Capcom explains why Monster Hunter Online for 360

Videogamer writes: "Capcom has revealed that the Xbox 360's online capabilities are the reason it chose to create a version of MMO, Monster Hunter Frontier Online, for the Microsoft console.

Asked about the game during a Q3 Q&A conference call, Capcom said: 'We decided to offer this title for the Xbox 360 because of this console's outstanding online game playing capabilities and for other reasons.'"

[captain-obvious]

"and for other reasons" = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
lets be honest with our selvs in here
MS paid a hefty amount of cash for this

because they need games like this to sell more 360's in Japan
this game sell mainly in Japan, and it didn't do will on the wii
and the wii got much bigger install base than the 360 in Japan
so they think that the same game well do better on the 360 ??

give me a break capcom

[THE MAX SPEED 21]

or maybe both? Imagine if this game on xbox360 is a big success in america because it's an online game unlike wii games that sells poorly in america if it aint a big franchise.

[captain-obvious]

dude MH games only sell big in Japan and mainly on handhelds (PSP)
online or not
a Japanese style game would never attract American gamers
as it dose to the Japanese gamers

[qface64]

am i the only one who sees something wrong with the tittle?

anyways if it comes out overseas it will most likely still have the subscription fees since this MH game is more along the lines of FF11 and phantasy star

subscriptions can really kill a game unless its a real dedicated mmo

[FamilyGuy]

Is it me or does that sound like the answer M$ told/payed them to say?

This game is going to FLOP. Not only is it old but (show of hands) who actually wants this game on their 360? MHTri would be a different story and it might sell a good number of copies but this? THIS?

A complete waste of time and money.

qface64 - It SHOULD read
Capcom explains why Monster Hunter Online *is coming out* for 360

[Rock Bottom]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

[execution17]

if its going to have dedicated servers or that p2p nonsense :O

[SilentNegotiator]

The slogan was "Microsoft x Capcom"

If Capcom didn't have a deal with MS, there's no way they would choose such a goofy name. They would have made it something more like, "Xbox x Capcom" That would have made more sense.

[Saaking]

It's obvious MS paid tons of money to get this.

Let's look at the facts:

MH sells mostly in JAPAN
Xbox 360 does NOT sell in JAPAN.

Therefore, how the heck do they expect to sell MH on a console that doesn't even sell in the are where the game does? Only one logical explanation: MS sent them a big check.

[sikbeta]

"It's da crozz game chatz and da big pay check filled with [000000]"

lol

[Solidus187-SCMilk]

cant wait to try it out and see how it looks in HD.

[mfwahwah]

"a Japanese style game would never attract American gamers
as it dose to the Japanese gamers "

I'm pretty sure Americans love Katamari games, Super Mario Brothers and Zelda, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, Chrono Trigger, Demon's Souls, Pokèmon, etc.

[Greywulf]

It totally screws gamers.

[maniacmayhem]

My thing is this, I can see why Capcom ported an old PC port to the 360. The PC online structure is already there and it is probably really easy to port all that over to the 360 which is very PC friendly itself.

But if MS is gonna shell out that kinda dough to get a MH on their system why not throw out a couple more million to get a brand new MH "EXCLUSSSSIVLY" for its system?

[Arnon]

You don't even know how much they actually spent for this, and yet you're jumping to the conclusion that it was millions upon millions of dollars. For all we know, Capcom just didn't give a sh*t, and ported it over for a very little amount. I highly doubt this, but you get my point.

I get the feeling though that if this was announced for the PS3, it would be quite possibly the best Monster Hunter game ever created.

Either way, I'm a MH nut, and I'm gonna need to get this.

[maniacmayhem]

Let me clarify this a bit so I don't get any more MS fans butt hurt.

What I meant was MS should throw an extra few millions (which is how much if more it cost to develop on current gen systems) to bank roll and co develop an exclusive MH title for the Xbox 360. Not just port an old PC title.

[Arnon]

Microsoft fan? Really?... Just because someone disagrees with you, doesn't make them a fanboy. The reason I brought it up was because it's asinine for anyone to comment on the matter when we have absolutely no information regarding the actual reasons behind this deal.

[rroded]

the rest is jus bs imo

still smart move from ms cause if this will move 360's in asia.... if it dont nothing will...

