Palworld Dev 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, the studio humorously noted on social media that several employees had mysteriously reported feeling unwell on the game's release day, February 28. This playful gesture highlights the excitement around Monster Hunter Wilds, allowing Pocketpair's team to dive into the game on its launch. Despite this, Pocketpair reassured fans that the development and updates of their own games would continue unaffected.

Monster Hunter Wilds has made a remarkable debut, achieving 1 million concurrent players on Steam, which positions it among the top 10 most-played games on the platform, surpassing titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring. However, 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 for players.

The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has had a significant global impact, particularly in Japan, where its influence is keenly felt. One Japanese indie developer humorously claimed on social media that they hadn't sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds' release. This isn't the first time Pocketpair has shown such support for a major game release; they previously gave their staff a day off to play Elden Ring in 2022.

To enhance your experience with Monster Hunter Wilds, be sure to check out guides on what the game doesn't tell you, as well as a comprehensive guide to all 14 weapon types. We're also developing a detailed walkthrough, a multiplayer guide to help you play with friends, and instructions on transferring your character from the open beta. IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the series' mechanics for more enjoyable combat, though noting a lack of significant challenge.