Home News How World's FFXIV and The Witcher 3 Collabs Inspired Monster Hunter Wilds - IGN First

How World's FFXIV and The Witcher 3 Collabs Inspired Monster Hunter Wilds - IGN First

Author : Ethan Update : Mar 04,2025

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Legacy Forged in Collaboration

Monster Hunter Wilds boasts numerous enhancements and new features, but its development was subtly shaped by earlier crossover events in Monster Hunter: World. Specifically, feedback from Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida ("Yoshi-P") and the positive player response to the Witcher 3 crossover significantly influenced Wilds' design.

Yoshi-P's suggestion during the FFXIV crossover, revealed at a collaborative event, directly led to a key HUD change in Wilds: the display of attack names in real-time. This was initially glimpsed in the 2018 FFXIV crossover, notably during the Behemoth fight, where the boss's attacks were similarly labeled. The "Jump" emote, unlocked after defeating Behemoth, further exemplifies this influence, displaying "[Hunter] performs Jump" on screen.

The success of the Witcher 3 crossover proved equally impactful. The overwhelmingly positive player reception to the inclusion of dialogue and a speaking protagonist in that event solidified the decision to incorporate these elements into Wilds.

Drachen armor set, Gae Bolg Insect Glaive, and Dragon Soul Kinsect, from the FFXIV collaboration in Monster Hunter World. Courtesy Capcom.

Director Yuya Tokuda highlighted the Witcher 3 collaboration as a successful experiment, demonstrating players' appetite for more interactive storytelling. The ability for the player character to speak and engage in dialogue with NPCs, a feature absent in previous Monster Hunter titles, is a direct result of this experiment. This is in stark contrast to the silent protagonist of previous iterations.

Monster Hunter Wilds' customizable character interacting with NPC Alma.

Tokuda's foresight, even before Wilds' active development, in pursuing the Witcher 3 collaboration showcases Capcom's proactive approach to incorporating player feedback and innovative design elements. This collaboration, along with the insights gained from the FFXIV crossover, significantly shaped the experience offered in Monster Hunter Wilds. For a comprehensive look at Monster Hunter Wilds, including exclusive gameplay and interviews, check out IGN First's coverage.