Rumor: Microsoft Developing Their Own Monster Hunter After Finding Capcom Series Too Expensive To License For Game Pass

Ryan Pearson |

Feb 1, 2022

Source: Monster Hunter Rise (2021), Capcom

Microsoft are reportedly working on making their own Monster Hunter-inspired game after allegedly finding that it would be too costly to bring Capcom’s popular series to Games Pass.

First claimed to be in development by video game journalist Jeff Grubb on the 31st episode of Giant Bomb’s GrubbSnax podcast, and later corroborated by an additional report from Windows Central, Microsoft’s “Project Suerte” (Spanish for “Luck”) is being developed by Certain Affinity, whose previous credits include work on the multiplayer modes of such titles as Halo and Call of Duty.

The game has supposedly been in development since Summer 2020, and is expected to be revealed sometime in 2023. Assuming development runs smoothly and the title can avoid being cancelled like the similarly-themed Scalebound was, Project Suerte should subsequently launch in 2024.

Though nothing has yet been confirmed, interestingly, Certain Affinity announced in February of last year that they were working on a new IP in a genre and gameplay style that they had “always loved.”

“All we can say for now is that this ambitious new project is the culmination of our goals to steadily and healthily grow a world-class team to create an original IP,” the studio told Gematsu at the time.

Further, according to job listings on both LinkedIn and their own website, Certain Affinity appears to be bringing on a sizable amount of new artists, designers, and programmers.

On top of the above, Certain Affinity may still be working on other projects. Windows Central claims that their sources have informed them that the studio “may also be working on a new game mode for Halo Infinite, which could be a take on the popular battle royale formula or something completely different entirely.”

So, why would Microsoft risk making their own Monster Hunter, rather than bring the series to Xbox?

The series has sold a collective 78 million copies since September 30th, with recent titles being a smash hit for Capcom.

Monster Hunter World sold 17.5 million copies since its launch in January 2018, earning the base game the title of ‘Best Selling Capcom Game’. It’s expansion, Iceborne, sold 8.5 million copies, earning it a spot as the serie’s 4th best selling entry.

The latest title, Monster Hunter Rise, has thus far sold 7.5 million, and is set to see the launch of its first expansion, Sunbreak, this Summer.

Between World appealing to new fans and Rise bringing back fans of the older games, it seems Capcom’s action RPG series can’t lose – except, clearly, when it comes to Microsoft.

Reportedly deciding that the cost of licensing Monster Hunter titles for its Game Pass subscription service would be too high, Microsoft has reportedly turned to finding developers to make something similar, but this time owned by them.

Notably, while Game Pass already features plenty of titles from major third-party developers and publishers, including Bandai Namco, SEGA, and Square Enix, it currently features no Capcom games.

Though such titles as Resident Evil 7, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, and Dead Rising were previously present on the service, Capcom’s offerings cycled out of Game Pass sometime in 2021.

Given the lack of Capcom titles on Game Pass, one can only speculate as to both what price Microsoft supposedly refused to pay and whether or not it has to do with the publisher’s continued absence.

Nonetheless, if this rumor is true, Microsoft and Craetive will have their own challenges to face in creating a Monster Hunter-style title that distinguishes itself from the pack.

Aside from the original series that inspired the genre, Project Suerte will have to contend for players’ attention among such competitors as Phoenix Labs’ free-to-play Dauntless and Bandai Namco’s God Eater series.

What would Microsoft and Creative Assembly need to bring to the table to set Project Suerte from Monster Hunter? Let us know your thoughts on social media and in the comments below!

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