Back on Thursday, September 14th, Niantic, the innovative developer behind Pokémon Go, released their latest mobile augmented reality (AR) game called Monster Hunter Now.
With the massive success of Pokémon Go in their portfolio, it’s no surprise that industry insiders and fans alike could be found discussing the possibilities of this new venture. While many long time fans were quite eager to download the latest installment of a franchise fan-favorite, others, like myself, are proceeding with trepidation based on our own pre-existing experience as players of their other game titles.
Could Monster Hunter Now replicate the success of Pokémon Go, or will it stumble down the path of Niantic’s less prosperous attempt with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite?
Monster Hunter Now‘s potential based off a much-loved IP
To really understand the potential of Monster Hunter Now, we need to look into the rich history of Capcom‘s Monster Hunter franchise. Originally from Japan, the Monster Hunter series has enjoyed a loyal fanbase and steady growth across both APAC and North American markets.
As someone who has really enjoyed playing numerous titles across both console and handheld devices, I was admittedly extremely excited when I saw their launch announcement.
(I mean – who doesn’t enjoy buying hunting goods from Palicos and petting Poogie the pet pig?)
With each new installment, Capcom’s Monster Hunter IP built up a very dedicated player community. It is this community and longstanding legacy that gives Monster Hunter Now a solid foundation to build from.
The franchise’s core mechanics of hunting, crafting, and cooperative play could translate well into an AR mobile game, offering both new mobile players and long time fans a fresh and engaging experience.
How might it compare against Pokémon Go‘s Success and Harry Potter: Wizards Unite‘s Struggles?
The success of Pokémon Go is often considered a cultural phenomenon. It also has become the gold standard for Niantic’s capabilities. In fact, it was a combination of the game’s accessibility, real-world integration, and connection to a beloved franchise that propelled it to unprecedented heights. Even with it’s latest challenges, Niantic’s constant updates, global and local community events, and engaged player base have kept Pokémon Go alive since its launch in 2016.
However, the same cannot be said for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. MarketWatch reported that the game faced significant challenges, earning just $40 million since its 2019 release.
To say that the Harry Potter fanbase failed to rally around the game in the same way Pokémon fans did is an understatement. In fact, Niantic’s management of the mobile IP was met with much criticism in the player community after it’s initial launch. While the game offered a similar AR experience, it failed to capture the magic of Pokémon Go and was often seen as a “clone” – with little to no real innovation.
For many, it was just Pokémon Go in a wizard’s robe.
Even I found it to be repetitive with lackluster storylines. But that’s a discussion left for another post.
Niantic’s latest problems and challenges may prove harmful to Monster Hunter Now‘s success
Niantic’s journey with Harry Potter: Wizards Unite wasn’t the only rocky road they’ve encountered. In recent year, they’ve faced criticisms related to increased monetization practices, especially in Pokémon Go where they did away with more than a few much loved features implemented during the pandemic in an effort to encouraged increased outdoor play.
Even their latest Pokémon Go update for their was filled with a series of glitches and bugs that left players like me wondering just how much the company really cared about delivering quality content for the games playerbase.
Another cause for concern is their latest layoff, which included over 230 employees followed by a circulating of statements regarding gender discrimination, poor leadership, and lack of direction from the top.
This is on top of the challenge they will face in appealing to the existing Monster Hunter fanbase while introducing a mobile version of the IP to a wider audience.
Undoubtably, Niantic’s “Monster Hunter Now” has the potential to find success, thanks to the strong foundation provided by the overarching Monster Hunter franchise. This really hinges on the delicate balance between fan nostalgia and continuing mobile game/AR innovations. Whether it reaches the heights of Pokémon Go or faces the struggles of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite remains to be seen. One can only assume that lessons learned from both games (in addition to Pikmin Bloom and their microtransaction-filled, breeding mobile game Peridot) will shape their approach.
As a lover of the franchise, I have already downloaded the game to see for myself. All while holding on to the hope that Niantic turns their most recent track record around, and resolve their already flailing attempts to meet player expectations.
Monster Hunter Now is available on both ioS and Android.
How do you think Niantic and Capcom’s latest venture will play out? Let us know what you think on our Twitter at BossRushNetwork or comment down below.
Related Post: PODCAST: Why Monster Hunter and Destiny Continue to Thrive – The Boss Rush Podcast Episode 147
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