Cross-region Multiplayer?

[Karnettech]

I have a few questions about multiplayer before I can decide whether or not to buy this game:

1. I'm from Hong Kong, if I buy the HK version of MHW, does that mean I will only be able to activate this game from a HK IP address?

2. Is it true that while I will be able to join SOS requests from international players, I will not be able to join proper 'sessions' with international players, because for those I am limited to my local vincinity?

3. If I use a vpn to simulate a North American IP address, and buy a North American version of MHW, will I be able to play it both from HK, and North America, as well as access the multiplayer from both regions? (Basically, an "international" version?)

Because I do not mind if there is a bit of a pricing difference, but what I do mind, is a substandard gaming experience and quality, and discriminating limitations on the consumer. I am willing to pay a premium for good service, but I will pay nothing for its opposite.

[Dongerino]

not sure about PC, but in PS4 i ran into japanese players ALOT

but in PC most of the players that I matched with is fellow countrymen

[LordBlade]

Yes, the is no region lock on the game. I've had plenty of sessions with European and Japanese players.

[McFuzz]

1. Cross region multiplayer works, but Capcom has done something recently to solve connection issues, where it almost seems to show you local SOS quests. I have had no issues joining players from overseas that I know, though.

2. Further to 1, the matchmaking right now appears to greatly prefer local games. But as mentioned, there are absolutely no issues joining people you know the session ID of or the steam account.

Both issues I believe will be ironed out with time.

TL;DR you may find problems finding games from people overseas, unless you know them via steam/discord/etc, then it's FINE! :D

[Hunny]

sos flares are region based, that doesnt mean you will not be able to play with people from other countries, it just means that itll be easier for people from your country to see your sos flares, and for you to see theirs, it has nothing to do with your ip, and its based on your steam download region only

[Hunny]

Originally posted by Frank McFuzz:

1. Cross region multiplayer works, but Capcom has done something recently to solve connection issues, where it almost seems to show you local SOS quests.

sos flares were region locked before the patch

[Voidsent_Oni]

I believe that whichever version you get, you will be able to connect to servers nearest to your location or even beyond.

sadly at current state even after patch, connecting to multiplayer sessions have been very troublesome for PC players.

I am a MH fan, though in my honest opinion; you might want to do more research of this game before buying, as this PC release seems to have many problem including multiplayer issues. Though soloing the game is still fun. But it is all your call on the purchase, peace :D

[medavroog]

Originally posted by Karnettech:

1. I'm from Hong Kong, if I buy the HK version of MHW, does that mean I will only be able to activate this game from a HK IP address?

Yes, only from a HK or Taiwan IP address, but that is the Steam's regional lock on game activation - this limit doesn't apply to the gameplay itself.

Originally posted by Karnettech:

2. Is it true that while I will be able to join SOS requests from international players, I will not be able to join proper 'sessions' with international players, because for those I am limited to my local vincinity?

Yes and No:
- For SOS, you get international search.
- For Normal, the game does search international ... but will post those close to you first,
and shall there be a lot of sessions ... there will be many omitted due to the limit of list-size.

Originally posted by Karnettech:

3. If I use a vpn to simulate a North American IP address, and buy a North American version of MHW, will I be able to play it both from HK, and North America, as well as access the multiplayer from both regions? (Basically, an "international" version?)

You can access the multiplayer on all regions in the game already. It's Steam that limited you where and which "version" you can install ... the "version" doesn't limit your multiplayer international exchange.

Originally posted by Karnettech:

Because I do not mind if there is a bit of a pricing difference, but what I do mind, is a substandard gaming experience and quality, and discriminating limitations on the consumer. I am willing to pay a premium for good service, but I will pay nothing for its opposite.

Steam made this discrimination, but not all game companies follow this practice ... MH:W is a game doesn't follow it: Despite we are forced into "regional versions" with Steam installs, the game itself has no regional locks ...
... but the multiplayer currently still have some connection issues which the devs said still under fix.

[Azure Fang]

Originally posted by medavroog:

~snip~

This is the most accurate and informative post. Though I feel I should add one thing in reference to #3:

Do NOT VPN

While Valve primarily targets VPN use for key activation as a shutdown reason, they can shut your account down for using VPN for region-play changes per the Steam Terms of Service. Using VPN for MHW is totally unnecessary anyway. While play is already cross-region, you can legitimately change your detected region by changing your Steam download server region in Steam's client settings. This will prioritize lobbies from the selected region over your physical region.

[Karnettech]

Thanks for the help.