Immerse in the Worlds of FFXIV and The Witcher in 'Monster Hunter Wild'

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Crossovers

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous improvements and new features, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter World. Specifically, collaborations with Final Fantasy XIV and The Witcher 3 directly influenced key gameplay elements.

Naoki Yoshida, director of Final Fantasy XIV, suggested a change to the HUD during the FFXIV crossover event. This led to the inclusion of attack names displayed on screen in real-time, a feature initially glimpsed during the Behemoth fight in the World crossover. The Behemoth encounter, along with the subsequent "Jump" emote, showcased the concept.

The positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover, featuring a speaking protagonist (Geralt), inspired the addition of more dialogue options and a voiced protagonist in Monster Hunter Wilds. This marked a significant departure from previous Monster Hunter titles.

The Witcher 3 collaboration served as a test, gauging player reception to a more dialogue-heavy experience. The success of Geralt's interactions directly influenced the decision to incorporate a similar system in Wilds.

Director Yuya Tokuda, while not actively developing Wilds during the World crossovers, was already envisioning future iterations. He actively sought the Witcher 3 collaboration, highlighting his forward-thinking approach to the series. This proactive approach, coupled with the feedback from the crossovers, significantly shaped the direction of Monster Hunter Wilds.

For a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Wilds, including further gameplay details and interviews, check out IGN First's exclusive coverage:

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