Capcom's latest entry in their popular monster-hunting franchise has been breaking sales records while simultaneously struggling with technical issues. Monster Hunter Wilds, which has sold an impressive 10 million copies in its first month, is now getting its first major update that aims to address the performance problems that have plagued PC players since launch.
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| A character ready for adventure, embodying the spirit of Monster Hunter Wilds amidst a rugged backdrop |
Title Update 1 Brings Performance Improvements
The first major update for Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled to release on April 4, with some regions potentially seeing it as early as April 3. Game Director Yuya Tokuda has confirmed that this update will focus on reducing VRAM usage and implementing DirectStorage for the Steam version, which should result in significant stability improvements for PC players. This acknowledgment of performance issues comes after weeks of player complaints that have contributed to the game's Mixed rating on Steam, where it currently sits at a 63% positive rating.
PC Performance Issues Explained
Since its launch, Monster Hunter Wilds has been notoriously demanding on PC hardware. Many players, particularly those using gaming laptops or mid-range GPUs, have struggled to maintain stable framerates. The game's current optimization is so poor that Capcom recommends using frame generation technology just to achieve 60 fps, a feature that isn't even available on pre-40 series Nvidia GPUs. Even high-end systems with RTX 3080 desktop cards or RTX 5090 gaming laptops have required upscaling technologies to deliver smooth gameplay at higher resolutions.
Record-Breaking Sales Despite Technical Problems
Despite these technical issues, Monster Hunter Wilds has become Capcom's fastest-selling game ever. The title managed to shift 8 million copies in just its first three days, with the total reaching over 10 million within the first month. This puts it on track to potentially surpass Monster Hunter Rise's 15 million copies before the end of the year. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella reported that over half of the game's sales came from Steam, with SteamDB estimating between 4.77 million and 6.46 million owners on PC.
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| An unexpected moment in the fantastical world of Monster Hunter Wilds captures the essence of adventure |
Additional Content and Features
Title Update 1 isn't just about performance improvements. The update will also introduce the monster Mizutsune, a gathering hub, arena quests, and the ability to rematch the story's final boss. Tokuda has also revealed plans for future updates, including 8-star tempered monsters coming at the end of May, weapon adjustments, mantle balancing changes (with the Corrupted Mantle being nerfed), and UI/UX improvements.
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| A futuristic object hints at new features and content in the upcoming update for Monster Hunter Wilds |
Layered Weapons Coming in Future Update
One of the most anticipated features announced by Tokuda is the introduction of layered weapons in a future update. This will allow players to change the appearance of their weapons without affecting their stats—a feature that was previously available in Monster Hunter World and Rise, but only in their respective expansions. This addition will be particularly welcome for players who dislike the aesthetic of the powerful but visually unappealing Artian weapons, which many have criticized for their generic green metallic appearance.
Looking Ahead
With Capcom's commitment to ongoing optimization and regular content updates, Monster Hunter Wilds seems poised to continue its success. The developer has already outlined plans for updates through May, with a second major patch scheduled for the summer. If the PC performance issues can be adequately addressed, the game may be able to improve its reception among the PC gaming community and potentially reach sales figures closer to Monster Hunter: World's impressive 30 million copies over time.