Monster Hunter: World staff discuss Gallery Mode and G-Rank quests in new group interview

Last week, Capcom held a live stream event for Monster Hunter: World where they had new live gameplay footage while also publishing new trailers that confirm monsters Teostra and Kushala Daora's additions to the game's roster, as well as Deviljho as a later addition through a free update patch in Spring 2018.

A number of Japanese media outlets including Gamer and Dengeki held a group interview session with producer Ryozo Tsujimoto, executive director & art director Kaname Fujioka, and director Yuya Tokuda after the live stream had ended. Other than asking about results from the previous beta test sessions held last month, this interview also covered a couple of interesting topics such as G-Rank quests and on whether we would see Carapaceon monsters like Daimyo Hermitaur or Neopterons such as Seltas.

We have made a full translation of this Japanese group interview, which you can read after the jump.

—— Could we hear how the reactions were for the beta test held at the end of last year?

Tsujimoto: We managed to get a significant amount of data, while the beta also worked as a server stress test for us. We also received a lot of good responses from people who have played it. We also put in Pukei-Pukei and Kulu-Ya-Ku while not publicly revealing them, but people were able to find them so I think it had turned out to be a good beta test.

—— Please tell us the opinion that you received the most from the beta test survey.

Tsujimoto: We got a lot of opinions related to the control method. We’re changing up the controls in this game, but people can go to Options to be able to play with the same feel as before. We didn’t explain enough about that in the beta test. There were some opinions that can already be dealt with in Options, so we’d like to properly inform about parts that were difficult to comprehend.

—— Was the server stress at a very high level?

Tsujimoto: We did really have a lot of people participating, so we’re glad to have held it.

Tokuda: Although it started past midnight in Japan, we got a lot of access just from Japan; more than what we expected.

Fujioka: Network problems were happening all over the place, so as we could inspect those problems in the 1st test, the 2nd one went smoothly. It was a very significant test.

—— How about the reactions from overseas?

Tsujimoto: It got valued as a good action game. While there are some people overseas who had never tried Monster Hunter before, letting them know of the series from watching videos and more, as well as letting them experience the action parts, were very effective.

Fujioka: I heard there were more people playing than we expected, so we’d like to make it even broader from here on.

—— In the Deviljho trailer you played its exclusive BGM, but will the likes of Teostra and Kushala Daora also have exclusive BGMs?

Tokuda: We’re properly preparing them for monsters that do have exclusive BGMs.

—— Will the likes of Teostra and Kushala Daora also have changed movements?

Tokuda: Of course. We’re arranging them a lot for this game so that they are worth challenging again (laughs).

Tsujimoto: They’re dangerous.

—— Approximately how much power did you put into the story in this game?

Fujioka: Rather than doing key quests from a group of quests like before, this game has a stronger push to progress the story by taking missions. We’re putting a lot more effort than before to play while progressing through the story.

In past titles, the story only went through Low Rank quests, but since all quests in this game can be played in multiplayer, we’re designing the storyline to cover from Low Rank to High Rank. We hope you can enjoy the story to the end.

—— After the play ends we see a display of “Event scene added,” but will we be able to re-watch the events at a later time?

Tsujimoto: At the free update patch on release day, we plan to add Gallery where you’ll be able to watch the scenes there.

Tokuda: The costumes of the Hunter, Palico, and Handler will be reflected by their equipment at that time.

—— What happens to the damage dealt in singleplayer mode when moving to multiplayer?

Tokuda: Of course they will be brought over. While the monster’s health will be changed to multiplayer mode, the damage already dealt will be reflected and won’t be wasted. By the way, the monster’s health difference is only between solo and multi; it won’t change based on the number of players.

—— As of the current trailer there are no Carapaceons or Neopterons, but are there still monsters you have not announced yet?

Fujioka: Actually we still have information we haven’t revealed yet. We want you to see them with your own eyes while actually playing the game, so please look forward to that. We’re also thinking to add more monsters with update patches.

—— What will happen to G-Rank quests?

Tsujimoto: We haven’t decided on that yet. For now, we plan to use the current system as a base, perform a number of updates to it, and add more monsters.

Fujioka: We’re thinking about whether we can add replay value and a broader range of gameplay.

Tokuda: We’re also preparing updates for things other than monsters, so please wait in anticipation.

Monster Hunter: World will be released worldwide for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 26. A PC version is also coming later in Autumn 2018. If you have a PlayStation 4, don't forget to check out the upcoming new beta session on January 18-22 that will add a new quest that pits you against the game's flagship monster Nergigante.