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Monster Hunter Frontier GG hits Japan this spring
An updated version of Capcom's multiplatform MMORPG Monster Hunter Frontier G will hit Japan in the spring of 2014. Titled Monster Hunter Frontier GG, the upgrade will introduce the tonfa weapon type and new Felyne companion characters, among other additions. Monster Hunter Frontier G was originally launched as an update for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of Monster Hunter Frontier Online, then later hit the PlayStation 3 and Wii U as a standalone retail release. A PlayStation Vita port is also in the works. The GG update is set to arrive next year for all supported platforms. While many entries in the core Monster Hunter series have been released stateside, the online-only Frontier games are exclusive to Japan. A North American release for Monster Hunter Frontier GG has not been announced.
More 'sluggish' sales plague Capcom financials
Capcom experienced another "sluggish" performance in its latest financial quarter -- the first of Fiscal 2010, from April 1 to June 30 -- and consequently blamed slow growth of Lost Planet 2 sales, among other things. Net sales for the quarter were down 2.4 percent year-over-year at 19 million yen ($219 million) and net income dropped a dramatic 90 percent from last year to the tune of 213 million yen ($2.5 million). Although titles like Super Street Fighter IV and Monster Hunter Frontier Online showed what Capcom calls "steady growth," LP2 and Monster Hunter Tri only sold at a "sluggish pace." The first two weeks of Ghost Trick sales were also met with disappointment, although the game premiered at number two in its first week of Japanese sales. The Japanese publisher also lamented "shrinking" US and European markets "under the stagnating economy," as well as fluctuating exchange rates. Though sales across the board were lower than expected, Capcom considers its financial forecast for this fiscal year to be unaffected.
Monster Hunter Frontier Online boosts Xbox 360 sales in Japan
The combination of new hardware and a "newish" Monster Hunter gave the Xbox 360 a considerable sales bump in Japan last week. Media Create reports that 17,000 Xboxes were sold in that time (versus 2,060 the previous week); 15,000 being the new model. That hardware sales rise coincides with the sale of 92,807 copies of Monster Hunter Frontier Online Beginner's Package. Neither the new Xbox owners nor the existing ones saw any need to round out their game collections with additional games -- there were no other 360 games among the top 50 bestselling software for the week. Though Xbox 360 sales were much higher last week relative to the console's typical performance in Japan, the clear winner was the DSi LL, thanks to a combination of several factors: a price cut, the release of three new colors of the system, and Love Plus+, the latest version of Konami's breakout hit dating game ... which also coincided with three more special-edition DSi LL systems. See the rest of the top ten bestsellers after the break. Update: changed "Freedom" to "Frontier" in the headline. [Image credit: GAME Watch]
Inafune hints at overseas release for Monster Hunter Frontier
Not all Monster Hunter games make it outside of Japan. The Wii port of Monster Hunter G, for example, was passed over, as was Monster Hunter Frontier, the PC MMO upon which the upcoming Xbox 360 game is based. That's why it's noteworthy that Capcom's Keiji Inafune told Famitsu (according to Andriasang's translation) that "I feel Monster Hunter can definitely succeed overseas. There's a high possibility that MHF will kickstart that." For such a kickstart to take place, the game would have to be released overseas. Unless, of course, it's already kickstarted by Monster Hunter Tri, coming out in North America and Europe this April, right?
New Xbox 360 Japan ads are ... interesting
Microsoft is rolling out some new ads for the Xbox 360 in Japan. Spotted on the Japanese Xbox.com and featuring a trio of businessmen, the ads certainly represent a big departure from the "Do!Do!Do!" ads of yesteryear. The three suits include "Sanrokumaru" (translated 3-6-0) a man with an Xbox 360 sphere for a head. Together, the group forms the Xbox Special Division, which goes forth in order to obtain big name titles for the Xbox 360. One such title is Monster Hunter, which has already been announced by Capcom for the console. In fact, at end of the Monster Hunter ad -- embedded after the break -- the text translates as "XXXX is next!" and then fills in "XXXX" with "Monster Hunter." As noted by Andriasang.com, the promotional site has several spaces filled with Xs, implying that Microsoft has some other game announcements up its sleeve. [Via Andriasang.com]
Monster Hunter Frontier soon stalking beasts on Xbox 360
The identity of the teased "Capcom x Microsoft" title was revealed earlier this morning, bringing about one of those forehead-slapping of course moments -- because of course it's a Monster Hunter game for the 360. To be more specific it's Monster Hunter Frontier, a port of the PC MMO of the same name. On top of a promotional trailer (which we've posted after the jump), Capcom's released a few details about the game, the most interesting of which is the title's subscription plan. According to Famitsu, Japanese players will be required to purchase Hunter Life Course Coupons for 1,400 yen ($15), which will give them access to the game for 30 days and a one-month Xbox Live Gold subscription. Not a bad deal at all. The game's official site also went live earlier this morning, and will be updated again on February 1. Keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks, even though chances of this coming to the West seem slim at best.
