PSP World

Capcom Planning Monster Hunter Meeting Hall

China has outlawed public meetings of members of the Falun Gong religious sect. Japan has done the same with its dangerous Aum Shinrikyo cult. However, if governments of Asia are concerned about massive numbers of young people meeting in public places, they would do well to look into the newest cult sensation to sweep the continent: Monster Hunter Portable. Everywhere one looks, especially in Japan and South Korea, they will find groups of young people huddled around in circles with their heads down, intently slaughtering mythical beasts in this virtual world. Even though the PSP features online internet connectivity, Capcom inexplicably decided to offer only local ad-hoc cooperative play with this title (meaning players have to be within about 10 meters of each other). That hasn't stopped the game from catching on like wildfire, drawing new recruits daily to these public monster-slaying parties.

While the game has been a massive success in Asia almost despite its lack of true online connectivity, it has faced an uphill battle in North America and Europe. We Westerners are a bit more reserved about our lust for video games: we prefer to consume this form of entertainment in the solitary comfort of our own homes. We love our anonymity so much in fact, that we have even devised a clever hack so that we can still play Monster Hunter cooperatively without actually having to meet people in real life.

Capcom is convinced that it can pry us away from our antisocial hovels and wireless routers and show us the true joy of gaming without shame in public. To accompany the launch of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in London, the company will simultaneously open a physical meeting place where gamers can gather and play together. Appropriately renamed The Gathering Hall, The Lazarides Gallery at Charing Cross will provide three floors with the capacity for well over one hundred gamers. The Gathering Hall will be open daily from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM daily over the summer, with some later hours during special events. The only thing required for entry is a PSP and a copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. And, presumably, the ability to talk to strangers.

Yes, you might say, "That's all fine and good, but what if I don't want to talk to complete strangers - even worse - on the topic of a video game?" Well, we can't help you there, and this remains the big unanswered question as Capcom embarks on its two-month social experiment. Will Western gamers embrace the public side of gaming, or will they slink away uncomfortably to their familiar enclosures without ever having tasted the joy of ad-hoc hunting parties? We encourage all PSP-owning monster hunters in London to give the Gathering Hall a try. Who knows, you might find yourself on the vanguard of a public-gaming revolution.

This would be a lot simpler if you had friends to assist you.