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Monster Hunter Wii Charges Subscription Fees
Capcom has confirmed that the Wii’s upcoming Monster Hunter title will charge users on a monthly basis if they want to play the game online.
A 30-day subscription to Monster Hunter Tri costs 800 Wii Points (around $8), with 60- and 90-day subscriptions priced at 1,500 and 2,000 Wii Points respectively. The deal marks a new precedent for Wii games, with this being the very first that charges customers for an online subscription.
This subscription service is only taking place in Japan. Despite the heavy charges for playing a Wii title online, by offering it to such a convivial market, the new service is expected to be a lucrative one for Capcom.
The Wii edition of Monster Hunter 3 is now unlikely to leave the borders of Japan. The title enjoys phenomenal popularity in its originating country, but so far has received a lukewarm reception elsewhere.
Source: Siliconera
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"Monster Hunter" of the console version is minor. However, in PSP, it sells in large numbers. A four-person play and all the Qwest of a PSP version are free. However, in a console version, they are fee collection online. The reason which the PSP version has hit is there.
http://vgchartz.com/games/index.php?name=Monster+hunter&console=®ion=...
Didn't the PS2 monster hunters also require a fee in Japan?
But in the US there was no fee for MH
Capcom, you really are losing the plot...first of all dodging the PS3/ 360 for a true next gen' Mhunter sequel, and now charging people for what PS2 owners had for free...oh, for shame.
I agree with Jesse_Dylan_Watson,
First of all the biggest install base for the PS3 and 360 its outside Japan and Monster Hunter while not a failure it can't be called a hit elsewhere so it makes perfect sense to keep the franchise where its such a blockbuster hit for the console with the biggest installed base. Capcom is hitting the mark with this decision.
Are you kidding? They'd be nuts not to release Monster Hunter on Wii with its huge install base.
I don't know if their fee is a good idea, but I can tell you that it's definitely a deal-breaker for me if that's the plan for the US release.
I've always been a big Capcom fan. Their global outlook, excellent localisation, region-free 360 titles and, of course, cracking games have further endeared me to the company that captured my imagination back in the days of Commando and 1942.
The recent business with charging for the Street Fighter IV alternate costumes (in 5 packs no less) left a bitter taste in my mouth, however. DOA4 managed a glut of unlockable costumes that required only skill and time rather than a credit/points card.
Now we have them implementing a subscription service for Monster Hunter 3 on the Wii.
That taste is growing in bitterness as a highly regarded company seemingly wanks for coins.
Only Monster Hunter G is confirmed to have pay for play. Though this'll probably be the case for MH3tri as well, it's not a confirmation. Rob made a mistake. Even in the article in the link to Siliconera provided at the end of the article reads "Monster Hunter G" in the title, not Monster Hunter 3 tri. Two totally different games.
Monster Hunter G was never leaving Japan, but Capcom pretty much confirmed that Monster Hunter 3 tri is definitely coming over.
I understand your point but I get the feeling that the costumes charge for Street Fighter 4 has more to do with the state of the global economy and to a bigger part to the way the industry moved in regards to DLC, I don't like to pay for some costumes too but sadly it has become the norm. I'm guessing it all started with certain horse armor but I could be wrong.
Now regarding the subscription service for Monster Hunter 3 I think it has to do with the Wii not having a proper online component and Nintendo leaving it to each individual company to work it out and as a result making it more expensive for the developer, I know they dont charge for Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Brothers but with Monster Hunter its a little bit more complex because of the way the game plays, like a MMO and also... because of the global economy.
Companies have to assure they get their investment back, if they have an online component that its vital to the game experience and they can take advantage of it to reduce costs, risk and guaranty even more that they can make their money back they will do it. Whats in there for us gamers? Mainly the assurance that the next games coming from such developers will have high production budgets and will turn (hopefully) in better and more revolutionary gaming experiences.
"Now regarding the subscription service for Monster Hunter 3 I think it has to do with the Wii not having a proper online component..."
Dunno what you mean by "proper online", but Microsoft charges annual/monthly fees as well for Live. Besides, Wii online can work flawlessly if a good amount of care and expertise is involved (see Mario Kart Wii, MOHH2, CoD:WaW, Battalion Wars 2, Strikers Charged, etc). It may not have all the bells and whistles of XBox Live, but it is functional.
That's exactly my point, because Xbox Live charges a monthly/annual fees its online component its easier and I'm guessing cheaper for developers. I never said that the Wii online games didn't work right, cause there are many examples where it does, the "proper" comment means that the online component its in charge of the developers and not Nintendo, as is the case with Microsoft, so the developers invest their time and money in getting it right.
My whole point is not to trash the Wii online experience but to point out that since Monster Hunter 3 will be online, Capcom will have to put the effort to get it done right and thus its somehow justifiable to charge a monthly fee.
"the "proper" comment means that the online component its in charge of the developers and not Nintendo, as is the case with Microsoft, so the developers invest their time and money in getting it right."
Ah, I see what you meant. Fair enough.