monster hunter freedom unite
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Viral vid warns of Japanese monster outbreak spreading to the West
The monsters are coming. Capcom released this viral video not too long ago, and we have to admit it's very cool. This documentary-style video captures the terrifying hunt of four Japanese civilians. They must work together in order to take down these beasts -- but alas, it looks as though the monster infection is spreading beyond Japan.Does this sound familiar? It should. Capcom is trying to recreate the success of this PSP game for the Western audience. So long as Capcom continues this edgy marketing, it may actually succeed.You do know what game we're talking about, right?
Big franchises boost Capcom's net sales 10%
Capcom's financial report for fiscal year 2008 reveals that the company seems to have found a way to protect itself against the recession: sequels. Net sales for FY 2008 came to 91.8 million yen, up 10.6% from 2007, an increase that Capcom attributes to its massive franchise releases.Following the sales numbers, Capcom names the games that drove the growth. It refers to Resident Evil 5 as a "mega hit with the first shipment of over four million copies worldwide." According to the report, this game and Street Fighter IV "served as the sales growth engine overseas."In Japan, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite continued to sell throughout FY 2008, in high enough numbers that both MHFU and its lower-price re-release get separate mentions in the document. If it does well in North America, it could appear on a third year's financial report!
Fate/unlimited codes also download-only in Europe, but Capcom isn't giving up on UMD
Just like in North America, Capcom will release the PSP fighting game Fate/unlimited codes in Europe as a download. But that doesn't mean the publisher is abandoning UMD. The Capcom Europe rep who confirmed the European release of the game to MCV also said, "We certainly do not intend to stop supporting UMD." The representative went on to say, "Certainly for us PSP is very important – more so with Monster Hunter coming – than maybe any other publisher." Of course, Capcom may have to end up dropping UMD if Sony does.It's no surprise that Capcom would be hesitant to do anything to downplay the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, including speak ill of its format. It was the best-selling game in Japan last year, and thus is probably pretty important to Capcom.%Gallery-51294%
Europe to receive Monster Hunter Freedom Unite PSP bundle
Outspoken SCEE president David Reeves told CAPTIVATE audiences (including Eurogamer) that the upcoming Monster Hunter Freedom Unite would "spearhead the PSP resurgence of 2009." Big words, but considering the success of the game in Japan, it's not unwarranted.To support Capcom's efforts in marketing the game to Western audiences, SCEE is planning a new PSP bundle featuring Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. While unlikely, we're hoping it'll be as awesome as the Japan-only special edition seen above.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite demo coming this June
Click to see full box art. Ready to go Monster Hunt-ing? An English language demo of the upcoming Monster Hunter Freedom Unite will be ready in June. The demo, which will be available on the PlayStation Store this June, will feature multiple missions that can be played alone, or with friends through Ad-Hoc multiplayer. The demo will begin with a higher level character, skilled with major weapon types, so you'll be able to get a taste of what the game is like when you're not a total n00b.Monster Hunter is one of Japan's largest franchises, and has revived the PSP scene in Japan. We're not sure if Capcom will be able to recreate that success here in the States, but they're certainly going to try.%Gallery-48571%
Capcom UK setting up Monster Hunter drop-in center this Summer
Capcom said that it would be giving Monster Hunter a massive marketing push in the west and, from the email we just received, it seems it wasn't lying. The UK branch is planning on opening up a Monster Hunter drop-in center this Summer in central London. The building will facilitate the playing of Monster Hunter Portable Unite in teams -- the way it's meant to be played. One of the reasons the series has been so poorly adopted in the west is that we tend to play either alone or online. In Japan it's far more common to play together in the same room -- particularly with handhelds. The details have yet to be finalized but it looks as though an entire three story building will be made available throughout the month of July for gamers to drop by and play with other Monster Hunter players, enjoy free "sweets and fizzy pop" and charge up their PSPs.The Monster Hunter den will be open until "at least 8 p.m." each evening, after which the games can continue down at the pub. Sounds like an ingenious (if costly) marketing ploy to us. We'll keep you informed of the details once they're finalized.
Capcom promises big push for Monster Hunter series for Western audiences
Capcom isn't content with the five gazillion dollars of money it's made with the Monster Hunter series in Japan so far. No, the company is looking to make American gamers follow suit by turning the multiplayer RPG to the gaming equivalent of crack cocaine. Speaking to MCV, Capcom's Ryozo Tsujimoto admitted there has been a serious lack of marketing for the Monster Hunter games. This will be rectified for the upcoming PSP release, dubbed Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. "This time we're taking things far more seriously in terms of the promotion," Tsujimoto said. "The first step is to actually get the game noticed. No one here knows what the game is so we just need to spread the name of Monster Hunter."A lengthy new trailer (seen after the break) may be the first step in a long campaign to raise awareness with the English speaking community. If Capcom can get the buzz flowing around Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, we may see an even bigger push for the Wii-exclusive Monster Hunter 3.%Gallery-48571%
Monster Seller: 3 million copies of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G shipped in Japan
Capcom has shipped more than 3 million copies of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G for the PSP in Japan, Capcom announced today. The game has been released in three editions: the original release, the hardware bundle, and a "The Best" reissue. It's a massive success story for Capcom -- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G couldn't have cost much to make, being based on Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, which is itself based on the PS2 Monster Hunter 2, and yet it was the best-selling game in Japan last year. It was also the only PlayStation title to sell over two million copies in Japan in 2008. The company has more big numbers to look forward to when it releases the game in North America as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
TGS 08: Capcom announces US-bound Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
What's the game that's got Japanese gamers all in a frenzy? It's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G -- the title that's sold over two million copies on the PSP this year in Japan. Fortunately the Japanese are not being selfish and won't be keeping the multiplayer action title to themselves -- it's coming stateside in Spring 2009 and will be renamed Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.While Freedom Unite isn't physically at the show, Capcom has another Monster Hunter title at TGS. That would be Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) for the Wii and it has been drawing huge crowds leaving people with hour long waits ... and it's only the first day. An "industry only" day. Just wait until the public comes in on the weekend. We wonder if the success that was founded in Japan will follow across the Pacific? Monster Hunter Freedom games haven't exactly been picked up by Western gamers in the past.
