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

The developer of Palworld, Japanese studio Pocketpair, recently granted its staff a day off to enjoy the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28. This decision came after several employees humorously claimed they would be "feeling unwell" on the game's launch day. Pocketpair shared this light-hearted news on social media, emphasizing that this fun gesture would not impact their game updates.

Monster Hunter Wilds has made a remarkable debut, achieving a staggering 1 million concurrent players on Steam, securing its spot among the platform's top 10 most-played games. This achievement places it ahead of major titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring. Despite its popularity, the game has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, prompting Capcom to release official guidance on PC performance issues. Additionally, Capcom has teased early details about Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub.

The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has had a significant global impact, with a particularly strong influence in Japan. One indie developer humorously noted on social media that they hadn't sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds was released. This isn't the first time Pocketpair has shown such support for gaming culture; they previously gave their staff a day off for the release of FromSoftware's Elden Ring in 2022.

To enhance your Monster Hunter Wilds experience, dive into our resources. Discover what the game doesn't explicitly tell you, explore a comprehensive guide to all 14 weapon types, and follow our ongoing Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough. For those interested in multiplayer, we have a detailed guide on playing with friends. If you participated in the open betas, learn how to transfer your Monster Hunter Wilds Beta character.

IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the series' mechanics in smart ways, resulting in enjoyable combat, though noting a lack of significant challenge.