[hazardman]

I wish MS would stop throwing money away the way they do..Instead they should buy some development studios to create games for MS exclusively. Whatever!! Back to topic..I've never played a Monster Hunter game, but I see nothing wrong with MS trying to boost some console sales in Japan..Maybe if they invest in making a slim model with wifi and slot drive and no online fees they could move a few more consoles in Japan..Sh!t I would buy 1..

[120FPS]

With all of this money MS are meant to be shelling out im surprised they have any left at all.

[captain-obvious]

"im surprised they have any left at all"

MS and Sony
can buy all the developers out there and still got money to operate their businesses

[THE MAX SPEED 21]

I dont remember where but somebody told me that MS sells a Windows OS like each 5 second or something. So just imagine how much they win WorldWide selling the Ultimate windows pack for 299.99$ and with the xbox and etc etc.

all these big corporations are worth Billions. Buying exclusives for 50million is nothing.

[Sez]

I have to agree with 120FPS. Everyone keeps saying MS pays for every game on the 360. How could they make a profit.

[Dev8 ing]

MS doesn't get the msrp for every copy of windows they sell. Most copies of windows 7 will be sold from new PC's being bought. New PC is about $400-$500, new windows $130 minimum. Do you think MS are getting 25% of each PC sold?

[DelbertGrady]

So it's impossible that Capcom just thinks Xbox Live is the best suited online service for their game?

[Jamie Foxx]

you need an online community and 360 in japan barely has one,and the monster hunter series only really sells in japan so it is a confusing decision, also PSN is not far off the amazing live service if were honest

[SnukaTheMan]

tell that to capcom..they made their choice.

[yoghurt]

No it's not impossible - but they themselves said "and other reasons"

[DelbertGrady]

Fair points considering the 360's struggle in Japan. If they want it to succeed I think they need to make it accessible to western gamers as well as asian. My biggest gripe is the extra fee I've heard rumors about. No one will play it if you have to pay something extra on top of the Live fee. It's not WoW.

[mastiffchild]

I'm amazed that they think Live is a big enough reason to turn their back on the millions of PS3 owners in Japan. For tha reason alone I suspect there's more to it than them feeling Live is a great service. theyu put Tri opn the wii and you couldn't say WiiConnect is superior to PSN is any way-in fact it meant, IIRC, that they had to do a lot of work themselves to get round issues like FCs and high latency which they prolly wouldn't on PSN or Live.

However, if they're prepared to back the worst online system with a sub based game don't bet against there being an extra charge for this, more MMO styled game IIRC, when it arrives on the 360. TBH, I'm still a LOT more interested in Tri on the Wii as it looks a better bet and more of a pure MH that I'm used to on PSP and PS2. As I understand it this game leans more to the MMO side than normal MH games and IDK how that will go down in the west and on console-because of this I don't even see MS having to pay much, plus it's an oldish game as well. Hell, I could b wildly wronmg but seeimng as no MH games have ever caught fire over here befre I'd suggest this is a long shot at best and not one MS would waste much cash on at all.

I agree that there has to have ben a sweetener for Capcom to ignore a PS3 userbase in Japan that's bigger than 360's and also likely to contain more MH gamers than he whole of the west in any case let alone just the Japanese 360 userbase. But, again, even Tri didn't rip up any trees and maybe it was worth a small scale investment on a ready amd game for MS to experiment with the series on their console full stop. Had this been MH4 I doubt we would be seeing a 360 only release anywhere as it would represent a MASSIVE risk to Capcom and the series as a whole on home consoles and while Capcm might well like Live as a service there's no way it can have been the major factor here. Lest we forget, this really isn't a big release for Capcom OR MS and serves as an experiment n my eyes which might even increase the likelihood of an extra sub to see what we'll swallow in the west. Perhaps they feel, also, that Live users, used to paying extra are more likely to go for extras even on top of that, idk, but do see this as a two sided experiment for MS/Capcom rather than a slight on Wii or PS3.

[sikbeta]

This is Simply Dumb, no way Japanese will buy an x360 for MH, they prefer to buy MH for PSP or wii instead

[ChickeyCantor]

@Soda,
This game is an old port...
The Wii version looks far better and i cant imagine how its online system will be.

MS just did this to sell their 360 in Japan

[reintype]

It's what you call a no-brainer, really. They're so used to paying for online, that's why.

[SCThor]

You need a fanbase that is willing to pay for playing online. Since PSN's users don't, LIVE service is the natural choice.

[SnukaTheMan]

What a blow to that "free" online service......finally a company to recognize the difference between free online and paid online....Now capcom dont ruin it by charging a monthly fee....

