Monster Hunter rival in the works from EA and developer of Dynasty Warriors

EA and Koei Tecmo have announced a partnership to make what they call “the next great hunting game,” in what seems to be an attempt to rival Capcom’s enormously successful Monster Hunter series.

Omega Force, an in-house Koei Tecmo Studio responsible for Dynasty Warriors Series and Samurai Warriors series as well as their numerous licensed spin-offs like Fire Emblem Warriors or Hyrule Warriors, will create the game. It’s set in “fantasy feudal Japan” and will be a “truly AAA experience,” according to the press release.

EA revealed one piece of concept art, which shows an aged temple that has been overgrown with blossom trees. EA promised that it would reveal additional information about the game in the coming months. There were no platforms announced.

Omega Force’s Musou mass-combat mode, which was created in the late 90s and still reigns supreme to this day is its most well-known trademark. But, between 2013 and 2017, it released two Toukiden titles — Monster Hunter-style games with online multiplayer, in which players hunted Oni monsters in a medieval Japanese setting. Although the new game will be an “original IP,” it sounds like it will be following closely in Toukiden’s footsteps.

EA Originals will publish the new hunting game under its label. EA often partners with small developers in order to create games that are more independent. It takes twoAnd Unravel. Although this sounds more extensive, it is still a worthwhile project. Koei Tecmo’s executive vice president Yosuke Hayashi noted that EA is offering “both development and publishing support” and helping the seasoned Japanese publisher-developer “expand our reach in global markets.”

It’s an interesting, novel kind of partnership for both publishers. EA Originals gives Koei Tecmo global scale, creative freedom and global reach. EA on the other hand can access a level of development expertise that it couldn’t replicate in-house. Both companies stand to win a significant amount of money. Monster Hunter: World is Capcom’s best-selling game ever, with 18.3 million units sold. Capcom’s series has been a worldwide phenomenon and there is no competition. This seems to be the case.