Monster Hunter Wilds' Open Beta has indeed gotten off to a monstrous start, particularly on Steam. Here are the key points:
1. Massive Player Count:
- The open beta reached a peak of 463,798 concurrent players on Steam within hours of its launch.
- At one point, it was the fifth most played game on the platform, surpassing recent releases like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.
2. Cross-Platform Availability:
- The beta launched on October 31, 2024, across all platforms.
- It will run until November 4, 2024.
- PlayStation Plus subscribers had early access before the full launch.
3. Technical Issues:
- Some PC players are experiencing significant graphical glitches.
- These issues include characters and monsters appearing as low-poly "blobs," reminiscent of PS1-era graphics.
- The problem persists for some users even after trying various fixes like reinstalling the game or updating drivers.
4. Positive Reception:
- Despite technical hiccups, the beta has garnered significant interest and player engagement.
- Early previews suggest the game strikes a good balance between approachability and combat depth.
5. Future Outlook:
- The full game is set to release in February 2025.
- Capcom may use feedback from this beta to address technical issues before the final release.
The overwhelming player numbers indicate strong interest in Monster Hunter Wilds, but the graphical issues on PC suggest that Capcom has some optimization work ahead to ensure a smooth launch next year.