The highly anticipated release of Monster Hunter Wilds has sent shockwaves through the gaming world, with over 1.1 million players diving into the action on Steam within just six hours. The game’s overwhelming popularity has even led several companies in Japan to embrace the inevitable—by granting employees an unexpected holiday, citing a sudden and mysterious wave of “illness.”
Palworld Developer Joins the Fun
Leading the charge in this workplace exodus is Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld and Craftopia. In a tongue-in-cheek post on X (formerly Twitter), the company announced:
“For some reason, many employees have reported that they may be feeling unwell tomorrow, so tomorrow [they’ve] been given an extra day off.” The full statement went on to confirm that some departments remain operational, ensuring that updates for Palworld and Craftopia will continue as scheduled. However, for many Pocketpair employees, the day is theirs to hunt, gather, and conquer the untamed wilds.
Corporate Japan Quietly Acknowledges the Trend
Pocketpair isn’t the only company responding to the Monster Hunter Wilds frenzy. Over on the game’s subreddit, Japanese players have shared internal company notices announcing “recommended holiday leave” for February 28. While these memos carefully avoid drawing a direct connection to Monster Hunter Wilds, they subtly acknowledge the date’s significance by plainly stating: “February 28th is the release date for Monster Hunter Wilds.” No further explanation needed. One Reddit user, who identified as a manager, remarked:
“A suspicious number of our staff are already calling off for tomorrow. As a manager, I feel I should probably mention the obvious at our meetings as to why they might be off, but as a hunter, I wish them well. I am not mentioning anything at the manager meetings.”
This isn’t the first time Monster Hunter has had such an effect on Japan’s workforce. Previous titles in the franchise have also coincided with mysterious sick days and company-wide leaves, a tradition that Wilds is proudly carrying forward.
A Global Phenomenon
The feverish excitement isn’t confined to Japan alone. Social media platforms are flooded with players around the world showcasing their first hunts, breathtaking landscapes, and exhilarating battles against formidable monsters. The game’s early success suggests it could rival or even surpass the popularity of Monster Hunter World, which remains Capcom’s best-selling title of all time.
A Bitter Pill for Some
Not everyone is celebrating with an impromptu day off. For those in industries like journalism, retail, and game development itself, the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds means more work rather than less. As one writer at PC Gamer quipped:
“Being a games journalist, big releases like this tend to mean I have to work more, not less. But hey, we’re working hard so you can get the most out of your holiday time. Don’t say we never gave you nothin’.”
With Monster Hunter Wilds officially in players’ hands and Capcom’s servers bustling with activity, the game is already making history—not just in terms of player count but also in its ability to (unofficially) alter work schedules across Japan. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a newcomer, one thing is clear: the hunt is on, and the world is watching.
