Monster Hunter Wilds Is So Huge It’s Making Other Games Invisible

The recent release of Monster Hunter Wilds has taken the gaming world by storm, drawing in a massive number of players. This overwhelming popularity has had unintended consequences for smaller game developers.

STP WORKS, a small Japanese indie studio, experienced a sudden and complete halt in their game sales coinciding with the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. They shared a screenshot on Twitter showing zero sales since the action RPG’s release, humorously noting, ‘We haven’t sold a single game since Monster Hunter Wilds’ launch, lol.’

Despite the lighthearted tone, this situation highlights a major challenge for indie developers. When a big title like Monster Hunter Wilds grabs the gaming community’s attention, smaller games can struggle to stay visible. STP WORKS specializes in unique online multiplayer coin pusher games, such as Old Coin Pusher Friends 3 and French Fries Pusher Friends. These games are completely different from Monster Hunter Wilds, yet the indie studio still felt the impact of the blockbuster release.

The success of Monster Hunter Wilds is undeniable. On PC, it quickly surpassed one million concurrent players, putting it among the top five all-time peaks on the platform. This level of engagement shows just how powerful the Monster Hunter series has become.

But this isn’t new. Indie developers often have a tough time when their game releases happen alongside major titles. The gaming market’s attention shifts almost entirely to big releases, making it hard for smaller games to get noticed. This can cause a big drop in sales for indie studios, affecting their financial future and upcoming projects.

For players, this is a reminder that there are plenty of other games worth checking out. While blockbuster titles offer massive worlds and high production value, indie games bring fresh ideas and unique experiences that can be just as fun. Exploring these smaller titles can lead to unexpected favorites that might otherwise get overshadowed.

In the end, the massive success of Monster Hunter Wilds has affected more than just its own players. Indie developers like STP WORKS are feeling the impact of a market that heavily favors big-budget releases. Supporting a variety of games helps keep the gaming world diverse, creative, and exciting for everyone.