[qface64]

i bet 20 bucks you couldn't tell the difference between paid online and free online unless someone told you which was which

[SCThor]

Keep the bets coming..

[NinjaAssassin]

i bet you a hundred bucks that any impartial gamer could tell big differences if they actually used both services extensively. most people that say they are the same are people who either don't game online very much or they are partial to one console and spend most of their time playing on that console. i have both and the whole experience is richer and smoother on xbox live.

[Xwow2008]

said the same thing about FF14 on ps3 :)

[Honky Kong]

I hear FF14 is coming to xbox also... Let's see...
Belive it or not but monster hunter on xbox will sell well here in japan, real gamers own all systems even in japan.

[solidt12]

It will not sell that much in Japan. Maybe first week a little but if its not on the PS3 it's a waste unless the check from Microsoft is large enough. But gamer will lose and it will still be a waste with no one playing it. I think FF14 on PS3, PC, Xbox 360 will be bigger.

[Arnon]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

Square-Enix basically confirmed it for the 360. They're just trying to get around certain policies.

[Halo3 MLG Pro]

Makes sense.

[Dance]

Money and Live

[Dance]

FF14 is coming to xbox

[divideby0]

LOL * 10......I guess no other games run on PSN that run on Live
dont care about the game since its gonna cost...just talk about a stupid and untrue reason

[Lightel0s]

if Monster Hunter frontier monthly fee it´s included with the xbox live gold suscription this will be a massive hit in japan imo.

think all the japanese gamers crazy for play M.H.F.O

[redneck_smith]

MONSTER HUNTER ONLINE? Ç'MON WHO CARES? FF14 IS 100% BETTER
MONSTER HUNTER WELCOME TO THE FAIL LIST:

1.LOST ODDESSEY FAIL IN THE XBOX 360
2.STAR OCEAN FAIL IN THE XBOX 360
3.TALES OF VESPERIA FAIL''HORRIBLE'' IN THE 360
4.MAGNA CARTA LOL SUPER ''FAIL'' IN THE 360
5.FF13 'QUALITY' FAIL IN THE XBOX 360
6.ETERNAL SONATA 'SALES'FAIL IN THE 360
7.SPECTRAL FORCE 3 lolllll! EPIC FAIL IN THE 360
8.THE LAST REAMNANT 'FAIL' IN THE 360
9.ZOID ASSAULT ''EXTREME FAILURE'' IN THE 360

[Vincent VII]

http://stayviolation.typepa...

[chrisulloa]

I CAN TYPE IN ALL CAPS TOO

[chidori666]

i lol in this pic. +bubbles

[PLAYstar]

Ya I see this going to fail as well. Just how many of those Americans out there even know about the game call Monster Hunter? There are no guns in Monster Hunter that might pick up the interest for them. Monster Hunter = Japan, yet Japan is not = Xbox360. ITS GAME OVER !!!

[robotnik]

Not really interested since you have to pay, I will probably buy the Wii one.

[lethaldoseap]

Well final fantasy Xii you dont have to have a gold membership to play it online, you just have to pay the monthly fee.

[hamoor]

the xbox 360 is not good for MMOs FACT!

[ForROME]

Doesnt matter what you think about MS and Money or SONY, Google makes them all look laughable, Imagine if Google entered the race, they could buy SONY and MS and dominate.

Now on to the subject, its no doubt Xbox has a better online standard for games and features, that def one reason they chose them.

[Ninji]

It's because only the 360 would except a 3 year old port of a flopped PC game.

Monster Hunter is only successful on the PSP. Even the Wii version flopped.

[SIX]

Monster Hunter has Jank A$$ controls. That's why its not popular here in North America. It's obvious this is MS's strategy to penetrate the Japanese market.

[no_more_trolling]

its only about the money

why would any company go into business?

to please fanboys? no

get a life

[plb]

Exactly, Capcom is a business and in business it's all about the money and Microsoft has plenty to toss around.

[HINDERIZATION]

and accepted it...

[NinjaAssassin]

wow, so capcom is paying microsoft to allow them to have their game on the 360. sounds good for microsoft. they get a game and money in their pocket! lol you fanboys are funny.

[Dev8 ing]

The japanese would have to be the biggest idiots in the world to buy an xbox for MH when they know that all "exclusives" make their way to the PS3. And everyone knows that Americans are the idiots of the world. Not all Americans are idiots just the vast majority.

[Hate_my_neighbors]

the open zone is that way --->

[rmedtx888]

I'm wondering how many other rea$on$...

