Monster Hunter Wilds launched this week, and let’s just say—things have not gone smoothly. The core gameplay? People love it. But the performance issues? A nightmare. Plenty of players pre-ordered the game, thinking it would run just fine because the benchmark demo and open beta seemed okay. Their PC specs were more than enough, yet when they booted up the full game, they got hit with severe performance problems. Once again, this proves why pre-ordering games is a gamble—and not the fun kind.
The Problem With Streamers and Early Access
One of the biggest issues leading up to Monster Hunter Wilds’ release was early access for streamers. These influencers played on high-end setups, making the game look polished and smooth. But for the average player? Not so much. What they saw in pre-launch gameplay wasn’t what they got when they loaded up the game on their own machines at launch.
And then there’s the Twitch promotion. Capcom is offering a Hunter Help: Assistance Pack if viewers gift a subscription. So now, streamers have even more incentive to keep playing—even if they know the game isn’t running well. Instead of fixing the issues, Capcom is doubling down on engagement. That’s a problem.
Streamers and the Ethics of Recommending Games
Another issue? How some streamers are handling viewer questions about whether they should buy the game. If a streamer is running Monster Hunter Wilds on top-tier hardware, they know they aren’t dealing with the same problems as most players. If they still enthusiastically say, “YES!” without mentioning performance issues, that’s where things get sketchy.
- Omitting critical information – If they know the game has major problems for a lot of players but don’t mention it, that’s misleading.
- Financial incentives – If they’re benefiting from the Twitch promotion, they have a reason to push the game, even if it’s not in the best state.
- Trust and influence – Viewers rely on streamers to be honest. A responsible one will tell people about known issues and suggest waiting for patches if their setup isn’t high-end.
It’s not illegal, but it sure is questionable. Some viewers will buy the game based on incomplete or biased information, and they’ll be the ones stuck with a game that doesn’t run well. Streamers need to be upfront—because transparency matters.
Pre-Orders: A Gamble With No Safety Net
Big games launching in a broken state? Not new. Monster Hunter Wilds is just the latest in a long line of releases where players paid full price for something that doesn’t work properly. And what can they do? Hope for patches. Refund policies are inconsistent. PlayStation makes it especially tough to get your money back once you’ve downloaded a game. In most industries, if you buy something defective, you return it. In gaming, it’s not that simple.
And the kicker? Players don’t own the games they buy. They’re just purchasing a license to access it—meaning restrictions, limitations, and potential revocations. When a game is broken at launch, players are stuck with something they never truly owned in the first place. That’s a serious problem. Companies can sell access to a game that barely runs, face zero real consequences, and keep cashing in.
Pre-orders guarantee companies make money before proving their product is worth it. It encourages marketing and hype over quality. Developers and publishers know that, even if they ship a mess, plenty of players will hold on, hoping for patches instead of demanding refunds. And that’s exactly what keeps happening.
How to Protect Yourself as a Consumer
Until gaming has better consumer protections, the best way to avoid disappointment is simple: don’t pre-order. Instead:
- Wait for post-launch reviews from everyday players, not just early-access streamers.
- See how the game runs on hardware similar to yours before buying.
- Push for better refund policies on platforms that make it hard to get your money back.
- Support developers who launch polished games instead of rewarding rushed releases.
Stop Pre-Ordering
Monster Hunter Wilds is just another reminder: pre-ordering is risky. Until developers and publishers take responsibility for launching finished products, the safest move is to wait. No digital bonus or pre-order perk is worth spending money on a game you can’t even play properly. The industry should put players first—but until that happens, it’s up to consumers to protect themselves from yet another disappointing launch.
