Monster Hunter Now is an augmented reality (AR) focused mobile game, launched by Niantic and Capcom in September 2023. It is known for overlaying the creatures of traditional Monster Hunter titles onto real-world settings, from forest trails to office cubicles. The game builds on Niantic’s expertise with location-based games like Pokémon GO, capitalizing on the intense popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise to develop an equally loyal fan base through the game’s mobile medium.
Niantic games, like Pokémon GO, Peridot, and Monster Hunter Now, often encourage their players to get out into the real world and make genuine human connections. This goal was undoubtedly achieved during Monster Hunter Now’s first in-person event, which brought fans of the game together from around the globe.
On October 12 and October 13, thousands of players gathered in Shibuya, Japan, with their phones open and at the ready, eager to participate in Monster Hunter Now’s Carnival 2024 event. It involved hunting event-exclusive monsters and exploring the many Monster Hunter themed decorations adorning the district. Base camps were set up throughout the area, consisting of recognizable Monster Hunter weapons, a massive Zinogre display, and an entire exhibit for Rathalos’ footprint. For those fans who learned about the event too late or weren’t willing to shell out the time and cash needed to fly to Tokyo, Japan, the Carnival is going global this November.
The global event was formally announced on October 19 by Monster Hunter Now, via a post on X (formerly Twitter). The post encourages players to purchase tickets for the event, informing them that by doing so they will have the opportunity to “hunt elder dragon Nergigante, Silver Rathalos, and Gold Rathian.” They emphasize the fact that players around the world will be able to participate in the event, regardless of their location. A link to a Niantic article is attached to the post, detailing the specifics of the upcoming event.
Niantic’s Carnival 2024 article lists a series of event-exclusive quests, including joining Elder Dragon Interceptions featuring Nergigante, finding Silver Rathalos and Gold Rathian on the field, and earning Nergigante, Silver Rathalos, and Gold Rathian materials as rewards. Niantic revealed that there will be weapons and armor exclusive to the global event, all of which will no longer be available after the its conclusion. Players who participate will receive the materials needed to forge and upgrade said equipment, and the number of materials required will be reduced compared to usual. Additional event bonuses are listed as well, although briefly.
When asked about the upcoming global event in an interview with Game Rant, Niantic senior producer Sakae Osumi responded with high hopes and a sense of dedication. He explained that his team wants to “bring this event to everyone out there in the world who’s playing, not only in Tokyo, but also in the US, Europe, and all over the world.” Osumi is already considering next year’s global Carnival, hoping to learn a great deal from this current event. “We’ll wrap it up, take the key learnings, and the takeaways, and then we’ll plan for next year,” he stated. “We’ve definitely committed to hosting more events, small to large, in the coming years.”
The global event is set to take place from Saturday, November 2 at 9:00 a.m. until Sunday, November 3, 11:59 p.m. (local time). Tickets for the event are already on sale for $14.99 and are available in both the Monster Hunter Now in-game shop and the game’s official online store. Players who purchase their tickets through the online store will receive an additional 300 bonus gems. If the event has sparked any new interest in the game, potential players can still download it for free on the App Store or Google Play Store in time to participate.