Capcom’s latest blockbuster, Monster Hunter Wilds, has stormed onto Steam, shattering records and etching its name into gaming history. Within hours of launch, the highly anticipated action RPG rocketed past 1.3 million concurrent players, making it Capcom’s biggest PC launch ever and one of the most-played games in Steam’s history.
This milestone places Monster Hunter Wilds in an elite league, surpassing the all-time peaks of Elden Ring and Baldur’s Gate 3—and potentially still climbing. Yet, while the numbers are staggering, the celebrations are clouded by mounting player frustration over poor PC optimization, performance issues, and a controversial monetization decision that has sparked intense backlash.
For context, Monster Hunter Wilds didn’t just outpace its predecessors—it obliterated them. The game’s Steam peak is nearly four times that of Monster Hunter Rise (231,360) and almost three times that of Monster Hunter World (334,684), Capcom’s previous best-seller. With launch weekend in full swing, the real question is: how high will it go? The trajectory suggests Wilds could soar past 1.5 or even 2 million concurrent players, cementing its place as one of Steam’s biggest success stories.
However, not all is well in the Wilds. Beyond performance issues, Capcom has come under fire for locking character customization edits behind a $6.99 paywall, frustrating players who feel that tweaking their hunter’s appearance should be a basic feature. While the game offers a free trial version with limited edits, full makeovers require purchasing Character Edit Vouchers—something many players see as an unnecessary and predatory monetization tactic.
Reddit users have been vocal about their disappointment, with one criticizing, “Capcom is fleecing its customers, charging for character edits when it costs them nothing to leave it free.” Others argue that the decision feels increasingly outdated, given how many modern games offer free customization, with one player stating, “Even though it’s not new, this is a decision that continues to age poorly as more games make character editing a standard feature.” Another pointed out the double standard in gaming communities, saying, “Certain studios and games get free passes. People will scream about it in some games but defend it in others.”
This isn’t the first time Capcom has faced scrutiny over monetization tactics. Monster Hunter World introduced similar paid character edit options, and Street Fighter 6 implemented premium customization changes after limited free trials. With customization features now standard in many modern RPGs, Wilds’ paywall feels increasingly out of touch with player expectations. The backlash hasn’t slowed down sales and players’ tally, but it raises questions about Capcom’s long-term monetization strategies.
Adding to player frustrations, performance issues on PC have further dampened enthusiasm. Reports of frame rate drops, stuttering, crashes, and optimization struggles have flooded user reviews, with some claiming the game runs worse than its open beta. Even high-end gaming PCs are struggling to maintain stable performance, frustrating players eager to experience the game in its full glory. Compounding the issue, a mission-breaking bug in Chapter 5-2 is preventing players from progressing, further diminishing the excitement.
Capcom has responded to the backlash, urging players to update graphics drivers, disable compatibility mode, and tweak in-game settings while they work on a permanent fix. A critical patch is scheduled for March 4 at 8 am GMT, aimed at resolving the game-breaking bug and stabilizing performance. But with over 59,800 reviews already reflecting discontent, Capcom will need to act fast to prevent long-term damage to the game’s reputation.
The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds hasn’t just been a win for Capcom—it’s also helped push Steam to a historic milestone. On March 2 at 2 PM GMT, Steam’s concurrent user count surpassed 40 million for the first time ever, breaking yet another record. The platform had previously crossed 39 million in December 2024, showing a steady rise in engagement over the past two years. The surge in Monster Hunter Wilds players undoubtedly played a role in this achievement, further solidifying its impact on the gaming landscape.
Despite the technical hiccups and monetization controversy, Monster Hunter Wilds is on a trajectory few games ever achieve. With post-launch content already confirmed for April, the player count could continue to rise—assuming Capcom can swiftly tame the performance issues and respond to fan concerns about microtransactions. The game has all the makings of an all-time great, but its long-term success hinges on how quickly these problems are addressed.
For now, Monster Hunter Wilds stands at the top—but staying there? That’s a battle Capcom still needs to win.
Words by Khushboo Malhotra
What do you think about Capcom’s decision? Are paid character edits justified, or is this a step too far? Share your thoughts with us on X/Twitter at @indie_pendent!
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