MH4 U

Where would Capcom be without Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate and its success in Japan? In a tricky spot, undoubtedly, as its latest financial results demonstrate; sales of the action title in the West will no doubt be closely watched by the company.

The Q3 financial report for Capcom highlights net sales that are 36% down on the equivalent figures last year; despite this the company is headed towards improved profits, however. Oddly, the diminishing popularity of the original Monster Hunter 4 - predecessor to Ultimate - is cited as a factor in the sales drop, along with "the delay in the introduction of a new model in the Pachinko & Pachislo sub-segment".

As for Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, it's emphasized that it's the "main product" for the period and has delivered sales "in line with the plan".

...Sales of "Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate" (for New Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS), which is expected to be a huge success, grew steadily supported by its strong popularity. The Company also worked to streamline and reinforce its development function in order to shorten the development lead time and cut development costs for video game software by, for example, introducing a large 3D scanning system.

In general Capcom described its other major releases as bringing solid performances, with the exception of Gaist Crusher God on 3DS, for which sales were "below expectations".

It'll be interesting to see whether Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, timed to release with the New Nintendo 3DS and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, can achieve notable sales in the West. We'll see soon enough when it lands on 13th February.

[source capcom.co.jp]