Monster Hunter Wilds is considering extending their Open Beta Test 2 by 24 hours following the unexpected PlayStation Network outage that disrupted gameplay over the weekend. Here's everything you need to know about the extension and the events that led to it.
Monster Hunter Wilds To Extend Beta Test 2
PS5 Players Could Not Play For 24 Hours
Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds) is contemplating a one-day extension of their Open Beta Test 2 due to the PlayStation Network outage that started at 6 PM EST on February 7th and lasted for 24 hours. This outage affected all online games on the console, including the MH Wilds beta test. The service was restored around 8 PM EST, as confirmed by the official NA X (Twitter) support account.
While the exact timing for the extension hasn't been announced, it is confirmed to be a 24-hour addition to compensate for the lost playtime. The extension could potentially occur anytime from the end of Beta Test 2 Part 2 up to February 27th, just before the game's official release. Beta Test 2 Part 1 has already concluded, and Part 2 is scheduled to start on February 13th at 7 PM PT. Players will be able to dive back into the action and might even encounter the amusing low-poly bug that transforms characters into comical, low-resolution versions.
The Cursed Low-Poly Bug Returns
Capcom has noted that the beta test build is outdated and does not represent the game's final state at launch. This has resulted in various bugs, including the well-known low-poly character glitch where textures fail to load properly, turning characters, Palicos, and monsters into blocky caricatures.
Instead of frustration, fans have embraced this glitch, sharing their humorous encounters on social media. Some even hope that MH Wilds will pay homage to its early polygonal quirks. In an interview with GamesRadar+, the MH Wilds team acknowledged the bug and expressed delight in players' enjoyment of it. However, they encourage players to experience the game with the correct specifications upon its official launch on February 28th, 2025.
Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest in the acclaimed Monster Hunter series, introduces an open-world setting called the Forbidden Lands. Players assume the role of a Hunter tasked with exploring this mysterious region and confronting its apex predator, the White Wraith. The game will be available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
PlayStation Network’s Largest Outage In Recent Years
PlayStation attributed the outage to an "operational issue" and apologized on their NA X (Twitter) support account. As compensation, active PlayStation Plus members will receive an additional five days of service.
Despite this, fans expressed dissatisfaction with Sony's communication during the outage, recalling the panic and concern similar to the 2011 PSN outage caused by a hacker attack that compromised 77 million user accounts. That incident led to a three-and-a-half-week shutdown from April 20th to May 14th. Sony then communicated extensively about the event, the need for a thorough investigation, and the extent of the attack.
