Monster Hunter: World introduces a living, breathing ecosystem in which players take on the role of a hunter that seeks and slays ferocious beasts in heart-pounding battles that unfold across the vast ever-changing terrain. Venture on quests alone or with up to three hunters in a newly designed online drop-in multiplayer system which allows cross-region cooperative play between Japan and the west, uniting the player base for the first time ever.

Retaining the series’ skill based progression and robust crafting system, players gear up to venture on quests to seek and slay monsters, progressively improving their skills to become the ultimate hunter. Loot collected from fallen foes can be used to create new equipment and armor upgrades styled after the monsters they’ve slain, allowing hunters to survive the elements and defeat the tougher opponents that await them.

Monster Hunter: World delivers a seamless gameplay experience allowing players to move freely across map areas that comprise the living ecosystems and dynamically transition from day to night. The landscape and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role in each quest as players strategically use the surrounding environment including terrain, vegetation and wildlife to their advantage in battle or become hindered by the hazards they present. Hunters must use their cunning and abilities to track and maneuver their targets throughout the intense, evolving battles.

Capcom and Pure Imagination Studios are in production on a computer graphics animated special that will expand upon the universe of Monster Hunter.

The two companies will produce and co-finance the special with Pure Imagination overseeing domestic and international sales.  Joshua Fine (“Ultimate Spider-Man” (STARZ)) wrote the special. Production will be completed this Winter and the special is expected to premiere globally in 2019.

The 3D animated special, dubbed “Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild,” tells the story of a brave young man determined to prove himself as a monster hunter worthy of recognition. His chance will come all too soon when he discovers that his remote village lies in the path of an Elder Dragon—a veritable force of nature made flesh.

“We are thrilled to return fans to the universe of “Monster Hunter” and expand the series’ rich lore,” said Monster Hunter Series Producer, Ryozo Tsujimoto. “We think die-hard fans will appreciate our dedication to the source material while those uninitiated to the series will still be treated to an epic adventure in a wholly unique world.”

Developed and published by Capcom, the “Monster Hunter” series of games has shipped more than 48 million units to players around the world since its initial release in 2004. “Monster Hunter™: World,” the franchise’s latest release in the series, has shipped more than 8 million units worldwide (including digital download sales), now making it Capcom’s fastest selling title in the company’s history of making blockbuster games.

“At Pure Imagination, we focus on building content driven eco-systems and experiences that can live across multiple platforms of engagement,” said John P. Roberts, Chief Content Officer, Pure Imagination Studios. “With Monster Hunter, our talented and diverse group of animators, storytellers and producers, who have created content for LEGO, Marvel and Star Wars, are collaborating with Capcom to create a powerful and engaging story universe to serve its enormous global fanbase,” he continued. 

With flexible online multiplayer options and an accessible quest structure, players can tackle challenges alone or join up to three other hunters online for cooperative play. For the first time in the Monster Hunter series, players from Japan and the west can play together online, providing an expanded base of cooperative hunting companions. With the new online drop-in functionality, solo players can hail for assistance from the worldwide group during quests when their opponents are too daunting to take on single-handedly.

Monster Hunter: World is currently available for PS4 and Xbox One, with a PC release to follow on August 9th, 2018.