Capcom shares lunge 6% on 'Monster Hunter' mobile launch
25/09/2023 08:51
By Sam Nussey
TOKYO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Japanese video game company
Capcom 9697.T enjoyed a 6% jump in its stock price on Monday
as gamers flocked to the mobile instalment of its long-running
"Monster Hunter" franchise, developed with "Pokemon Go" maker
Niantic.
"Monster Hunter Now", which combines monster fighting action
with the location-based gameplay of "Pokemon Go", has been
downloaded 5 million times since its Sept. 14 launch, Niantic
said last week.
The strong start is a boost for Capcom, whose shares have
gained a third this year supported by the strength of franchises
such as "Resident Evil". It is also welcome news for Niantic,
which in June announced redundancies and halted development of
some titles after struggles to create new hits.
In Japan, where the "Monster Hunter" franchise has a loyal
following, the new game is the top grossing app on Apple's iOS,
showed data from Sensor Tower, ahead of local favourites such as
horse racing idol game "Uma Musume Pretty Darby" and manga app
Piccoma.
"Monster Hunter Now" has received praise for translating the
storied series for a mobile audience. However industry observers
question if the title can replicate the success of "Pokemon Go",
which became a global phenomenon after it was released in 2016.
"From a global perspective when compared to a super brand
like 'Pokemon', it is still niche," said Serkan Toto, founder of
consultancy Kantan Games.
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
((sam.nussey@tr.com;))