In Japan, Monster Hunter 3 will carry a fee for online play, a detail that arched some eyebrows on this side of the Pacific. Speaking at TGS, Chris Kramer, the senior spokesman for Capcom USA, said circumstances unique to Japan may make this unnecessary elsewhere. According to GamingUnion, Kramer said:

It's something that we're looking into at the moment and there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, Monster Hunter isn't as popular in the West, so it might put people off. Secondly, Japan doesn't have Friend Codes, so Capcom run all the servers and the monthly fee is essentially to pay for those costs.

Makes sense and even if it's not final, it's a good bet this means no fees.

Regarding WiiSpeak, for all six of you who have it, the Capcom producer Ryozo Tsjmoto told G4 in an interview that "a lot of users have asked for voice chat," in Monster Hunter 3, and:

We're looking into right now whether it's technically possible or not. And so if it is, maybe we'll make an announcement. If it isn't, you know, if it realistically can't be done, then I'm sorry we may have to leave it out. But we're looking into it.

And that's all the Monster Hunter 3 news I can dredge up for you at this hour.

Capcom Producer Chats Monster Hunter 3 Tri (Wii) at TGS 09 [G4 via Nintendo Everything]
Monthly Fees In Monster Hunter 3 Could Be Scrapped [Gaming Union via Nintendo Everything]

The below image reads:

Dear Customer

You are presently banned for using modded data to connect online. The ban will be left at 22:49 on 12/12/9999. The next time you violate the terms of use, you will never again be able to connect.

The year 9999 might be a long time, but it's not "never". Never is a long time. 9999? A blink in the space-time continuum.

『モンスターハンター３』で改造データを使うと9999年まで接続禁止になるらしい [オレ的ゲーム速報＠刃] [Pic]

The Monster Hunter series on the PSP has been one of the real success stories — not just for the PSP, but Capcom. The game was originally scheduled for the PS3, but later announced for the Nintendo Wii. With the Nintendo Wii being the most popular console in Japan, Capcom shipped one million copies of the game.

Yet, after moving half a million copies in its first week, indications are that sales are way down to the tune of 130,000 copies sticking retailers with unsold copies of the game. Some retailers like Bic Camera have knocked the price down to ¥2,980 (US$31) from ¥6,600 ($69) for new copies as part of a special sale. Capcom has already shipped these games. If sales are lower than targeted, retailers are getting screwed.

Don't get us wrong, Monster Hunter 3 selling half a million copies in its first week on sale is impressive. That's the biggest third party Wii debut in Japan. Selling 130,000 copies in a week is also impressive.

However, when a million copies of a game are shipped, and there is a significant drop off in its second week, one can't help but think the game isn't living up to retail expectations. But those are only sales expectations, and sales expectations smells pectations. Monster Hunter 3 is doing great!

2週目は約13.8万本。 [忍之閻魔帳] [Pic]

That is, if people enjoy watching MH3 apparently freeze up multiple times. While we're not exactly sure how this individual acquired a copy of the game, these Justin.tv screen captures do show what look like rampant freezing, and then Japanese viewers going bananas each time the game locks up.

These could very well be isolated incidents — isolated incidents that happened over and over and over again.

Monster Hunter 3 drops tomorrow in Japan, hopefully freeze-free.

オレ的ゲーム速報＠刃:『モンスターハンター３』のフリーズが多すぎるとゲーム実況プレイで話題に [オレ的ゲーム情報]

The game was originally planned as a PS3 game, but Capcom later announced it for the Wii in Fall 2007.

With only two days left before Monster Hunter 3 goes on sale in Japan, actor Satoshi Tsumabuki plays through the game, revealing two new monsters.

So exciting.

There are a couple free deals that let players test out the online feature for either 20 or 90 days, but beyond that, players will need to pony up cash for "Hunting Tickets." A 30 day ticket costs 800 Wii Points, a 60 day ticket for 1,500 Wii Points and a 90 day ticket for 2,000 Wii Points.

Starring in the ad are model Anna Ishibashi, Japanese Academy Award nominated actor Satoshi Tsumabuki, and comedian Satoshi Inoue.

Ishibashi has logged a mere three hours with the Monster Hunter franchise, Tsumabuki has clocked in at 374 total hours, while funny man Inoue has spent a whopping 4,904 hours (204 days!) with the series. And that's nothing to laugh about.

Available only from Capcom's Japanese online store, it'll come with a DVD, that includes both a live orchestral performance of Monster Hunter and a making-of documentary. It'll come with one of three monster head figures, which are packed randomly. And it'll come with some mobile phone-accessible countdown clock shenanigans.

If you were Japanese, all that could be yours for ¥9440 (USD$98)

Not necessarily. While the assets posted at the press site and the listing itself is causing a stir about the internets, a closer look at said assets reveals that they were posted in October of last year. Capcom's Chris Kramer reminds us.

We posted some MH Tri assets from TGS back in October, remember? We were also showing the Japanese demo in our suite at the New Otani as a way for North American media to see everything on the show floor without having to wait in line.

In other words, there's no confirmation here. In order to post assets under a title's name on the Capcom press site, the game has to have a listing, hence the listing as a TBD title.

Monster Hunter 3 Trailer by raven1221 [Gametrailers, thanks reader Gloom]

Thanks Matt for the scans and tip!

It is my understanding that it is up to the game companies to make business decisions on which platform to release their titles. The series has helped in the success of PS2 and PSP. Capcom has plans to release Monster Hunter Portable 2G for the PSP in March '08 [in Japan] so we hope to continue our partnership with the company.

Due to high development cost of titles for PS3, we have decided to switch the platform to which we release our Monster Hunter 3 title.

Monster Hunter 3 now a Nintendo exclusive [gamesindustry]