Monster Hunter Wilds is contemplating a 24-hour extension for their Open Beta Test 2 following the unexpected 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 one-day extension of their Open Beta Test 2 phase due to the PlayStation Network outage that occurred this weekend. The service went offline for 24 hours starting at 6 PM EST on February 7th, making all online games on the console, including the Monster Hunter Wilds beta test, unplayable. PlayStation Network was restored at around 8 PM EST, as confirmed by the official NA X (Twitter) support account.
As of now, the specific date or time frame for the extension has not been announced, but it has been confirmed that it will be a 24-hour extension to compensate for the interrupted playtime. This extension could occur any time from the end of Beta Test 2 Part 2 until February 27th, the day before the game's official release. Part 1 of the Beta Test 2 has concluded, and Part 2 is set to begin on February 13th at 7 PM PT. Players can look forward to resuming their adventures and possibly encountering the quirky bug that transforms the usually detailed and chiseled characters into amusing, low-resolution, low-poly blobs.
The Cursed Low-Poly Bug Returns
Capcom has previously stated that the builds used in the beta testing phases are outdated and do not represent the final product at launch. As a result, the beta build contains several bugs and technical issues, including the infamous low-poly character glitch due to textures not loading correctly. This glitch turns characters, Palicos, and even the titular monsters into blocky, distorted versions of their intended designs.
Rather than frustration, fans have embraced these peculiar oblong shapes, sharing their low-poly encounters on social media. Some fans even hope that Wilds will pay homage to its early, polygonal days in the future. In an interview with GamesRadar+, the MH Wilds team acknowledged this humorous bug and expressed happiness that players are enjoying its quirks. However, they also encourage players to experience the full game with the correct specifications upon its launch later this month.
Monster Hunter Wilds is the latest installment in the acclaimed Monster Hunter series and introduces an open-world setting known as the Forbidden Lands. Players 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 scheduled to launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on February 28th, 2025.
PlayStation Network’s Largest Outage in Recent Years
In a post on its NA X (Twitter) support account, PlayStation attributed the day-long outage to an "operational issue" and apologized for the inconvenience. As compensation, users with an active PlayStation Plus membership will receive an additional five days of service added to their current subscription.
However, fans expressed dissatisfaction with Sony’s communication during the outage, recalling the panic and concern reminiscent of a similar service interruption in 2011. The 2011 PlayStation Network (PSN) outage was caused by a coordinated hacker attack, compromising approximately 77 million user accounts. The PSN servers were down for three and a half weeks from April 20th to May 14th. During this period, Sony kept users informed about the ongoing situation, the need for a thorough investigation, and the full scope of the attack.
