Capcom President Hints PS5 Price Slows Monster Hunter Sales (While PC Gamers Nod Sagely)

In a recent earnings call, Capcom President Haruhiro Tsujimoto made some waves with his insights into the sales performance of the latest entry in the beloved monster-slaying franchise, Monster Hunter Stories. While the title has managed to move over a million units across all platforms – a commendable feat by many standards – Tsujimoto suggested that these numbers, though respectable, might not be quite what Capcom had initially anticipated.

His reasoning? The current, rather steep price tag of the PlayStation 5 console itself.

Tsujimoto posited that the high cost of the PS5 could be creating a barrier for consumers, potentially dampening overall console game sales, not just for Monster Hunter Stories. It's a perspective that certainly makes you think, especially when a significant investment in hardware is required before even considering a new game purchase.

However, for those of us deeply entrenched in the world of PC gaming, this particular take landed with a gentle thud, followed by a collective, knowing smirk.

Here at PC Gamer, we found ourselves doing a double-take at the notion that console prices might be the sole, or even primary, bottleneck for Monster Hunter sales.

After all, the Monster Hunter series has enjoyed immense, often unparalleled, success on the PC platform. Titles like Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise didn't just sell well on PC; they absolutely thrived, finding massive, dedicated player bases that continue to hunt and gather to this day.

Many players embraced the PC platform specifically for the enhanced visuals, higher frame rates, and often more accessible pricing of the hardware compared to a brand-new console.

So, while we certainly understand the economic considerations around console pricing, it’s hard not to feel a tad overlooked.

With the eagerly awaited Monster Hunter Wilds on the horizon, slated for release on multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and, crucially, PC, the argument feels even more... personal. If console affordability is genuinely a concern for Capcom, then the flourishing PC market offers a vibrant, powerful, and often more cost-effective avenue for gamers to experience their incredible titles.

Perhaps the takeaway isn't that console prices are the problem, but rather that the diverse landscape of gaming platforms offers solutions.

For every gamer hesitant about a console upgrade, there's a powerful PC ready to run the latest Monster Hunter adventure, often with better performance and a more open ecosystem. We're certainly not taking it personally, but we are excitedly sharpening our greatswords and readying our Steam accounts for when Monster Hunter Wilds inevitably drops, ready to prove that the hunt is always on, regardless of the console price tag.