In recent times, the stock market has witnessed a surge in the shares of Capcom, a leading Japanese video game company. The company’s shares escalated by 6% on Monday, thanks to the rising popularity of its mobile game “Monster Hunter Now”. The game, which is a product of the collaboration between Capcom and Niantic, the creators of “Pokemon Go”, is rapidly gaining traction among gamers.
“Monster Hunter Now” has successfully translated the long-standing Monster Hunter series for mobile users. The game cleverly blends the thrill of monster combat with the location-based gameplay that “Pokemon Go” is known for. Since its release on September 14, it has been downloaded over 5 million times, according to a statement released by Niantic last week.
Japan, where the Monster Hunter series has a dedicated fan base, has seen the new game rise to the top of the charts. As per data from Sensor Tower, it is currently the highest-grossing app on Apple’s iOS platform in Japan. It has surpassed local favorites like horse racing idol game “Uma Musume Pretty Darby” and manga app Piccoma.
However, despite its early success, industry analysts are skeptical about whether “Monster Hunter Now” can emulate the global success of “Pokemon Go”, which took the world by storm in 2016. “From a global perspective when compared to a super brand like “Pokemon”, it is still niche,” commented Serkan Toto, founder of consultancy Kantan Games.
Investors are closely monitoring Capcom’s mobile prospects as the company plans to expand its mobile offerings by introducing titles from the “Resident Evil” franchise to high-end iPhones this year. The continued success of “Monster Hunter Now” could significantly boost Capcom’s fortunes. The company’s shares have already seen an increase of a third this year, bolstered by the strength of franchises such as “Street Fighter”.
The success of “Monster Hunter Now” would also be a much-needed respite for Niantic. In June, the company had to announce redundancies and halt the development of some titles due to difficulties in creating new successful games.
Japan has always been an appealing market for location-based games. Square Enix, another gaming company, experienced a hit with “Dragon Quest Walk” since its launch in 2019. However, the market is getting increasingly competitive. “It’s getting a little bit crowded in the genre,” observed Toto.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the latest technology trends, the success of “Monster Hunter Now” could be a harbinger of more location-based games in the future. As companies continue to explore how to make money online, the gaming industry’s potential for growth and profit cannot be overlooked.
While the future of “Monster Hunter Now” is yet to be definitively charted, its current success offers promising prospects for both Capcom and Niantic. As gamers around the world continue to engage with this new offering, it could potentially pave the way for more innovative and engaging gaming experiences.