After announcing the game in April and completing a closed beta test earlier this month, Niantic has announced the launch date for its next major title. Monster Hunter Now will bring mobile monster hunting to your phone September 14.
Monster Hunter Now uses Niantic’s AR technology–which is also seen in games like Pokemon Go and Ingress Prime–to drop the monsters of Capcom’s RPG into the world around you. Players can hunt using touchscreen controls, upgrade weapons, and craft items to use in the next hunt.
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Six weapon types will be available to players at launch, including the Sword & Shield, Great Sword, Long Sword, Hammer, Light Gun, and Bow. The game also introduces a “paintball” mechanic where a player can “mark” a monster found in their travels with the paintball item. Once the player returns home, they can “summon” the marked creature on the spot and proceed with the hunt.
Pre-registration is available now on both iOS and Android platforms, with multiple rewards being offered for the number of pre-registrations received. The list of rewards and the levels to acquire them are as follows:
500,000 sign-ups: 10 Potions and three Paintballs
1,000,000: A Founder Medal and three Wander Pebbles x
32,000,000: Two “special pre-order makeup” items for customization and a 500-slot item box expansion
3,000,000: Two “special pre-order makeup” items for customization and three Double Rewards Tickets
5,000,000: 10,000 Zenny (in-game currency) and a 500-slot item box expansion
Finally, Niantic has also announced that the game will be available in French, Italian, German, and Spanish.