Monster Hunter, first released in Japan on the Playstation 2, was a widely appreciated title throughout the country. While there is a single-player mode, much of the game's allure spawned from its extensive online multiplayer mode which contained rare monsters and items only attainable through online play. As the Japanese release of Monster Hunter 3 (read as "tri") for Wii approaches, producer Ryozo Tsujimoto provides new details and insight about the title in a recent interview with GameTrailers.com.

Built from the ground up, every character model, "system, and resource" was designed specifically for Monster Hunter 3. Tsujimoto comments that the graphics engine is "built from scratch" with the goal of creating the "number one graphics for the Wii."

Since Monster Hunter 3 is being released on the Wii, Tsujimoto was able to create a new type of control scheme impossible in previous Monster Hunter titles. A major concern when developing the game's controls was to create a setup that wouldn't tire out the player. The development team wanted to create a control style which was "adaptable to different kinds of players", whether they were new or experienced. Players will be able to choose between motion controls using the Wii Remote or more traditional controls with the Classic Controller. When using the simple control scheme on the Classic Controller, pushing the "A" button will automatically create a series of attacks.

Creating a better online network was another major development concern of the team. The Monster Hunter 3 (tri~) network is intended to "be easier to allow individual machines to connect" with one another. Previously, with the handheld PSP versions, players were forced to sit very close to one another in order to make use of the Ad hoc networking functionality. Tsujimoto assures fans that with their "seven years of experience in creating networks" there have been very few problems during development of the Wii game.

Monster Hunter 3 online play will feature parties of (up to) four players, performing different quests throughout the world. While the town will be the general meeting place for characters, Tsujimoto states that they have yet to determine the exact number of players able to "fit in one town at a time."

As of yet, Monster Hunter 3 is still a Japanese exclusive and it is unknown whether or not there will be an overseas release. Tsujimoto states that if the demand is high and there are enough cries of "we want it, we want it," then perhaps an overseas version will be released.