Capcom: No online for MH3 Ultimate 3DS, Wii U version uses Nintendo servers, Tri server shutdown, lots more
Capcom has been answering a ton of questions about Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on its online forum. Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer/Senior Vice-President and Yuri L. Araujo, Associate Online/Community Specialist provided some insight into the Wii U and 3DS versions.
We’ve rounded up a bunch of their comments below. The two confirmed no online for the 3DS game, discussed an eventual server shutdown for Tri on Wii, the long wait for Monster Hunter localization, the possibility of a software bundle on the Capcom Store, and lots more.
Araujo confirming no online for the 3DS version…
“Anyways, no plans for online mode on the 3DS version. Sorry =(”
Svensson also confirming no online for the 3DS version…
“I’d have loved to have seen online as well for 3DS but it twas not to be. Sorry.”
Svensson on shutting down the Tri servers for Wii…
“At some point in time (I’m not saying when… we’ll give everyone a heads up well in advance when we make that decision) we will sunset the Tri servers which are hosted by KDDI in Japan. I was adamant that we not do so until we had a proper alternative title to allow people to migrate to if they wish. It would have been bad just cut people off with no other place for them to hunt, in spite of the significant costs of operation.”
Svensson on the possibility of moving Tri saves over to Ultimate…
“I do not believe save transfers from Wii to Wii U or 3DS will be possible that I’m aware of. You get to experience some portion of the original title again. Remember, it’s about the journey, not the destination.”
Svensson on regional servers…
“This element I still need some clarity on. Obviously, cross territory network performance even if matching is possible, could have issues. For Wii U we’re using Nintendo’s servers (which I’m very happy about) and I’m not sure how they’re set up. Candidly, we’re still waiting for Wii U builds in our office to play with and there’s still many moving parts that no one except for the team members has first hand experience with at this point. We have six months until release (roughly). We’ll have a lot more detail on these and other questions (most of which we DO know the answers to) as we move through the communications/marketing campaign and run-up to launch.”
Svensson on the possibility of transferring Japanese 3DS data to the US version…
“Not that I’m aware of. Remember, the Western version is slightly different from the Japan version and the 3DS tends to be region locked. I’d think a bigger obstacle for most people would be the need to have a Japanese 3DS and a US 3DS, each with copies of the game rather than putting in a couple hundred hours catching up your save. That said, no one in our office has done any tests on that front. Without final code that would be impossible for us to test and we’re still a couple months away from that.”
Svensson on the possibility of adding Wi-Fi functionality to the 3DS version…
“Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely at this point. Trust me, we’ve had internal debates a-plenty about it over the years.”
Svensson on any differences in Ultimate between the 3DS and Wii U versions…
“Given that there is cross play, there shouldn’t be any differences in content between the two (at least, that’s what the team has told us to this point).
“Any other details beyond that, I’m going to have to plead the 5th on until later in the campaign. Today was all about the announcement and other details we’re holding until later.”
Araujo on the long time it takes to localize Monster Hunter game…
“No, we don’t enjoy seeing you suffer… Localization is just one of those things that takes time and a lot of strategy. For one, it’s not just translation. Plus, we wanted to deliver a title that had full online multiplayer integration (Wii U), and that took a lot more development. But now we can offer you MH3U on the Wii U, with HD graphics, online, save-sharing with the 3DS version… that’s all awesome stuff – but it all takes time.”
Svensson on additional Wii U support…
“For now, that’s what we’ve announced. Yes. And there are many thousands of people who are thrilled with the announcement of what is our our currently largest brand coming to Nintendo’s existing portable and new console platform.
“The significance of that should not be underestimated.”
Svensson on any bonus content not seen in the original Japanese Tri G release and the possibility of some sort of bundle for the Wii U/3DS games…
“There are some subtle differences in feature set of Ultimate (like the ability to transfer saves from 3DS to Wii U) from the original Japan release of 3G, but game content should be identical.
“There won’t be a hard bundle of the games, but I’ve been speaking with Darin about providing some sort of soft bundle purchase option within the Capcom Store. Don’t hold me to it yet as we’re still pushing the pencil around but we’ll see what we can do.”
