Capcom is considering an additional beta test for Monster Hunter Wilds after a major PlayStation Network outage disrupted the open beta on PS5. The second beta, which launched on February 6 at 10pm ET for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, hit a snag when PSN went offline for a full 24 hours on February 7, leaving PS5 players unable to join the fray. The outage, which lasted until late evening on February 8 ET, cut short the beta’s planned testing period and has prompted Capcom to rethink its strategy for gathering critical feedback.
In a follow-up statement, Capcom thanked fans for their patience while Sony worked to restore service and acknowledged that the interrupted beta period has resulted in lost testing time—especially for the PS5 community. This disruption is significant, given that the primary goal of the open beta was to stress-test the game’s server infrastructure ahead of its full release scheduled for February 28. With the beta already drawing in over 225,000 concurrent players on Steam, missing a full day on PS5 could skew vital performance metrics and feedback.
To address this imbalance, Capcom is reportedly considering a bonus beta test exclusively for PS5 users. If confirmed, this additional session could be scheduled as early as the week of February 10, giving affected players a second chance to experience Monster Hunter Wilds and help fine-tune the game across all platforms. This proactive approach not only ensures comprehensive testing but also reinforces Capcom’s commitment to delivering a stable and optimized gaming experience at launch.
Meanwhile, Sony has not yet detailed the cause of the outage but has confirmed that all PlayStation Plus members will receive an automatic five-day subscription extension as compensation for the downtime. This gesture underscores the challenges in maintaining robust online services, particularly during high-traffic periods such as game beta tests.
As the countdown to the full release of Monster Hunter Wilds continues, the gaming community is keenly watching for more details from Capcom regarding this potential bonus beta. With every beta test serving as a crucial opportunity to perfect gameplay and server performance, a well-executed additional session could prove pivotal in ensuring that the final product meets the high expectations of fans worldwide.
