A second Monster Hunter: World beta will help keep millions of gamers sane this holiday season, so long as the increased network traffic doesn’t reduce the PSN servers to a smoldering heap. Capcom also released more information on the paid cosmetic DLC coming to Monster Hunter: World after the game hits consoles in late January.
Preloading for the next Monster Hunter: World begins today, Dec. 18 and will continue through the weekend. The beta won’t begin until 12 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 22, but it will run until noon on Boxing Day (Dec. 26). Capcom says anyone who still has the old beta client installed won’t have to worry about installing anything else, which suggests there won’t be any big differences (in content or features) between the first and second tests. There’s still no word on an Xbox One beta, despite the fact that MHW hits Microsoft’s latest console the same day as Sony’s, but it could be worse. The PC crowd still doesn’t even know when Monster Hunter: World is coming to Steam.
Sharpen your Hammers! The #MHWorld Beta starts on Dec 22nd for ALL PS4 players! pic.twitter.com/VBfqg2iELb
— Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) December 15, 2017
A new interview with Monster Hunter: World Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto also shed some light on Capcom’s post-launch support plans. The company already confirmed plans to introduce several monsters in free updates, and Tsujimoto told Famitsu will also release paid cosmetic DLC to finance development of the game’s free content. Samurai armor will be included with the Deluxe Edition of MHW and Capcom already confirmed appearances from Mega Man and Horizon Zero Dawn ’s Aloy. The company is also producing special in-game content, including new missions and gear, for fans who visit the Monster Hunter attraction at Universal Studios Japan. The producer also says we could see paid cosmetics to change the appearance of some in-game NPCs, like the Guild Receptionist who provides new quests to hunters.
Monster Hunter: World is in development for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. The next PS4 beta runs Dec. 22-26, and the game will make its retail debut Jan. 26, 2018.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more Monster Hunter: World news in 2017 and however long Capcom supports Monster Hunter after launch.
