Palworld Dev Pocketpair Gives Employees Monster Hunter Wilds Launch Day Off After Receiving ‘Mysterious’ Notes From Staff Who Said They’d Probably Be Too Unwell to Work

The developer of Palworld, Japanese studio Pocketpair, recently announced a unique gesture towards its employees. On February 28, coinciding with the official release of Monster Hunter Wilds, Pocketpair gave its staff the day off to enjoy the game. This decision came after several employees humorously reported feeling "unwell" on the release day, prompting the studio to declare a sort of holiday. Pocketpair assured fans that this would not impact updates on their games, showcasing their commitment to both employee well-being and game development.

Monster Hunter Wilds has made a remarkable debut, achieving 1 million concurrent players on Steam and securing a spot in the platform's top 10 most-played games of all time. This impressive launch places it ahead of notable titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring. Despite its popularity, the game has received a 'mixed' user review rating on Steam, leading Capcom to release official guidance addressing PC performance issues. Additionally, Capcom has teased early details about Monster Hunter Wilds Title Update 1, which will introduce an endgame social hub.

The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has had a significant impact globally, particularly in Japan, where it has dominated the gaming market. One Japanese indie developer humorously noted on social media that they hadn't sold a single game on Steam since Monster Hunter Wilds' release. This isn't the first time Pocketpair has supported its staff's gaming interests; they previously offered a day off when FromSoftware's Elden Ring was released in 2022.

To enhance your experience with Monster Hunter Wilds, check out guides on what the game doesn't explicitly tell you, a comprehensive look at all 14 weapon types, and our ongoing Monster Hunter Wilds walkthrough. Additionally, our multiplayer guide explains how to play with friends, and if you participated in the open betas, learn how to transfer your beta character. IGN's review of Monster Hunter Wilds awarded it an 8/10, praising the game for refining the series' mechanics to deliver enjoyable battles, though noting a lack of real challenge.