An Unforeseen Slump: Why Monster Hunter Wilds Did Not Meet Capcom’s Sales Expectations

In the high-stakes world of AAA gaming, a successful launch is often judged by its opening week numbers. By that metric, Monster Hunter Wilds was an undeniable, historic success. The game, which was released in February 2025, sold a staggering 10 million units within its first month, setting a new record for Capcom and solidifying its place as one of the fastest-selling games of all time. But in a surprising and candid report from the company’s latest financial conference call, Capcom executives have stated that the sales of Monster Hunter Wilds “fell short of our initial expectations.” This stunning admission has sent shockwaves through the industry, raising the question: in what world is 10 million copies not enough? The answer lies in a combination of a significant post-launch sales slump, a rocky reception from a vocal part of the fanbase, and a series of technical issues that have soured the experience for many players.

The Tale of Two Sales Periods

The numbers from Capcom’s financial report paint a clear but troubling picture. While the game had a record-breaking launch, its “legs”—or long-term sales—have been anemic. The report revealed that between April and June, Monster Hunter Wilds sold only an additional 500,000 copies. This is a massive drop-off from the game’s launch month and represents a significant loss of momentum for a franchise that has consistently demonstrated strong, evergreen sales. For context, the previous entry in the series, Monster Hunter Rise, which was released in 2021, sold an additional 389,000 copies in the same quarter, nearly matching the new game’s numbers. This is a major red flag for investors and a clear sign that something went wrong after the initial burst of sales. The game’s underwhelming performance in its second quarter has already led to a drop in Capcom’s stock price and has created a sense of urgency within the company to fix the issues that are holding the game back.

A Rocky Reception and Unfinished Product

While the launch numbers were strong, the game’s reception was a different story. The PC version, in particular, has been plagued by performance issues and poor optimization. On Steam, the game currently holds an “Overwhelmingly Negative” rating in recent reviews, with players reporting frequent crashes, frame rate drops, and other technical problems. This is a stark contrast to the positive reviews the game received upon launch and is a clear sign that the developers rushed the game out to meet a deadline. The game’s overall design has also been a source of contention for many hardcore fans. While the game’s seamless world and cinematic story have been praised, many players have criticized the game’s streamlined progression, a lack of an in-game gathering hub, and an endgame that feels “shallow” and “unfinished.” The developers, in a rare move, have acknowledged these issues and have been working to address them. They have announced that they are bringing forward parts of a planned title update to August, including new endgame content and gameplay adjustments, in an attempt to win back the community’s trust. The company has also committed to a “multifaceted plan” to fix the lingering PC performance issues, a move that is a direct response to the game’s cratering sales.

The Road to Recovery

The sales slump of Monster Hunter Wilds is a classic case study in the dangers of prioritizing a quick launch over a polished product. While the game sold well in its first month, the negative word-of-mouth and technical issues have had a lasting impact, leading to a significant drop in long-term sales. Capcom is now in a difficult position, with a major new game that is underperforming and a community that is losing patience. The company has stated that it plans to “encourage sales through free title updates and pricing strategies,” which means that we can expect a number of major content drops and sales in the coming months. This is good news for both new and returning players, as it means that the game will continue to be improved and that it will be available at a cheaper price point. For now, however, the verdict is in: the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds was a commercial success, but its long-term performance has been a massive disappointment. The road to recovery will be a long one, and it remains to be seen if Capcom can win back the trust of its most dedicated fans and turn the ship around.