Monster Hunter Wilds' new character customization feature sparks controversy. Capcom's latest title allows hunters to edit their appearance and that of their Palico companions, but subsequent edits require purchasing Character Edit Vouchers. These vouchers are sold in packs of three for $6 or a dual-character pack for $10.
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This monetization strategy, unannounced prior to launch, was revealed last week via Capcom's social media. Despite this and reported performance issues, Monster Hunter Wilds achieved remarkable success, boasting over 1.3 million concurrent Steam players at launch.
Player backlash has been significant. The community criticizes the paid customization, contrasting it with previous games where appearance changes were free or earned in-game. Many view this as a departure from a core franchise element. Capcom has yet to respond to this criticism. The free initial edit allows changes to hairstyles, eyebrow color, makeup, and clothing, but core facial features remain locked behind the paywall.
