Some Fans Are Worried That Monster Hunter: World Might Come With Subscription Fees In Japan (Update)

We’re all just as excited as you are about Monster Hunter: World, but after series executive producer Ryozo Tsujimoto shared a brief quote about how they’ll continue supporting the game the same way they’ve done with console games in the past, some fans in Japan showed some concern about it meaning a possible paid-subscription.

The quote comes from an interview with Famitsu, who asked whether Monster Hunter: World will be administered with post-release support (with updates, events, and such.)

Here’s what Ryozo Tsujimoto said:

“It’ll be the same type [of administration] we’ve had for the series on home console up until now. In addition to limited-time downloadable quests, we’re working on making it something that can be enjoyed for a long time to come, so please look forward to it.”

Some worried Japanese fans were concerned about the quote meaning the possibility of a monthly fee due to Tsujimoto stating that it will be supported the same way they’ve done with console games in the past. However, the quote in question is referring to downloadable quest content for Monster Hunter: World. A Capcom representative pointed out that the Famitsu question was addressing the concept of additional support for the game after launch, rather than any sort of continued fee to play the game. While Japan hasn’t had to pay subscription fees for the previous two home console entries in Monster Hunter 3G HD Ver. (Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate) on Wii U and Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. (Japan-only PS3 port of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd), they had more Monster Hunter games on console that did require additional fees to play online.

Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter G, and Monster Hunter 2 on PlayStation 2 required a monthly 945 yen fee as part of the “Multi-Matching BB” online service. Meanwhile, Monster Hunter Tri on Wii required payments at the rates of 800 Wii points (800 yen) for 30 days, 1,500 Wii points (1,500 yen) for 60 days, and 2,000 Wii points (2,000 yen) for 90 days.

This doesn’t include the online fees for the MMORPG title Monster Hunter Frontier, as well as the upcoming Monster Hunter XX on Switch that will require Nintendo’s online service fees to play online once the service launches in 2018.

Editor’s Note (4:10pm CT on June 15, 2017): This article has been updated to clarify a phrasing that was used from the Famitsu interview for Monster Hunter: World. Capcom has clarified, and Tsujimoto’s quote was in regard to continued support for the game after launch. Capcom has yet to announce whether Japan or any other region will have a paid subscription for Monster Hunter: World.

Monster Hunter: World releases on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in early 2018, and later for PC. Siliconera got to check out the game at E3 2017 and we shared everything we know about it so far in our previous report.