Capcom has shared that a large-scale expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds is already in development. This confirmation was part of a short anniversary message video released on the official Monster Hunter YouTube channel to celebrate the game’s first year.
In the video, series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto looks back on the launch year and talks through what is coming next. Although most of the video focuses on upcoming anniversary content, there is one part that immediately caught everyone’s attention: Campcom is working on a full expansion on the scale of Iceborne or Sunbreak, with more details planned for summer 2026.
Not Surprising, But Still Important
Over on Reddit, the reaction to this was mostly what you would expect. Monster Hunter has followed this expansion pattern for years, so few were shocked by the announcement. Nevertheless, hearing it confirmed helped calm concerns after what most players would describe as a rough first year.
So, based on past releases, players now expect:
- A proper reveal during Summer Game Fest or Gamescom
- A release window somewhere in early or spring 2027
- A structure similar to past expansions in scope and content
In that sense, the announcement did mostly just help calm doubts more than it created excitement.
What Players Want From the Expansion
The expansion talk also reopened ongoing discussions about Wilds current state. Performance issues were mentioned often, especially on PC and PS5, with a lot of players hoping the expansion will include more optimization work.
It is no surprise that many players feel Wilds launched lighter than expected, in terms of content. Specifically calling out:
- Fewer long-term side systems
- Simpler map layouts with heavy cave use
- Less rewarding endgame loops compared to World
Because of that, the expansion is widely seen as a chance to improve the foundation, not just add monsters. At the same time, a lot of fans warn that relying on expansions to fix base game issues should not become standard practice.
Anniversary Update Brings Content In The Meantime
Next to the expansion tease, Capcom also outlined a busy anniversary period starting February 18. Highlights include:
- A month-long in-game event
- Returning seasonal events on a weekly rotation
- New 10-Star Arch-tempered quests
- A Monster Hunter Stories 3 crossover
- Additional quality-of-life updates
Players who log in during the anniversary will also receive a free item pack.
Tsujimoto closed the video message with his familiar “Happy Hunting” sentence. It might not seem like much, but this is a small detail that many fans noticed and came to appreciate over time, especially after such a turbulent year.
The expansion is still a long way off, but this confirmation is the biggest sign yet that Capcom plans to stick with Monster Hunter Wilds and keep building on it to move things forward for the game, even when most players had already given up on it. So, who knows… maybe MHWild’s future is looking a little brighter, indeed.
For more updates on the game, head back to our Monster Hunter Wilds news hub.