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Capcom taps Niantic to give Monster Hunter the Pokemon Go treatment

Monster Hunter Now aims to bring the monster hunting experience to streets, parks, and other real-world locations.

Chris Kerr, News Editor

April 18, 2023

1 Min Read
Key artwork from Monster Hunter Now showing players battling a monster

Capcom and Niantic have joined forces to give Monster Hunter the Pokemon Go treatment.

Monster Hunter Now, an AR mobile title that aims to "bring the exciting experience of Monster Hunter to streets, parks, and neighborhoods around the world," is currently slated to launch in September 2023.

The game is being distributed by Niantic and licensed by Capcom and will soon debut in closed beta form.

Capcom said it partnered with Niantic to deliver a "here and right now" hunting experience that can be played casually. Monster Hunter Now has been built using Niantic's Lightship platform and, like many of the company's other titles, uses location-based technology and AR razzmatazz that overlays creatures onto the real world.

Monster Hunter Go?

The game also boasts features that will allow people to play when and where they want, including a new item called the Paintball that can be used to bring a monster back home and hunt it alone or with friends. "Even when you’re walking around without playing the game, your companion can mark any monsters you pass by with the Paintball, so you can enjoy hunting them even after returning home," added Niantic.

The news comes less than a year after Niantic announced it would be laying off 8 percent of its workforce and cancelling four in-development projects.

In a letter sent to employees in June 2022, Niantic CEO John Hanke said the company was facing a time of "economic turmoil" and as a result had decided to streamline its operations so it could weather the storm.

Two of those cancelled titles, Transformers Heavy Metal and Hamlet, had already been publicly announced. The remaining two were unannounced projects referred to as "Blue Sky" and "Snowball."

About the Author

Chris Kerr

News Editor, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist and reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. He has featured on the judging panel at The Develop Star Awards on multiple occasions and appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.

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