Monster Hunter Now is approaching its six-month anniversary, and Niantic is marking the occasion with celebratory content and updates to the game mechanics. Most notably, during Part 1 of the celebration, monster spawns will be increased, appearing in more places and more frequently. They will also respawn after one hour instead of three, allowing players to take on at least triple the usual amount of hunts.
This move is aimed at increasing player engagement and playtime, consequently boosting in-game spending. Since the game’s monetization relies heavily on the purchase of healing items, providing more opportunities to fight monsters is a clever way to offer more content and encourage spending at the same time.
With the game’s in-app revenue falling recently, the gameplay tweak and anniversary content come at an opportune time, potentially giving the game a second wind. The monetization strategy includes the sale of limited-time packs during the celebration, with direct offerings of hunting resources and healing items to enable players to participate optimally in the increased monster appearances.
In addition to the celebratory content, the development team plans to make adjustments to story quests to help new players progress quickly and encounter a wider variety of monsters. However, some winter-exclusive content is expected to be phased out, creating a sense of urgency for players to engage with the game ahead of these departures.
As part of the 20th-anniversary celebrations of the larger Monster Hunter franchise, exclusive event quests, materials, and commemorative medals will be available in the game. These updates are designed to coincide with Monster Hunter Now’s six-month anniversary, creating a more comprehensive celebration.
Part 2 of the celebration, running until March 24, will bring anticipated updates such as new monsters, weapons, and other surprises. The addition of a new subspecies and a potential expansion to incorporate content from the Monster Hunter Rise series may further diversify the game’s offerings.
In conclusion, the Monster Hunter Now team has expressed excitement about the upcoming content and celebrations, and the game looks poised to recapture player interest through these offerings.
