Pocketpair Grants Day Off for Monster Hunter Wilds Launch After 'Mysterious' Staff Notes

The developer of Palworld, Japanese studio Pocketpair, has given its staff the day off to enjoy the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. As reported by Automaton, Pocketpair received numerous "mysterious" notices from employees claiming they would likely be "unwell" on the game's release date, February 28. In a heartwarming gesture, Pocketpair declared this day a sort of holiday for its staff, ensuring that the development and updates on their games would not be affected.

Monster Hunter Wilds has made a remarkable debut, boasting 1 million concurrent players on Steam alone. This impressive number has propelled it into Steam's top 10 most-played games of all time, surpassing titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring. Despite its success, the game has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, prompting Capcom to release official guidance on PC performance issues. Additionally, Capcom has revealed early details about Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub for players.

The impact of Monster Hunter Wilds is felt worldwide, but it's particularly strong in Japan. One Japanese indie developer humorously noted on social media that they hadn't sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds launched. This isn't the first time Pocketpair has shown such generosity; they previously gave their staff a day off to play FromSoftware’s Elden Ring in 2022.

To help you dive into Monster Hunter Wilds, we've prepared resources to enhance your experience. Check out what Monster Hunter Wilds doesn't tell you, and explore our comprehensive guide to all 14 weapon types in the game. We're also working on a detailed Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough, a multiplayer guide to help you play with friends, and instructions on how to transfer your character from the open beta.

IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, stating: "Monster Hunter Wilds continues to smooth off the rougher corners of the series in smart ways, making for some extremely fun fights but also lacking any real challenge."