"MH Wilds Beta Test Extended Post-PSN Outage"

Monster Hunter Wilds is contemplating a 24-hour extension for their Open Beta Test 2 following a significant PlayStation Network outage over the weekend. Dive in to learn more about the potential extension and the events that led to this decision.

Monster Hunter Wilds To Extend Beta Test 2

PS5 Players Could Not Play For 24 Hours

Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds) is considering a 24-hour extension of their Open Beta Test 2 due to the PlayStation Network outage that disrupted service for 24 hours, starting at 6 PM EST on February 7th. This outage left all online games, including the MH Wilds beta test, unplayable on the console. The network was restored around 8 PM EST, as confirmed by the official NA X (Twitter) support account.

While the exact date and time for the extension have not been set, it is confirmed to be a 24-hour addition to compensate for the lost playtime. This could occur anytime between the end of Beta Test 2 Part 2 and February 27th, the day before the game's official release. Beta Test 2 Part 1 has already concluded, with Part 2 scheduled to start on February 13th at 7 PM PT. Players can look forward to resuming their adventures and perhaps encountering the amusing low-poly bug that transforms the game's detailed characters into comical, blocky versions.

The Cursed Low-Poly Bug Returns

Capcom has clarified that the builds used during beta testing are outdated and do not represent the final game's quality. This has led to various bugs, including the well-known low-poly character glitch due to texture loading issues, which turns characters, Palicos, and monsters into blocky figures.

Instead of frustration, fans have embraced these quirky low-poly versions, sharing their encounters on social media and even expressing hope that Wilds might celebrate its beta's polygonal charm in the future. In an interview with GamesRadar+, the MH Wilds team acknowledged the bug and expressed delight in players' reactions, while also advising players to experience the game with optimal settings at its official launch later this month.

Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest installment in the renowned Monster Hunter series, featuring the series' first open-world setting, the Forbidden Lands. Players will take on the role of the Hunter, tasked with exploring this mysterious region and confronting its apex predator, the White Wraith. The 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" and issued an apology via its NA X (Twitter) support account. As compensation, PlayStation Plus members will receive an additional five days of service.

However, the lack of communication from Sony during the outage caused widespread concern among fans, reminiscent of the 2011 PSN outage caused by a hacker attack that compromised 77 million user accounts and left the network down for three and a half weeks. During the 2011 incident, Sony kept users informed about the situation and the necessary steps to address it.