[Dance]

Just recently PS3 exclusives L.A Noire and Quantom Theory were also announced for the 360

[Viper7]

I have lost quite a bit of faith on these "J-rpgs" being "exclusive". Lately most J-rpgs have only been exclusive for a year or so and gotten a "international" Ps3 version with additional content. (Star ocean, Eternal sonata, Ninja gaiden, Tales of vesperia(jp only tough.. but how long?).

I wouldnt be too suprised to see this become yet another timed exclusive. Ps3 seems more suitable for Mmorpgs or atleast less devs are complaining about the need to fight against policies and restrictions about this.

[xAlmostPro]

are they serious? all the success its had on the PSP, then they go to wii, then the 360? do they want to rub it in anymore? this is taking the biscuit! :@

and because of its 'online capabilities' ? you mean the same as the PSN with cross game chat? lol.. its because they will be getting a monthly fee through microsoft, yeah go against your real fans for money.. lol screw these guys, along with square enix and activision hahaahahahah

[Socomer 1979]

Capcom has thier money now. Thanks M$.
It's about time 360 boys know what monster hunter is all about.
I play MHFU on Ad-Hoc Party on my PS3.
Love it. Great community on psn with psp's.

And if ya don't know now you know , ya know ugh!

[keysy420]

i would have likede to get this game but whena re these companies gonna understand we want certain games on certain systems.

[LostChild]

because if it is, it will get Capcom to think about working on a true console Monster Hunter Sequel, for both PS3 and Xbox360. As for now, the 360 is a testing ground and it's the safest way, without loosing out on a lot of money. Hench to why it is an old PC port and not a totally new game.

If this old game can manage to do 50k close to 100k in sales, on a weak console in Japan, that is a good sign, people want a MH game on the bigger consoles.

[Sigh]

Capcom needs the budget to start funding for the PS3 Monster Hunter project. What better way then MS to save the day as always.

[ironmonkey]

if you cant sell rpg's on xbox in japan what is monster hunter gonna do?

[emk2004]

why dont they just come out and say it. ms dropped a big pile of cash in front of them and said "give me something exclusive nowwwwzzzzzzz"

[Omega Zues]

This game is going to be so far under the radar no ones going to notice. I cant imagine what it will be like in Japan, let alone here in America. I doubt it will even reach 300k units, if that world wide.

[bjornbear]

i guess rich people are eccentric =P

"LETS SPEND MILLIONS ON MILLIONS ON A MARKET WE CAN'T WIN OVER!!!!"

jk jk xD

smart move, now lets see if it works.

[Eizet]

and i wanted to play MH frontier but i hope the 360 controller can be better laid out than the FF:XI mmo

[DarkBlood]

is this a different monster hunter game then the one the wii is getting?

[foxxy]

hope it is good

[DigitalAnalog]

-End statement

[jalen247]

I wish Microsoft would make better investments to make their console more attractive.

Investing in Rare was a bad idea.
Paying for the GTA 4 DLC was a bad idea.
Paying for Monster Hunter Online is a bad idea.

Why don't they just purchase some of these talented independent developers and get them to make Xbox 360 exclusives. That would be a better investment in my opinion.

[Adolph Fitler]

Bye bye all those PS3 sales in Japan Capcom.

[Swiftfox]

Capcom probably saw it more cost effective. The game was built for the PC and has already been released for the PC for over a year now.

They could easily move the game to the Xbox practically over night with nearly no cost to them. This appose too many development hours transfusing PC code to the PS3 and if they don't know what they are doing may yeild unpleasant results.

Capcom also, probably, believes that because the Xbox 360 is the more numerically popular console in the west it may be more possible to break Monster Hunter into the West using the Xbox 360 rather than the PS3. If that was the case then they should have not been money hungry and instead developed a full-fledged Monster Hunter game rather than an over year old MMO that requires subscriptions ON TOP of the Xbox Live fee's. To a brand that (to my knowledge) has never had a Monster Hunter title.

[Adolph Fitler]

I'd also like to say that Capcom seem to fly under the radar, while EA and Activision take the hits for milkage, when Capcom are one of the worst offenders.

They get praise for SFIV, which is essentially every other sf's 20 yr old stale gameplay, with shinier 3d graphics, then comes the Super ed. 10 months later that will do nothing but add a couple of the worse characters of old.

They charge a doozie for d/l content.

And release sub par games like Bionic Commando.