Capcom has just issued a special developer update for Monster Hunter: World. In a livestream that took place earlier this afternoon, the game’s producer Ryozo Tsujimoto issued several announcements, the most important of which is an expansion featuring a brand-new biome – Iceborne.
The trailer for Iceborne, which you can watch further, shows Rathalos escaping from a group of hunters before heading out over the sea, leaving its pursuers in its wake. As it flies away, it arrives at a new landmass, implying that players will be able to reach a brand-new section of the New World. As well as that new area, Iceborne will offer more story content, as well as plenty of new monsters to hunt and gear to earn.
In the update, which comes nearly a year after the game’s original release, Tsujimoto said the expansion is set to arrive in autumn 2019 for consoles. A PC version is in the works, but Capcom didn’t have any further information to offer at time of writing. Further information is due in the spring.
The update also reveals that The Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia is heading to the game as part of a special crossover event due to take place in early 2019, starring the The Witcher’s original voice actor. Given Geralt’s day job, he seems a good fit for Monster Hunter: World, but it doesn’t look like he meant to arrive in quite the manner he did – a trailer shows the witcher falling through a portal into the New World.
Introducing Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, a massive expansion coming to #MHWorld in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Yt6WeEizgq
— Monster Hunter (@monsterhunter) December 10, 2018
Finally, Tsujimoto announced the beginning of a new Free Trial. For a limited time, players will be able to experience Monster Hunter World’s early game content.