FFXIV & Witcher 3 Inspire Monster Hunter Rise Collab

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous changes, new features, and quality-of-life improvements. But its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter: World. Specifically, feedback from Final Fantasy XIV's director, Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P), during the FFXIV crossover, and the positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover, directly influenced key gameplay elements in Wilds.

Yoshida's suggestion, made during the FFXIV collaboration, inspired a change to Wilds' HUD: the display of attack names as they're performed. Meanwhile, the enthusiastic reception to the Witcher 3 crossover solidified the decision to include more dialogue options and a speaking protagonist in Wilds.

How Final Fantasy XIV's Director Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

During the Monster Hunter: World and FFXIV crossover reveal event, Yoshi-P suggested to Wilds Director Yuya Tokuda that players appreciate seeing the name of their attack displayed in real-time. This led to the new HUD feature (highlighted in the image above).

The 2018 FFXIV crossover in Monster Hunter: World offered a glimpse of this. It included catchable Cactuars, a giant Kulu-Ya-Ku hunt set to Chocobo music, impressive Drachen armor, and more—most notably, the challenging Behemoth fight. Similar to many MMORPGs, Behemoth's moves were displayed as text on screen during the fight (see the video below).

How The Witcher 3 Influenced Monster Hunter Wilds

Director Tokuda cited the positive comparisons between Wilds' new dialogue options and gameplay elements and The Witcher 3 as direct inspiration. The team viewed the popular Monster Hunter: World Witcher 3 collaboration as a test, gauging player reaction to enhanced dialogue and choices.

This information comes from an exclusive visit to Capcom's Japan offices for this month's IGN First. Don't miss the full hands-on preview of Monster Hunter Wilds, new interviews, and exclusive gameplay from January's IGN First:

Behind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series Gear Monster Hunter Wilds Interview and Gameplay: Meet Nu Udra, Apex of the Oilwell Basin Evolving Monster Hunter: How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide Hit Monster Hunter Wilds: Gravios Returns in This Exclusive Gameplay