Recent findings by a diligent player indicate that the PC version of the popular game, Monster Hunter Wilds, may be experiencing significant performance issues directly linked to the amount of downloadable content (DLC) users possess. This discovery sheds light on a potentially flawed system where the game continuously verifies DLC ownership, leading to noticeable frame rate reductions and overall sluggishness, prompting calls for developer intervention to rectify the situation.
Reddit user de_Tylmarande initiated an in-depth analysis, comparing game performance on accounts with varying levels of DLC ownership. The player’s meticulous testing revealed a consistent pattern: the more DLC an account owned, the more frequently and intensively the game's system performed verification checks. These constant checks, designed to confirm digital content licenses, were identified as a primary cause of CPU overload, consequently resulting in diminished in-game frame rates and a less fluid gaming experience. The comprehensive report detailing these observations gained significant traction within the gaming community, sparking wider discussion and additional investigations by other players.
To further validate these claims, Tylmarande developed a small modification that effectively bypassed the game's rigorous DLC verification process without actually granting unauthorized access to content. When this mod was active, the game no longer performed the continuous checks, and the performance saw a dramatic improvement. According to the player, with the CPU freed from the constant verification strain, Monster Hunter Wilds ran exceptionally well, even on balanced settings without the need for additional CPU boosting. This evidence strongly suggests that the issue lies within the game's internal mechanism for handling microtransactions and DLC authentication rather than intrinsic graphical or processing demands.
Initially, Tylmarande's findings faced skepticism and were briefly removed from the Monster Hunter subreddit due to perceived inconsistencies. However, as more community members independently replicated the tests and confirmed the adverse effects of the DLC checks on performance, the original post was reinstated. The renowned performance analysis group, Digital Foundry, also acknowledged these reports and announced their intention to conduct their own detailed investigation. Their preliminary statements indicated that they had also observed similar CPU saturation issues related to DLC checks, promising to provide concrete data and analysis from their testing on various PC configurations.
This isn't the first instance where Tylmarande's investigative work has brought critical performance issues to light for Capcom titles. Similar problems were identified in the PC version of Dragon's Dogma 2, with Tylmarande's insights proving instrumental in helping Capcom address and resolve those performance bottlenecks. The player has since forwarded their detailed findings regarding Monster Hunter Wilds to Capcom, though they await an official response from the development studio. Polygon, a leading gaming publication, has also reached out to Capcom for their comments, signaling the growing industry attention on this matter.
The performance problems appear to have had a tangible impact on the commercial success of Monster Hunter Wilds. Despite a strong initial launch in February 2025, where it sold over 10 million copies, sales figures reportedly saw a sharp decline later in the year. This downturn led to the game's predecessors eventually outselling it, a phenomenon attributed in part to these persistent performance issues. User reviews on platforms like Steam reflect this sentiment, with many players expressing dissatisfaction with the PC version's optimization, contributing to its "mixed" overall rating.
The extensive analysis by players and the subsequent attention from Digital Foundry highlight a critical flaw in Monster Hunter Wilds' PC optimization. The continuous, CPU-intensive verification of DLC ownership not only degrades the player experience but also raises questions about the prioritization of microtransaction systems over fundamental game performance. Capcom's response and subsequent actions to address this reported bug will be closely watched by the gaming community and could significantly impact the game's future reception and sales.