hunter Now, a new mobile game set to launch in September that will bring the thrilling experience of the beloved Monster Hunter franchise to streets, parks, and neighborhoods around the world.
The global launch of Monster Hunter Now, distributed by Niantic under license from CAPCOM, is scheduled for September 2023 and will be available via App Store and Google Play. Interested players can sign up now at monsterhunternow.com to be eligible for the upcoming beta tests of the game.
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For anyone who has ever dreamed of hunting monsters in the real world, Monster Hunter Now turns this fantasy into reality: players, who will be referred to as “hunters”, can explore anywhere in the real world in search of the most ferocious creatures, forming teams with other enthusiasts to complete missions: this latter aspect adds an important social element to the experience, which has always been one of the core values of Niantic in the development of all its games. Moreover, playing directly on smartphones, inviting friends to join the game is truly simple and intuitive, enhancing this aspect.
Monster Hunter is the most popular MMORPG series by CAPCOM, with over 90 million units sold worldwide, and one of the most popular action role-playing game franchises of all time. “With Monster Hunter Now the franchise gains a new title, offering fans an unprecedented gameplay mode: players will be encouraged to venture out together with their Palico, explore their surroundings, and encounter incredible monsters directly in the real world,” asserts Ryozo Tsujimoto, series producer for Monster Hunter at CAPCOM. "Niantic’s augmented reality technology offers a hunting experience grounded in ‘here and now’, allowing players to enjoy the game with ease while respecting the action and hunting mechanics that only Monster Hunter can provide. It’s time to step into the real world and enjoy the hunt!"
"\"Monster Hunter Now will be the definitive experience for everyone who has dreamed of facing epic monsters and fighting them with friends," declares John Hanke, founder and CEO of Niantic. "Rich in fantastic creatures, thrilling hunts, and team-based opportunities, with the best possible graphics on mobile devices, Monster Hunter Now is the perfect franchise to bring into the real world."
Whether you’re a long-time Monster Hunter player, someone who hasn’t engaged with the series for a while, or a newcomer to the series Monster Hunter Now is a project designed and conceived so that people can enjoy it easily at their own pace and according to their own needs: for example, players will be able to mark the monsters they encounter while commuting to work or school so they can hunt them later, even after closing the app.
Monster Hunter Now is built on two of Niantic’s leading technologies: location and augmented reality, overlaying fantastical and fierce creatures onto the real world. The app was designed on Lightship, the company’s proprietary platform for developers to provide advanced technological tools for creating increasingly immersive experiences in the “metaverse of the real world.”
