Monster Hunter Wilds is contemplating a 24-hour extension for their Open Beta Test 2 in response to a recent PlayStation Network outage. Dive deeper into the details of this extension and the surrounding events.
Monster Hunter Wilds To Extend Beta Test 2
PS5 Players Could Not Play For 24 Hours
Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds) is mulling over a one-day extension of their Open Beta Test 2 due to a PlayStation Network outage that struck over the weekend. The service was down for a full 24 hours, starting at 6 PM EST on February 7th, which left all online games on the console, including the MH Wilds beta, inaccessible. The network was restored by around 8 PM EST, as confirmed by the official NA X (Twitter) support account.
As of now, the specific date or time for the extension remains unannounced, but it has been confirmed that it will add an extra 24 hours to compensate for the lost playtime. This could potentially extend from the end of Beta Test 2 Part 2 up until February 27th, just a day before the game's official release. Part 1 of Beta Test 2 has already wrapped up, and Part 2 is set to kick off on February 13th at 7 PM PT. Players will soon be able to dive back into the action and might even encounter the amusing low-poly bug that transforms the game's typically detailed characters into comical, blocky figures.
The Cursed Low-Poly Bug Returns
Capcom has noted that the builds used during the beta testing phases are older versions, and thus, do not represent the game's final state at launch. These early builds come with their share of bugs and technical glitches, including the notorious low-poly character bug due to texture loading issues. This glitch amusingly turns characters, Palicos, and even the titular monsters into blocky, low-resolution versions of themselves.
Instead of frustration, fans have warmly embraced these bizarre, low-poly encounters, sharing them across social media and even expressing hope that Wilds might pay homage to its polygonal past. In an interview with GamesRadar+, the MH Wilds team acknowledged the bug and expressed delight in the community's reaction to it. However, they also emphasized the importance of experiencing the game in its full glory with proper specifications upon its official release later this month.
Monster Hunter Wilds marks a new chapter in the celebrated Monster Hunter series, introducing the first mainstream title with an open-world setting known as the Forbidden Lands. Players will assume the role of the Hunter, tasked with exploring this mysterious region and confronting its apex predator, the White Wraith. This eagerly awaited action-RPG is slated for release on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 28th, 2025.
PlayStation Network’s Largest Outage In Recent Years
PlayStation attributed the day-long outage to an "operational issue" via a post on its NA X (Twitter) support account and issued an apology for the inconvenience. To compensate, PlayStation Plus members will receive an additional five days added to their current subscription.
Despite this, fans expressed dissatisfaction with Sony's communication during the outage, highlighting the widespread concern and panic it caused, reminiscent of the significant service interruption in 2011. That year, a hacker attack compromised approximately 77 million user accounts, leading to a three-and-a-half-week downtime from April 20th to May 14th. During that period, Sony proactively communicated with users about the incident, the need for a thorough investigation, and the extent of the attack.
