Update (26th August): Monster Hunter Now's high speed play has been clarified further by developer Scopely Explore.
In a statement to One More Catch, it confirms the feature indeed only works on trains and not other modes of public transport by relying on the use of map data to determine the player's location.
"In Asia, where many players commute to school or work by train, we came up with this feature to provide a more enjoyable and complete gameplay experience," read the statement.
"Technically, the game compares the player’s location data with map data to determine whether they are on a railway line. If so, when checking their speed, the game also asks them to confirm that they are not a driver. Only then are the usual gameplay restrictions relaxed.
"Because this feature involves safety, we use both technical detection and user confirmation rather than relying solely on one method."
Original story (24th August): Monster Hunter Now will soon allow players to play at high speeds - but going by the official announcement, there's a rather big caveat.
Unlikely fellow Scopely Explore game Pokémon Go, to date Monster Hunter Now turns off map features at even remotely fast speeds, such as when you are on a bus or in a car. However, an update this week - arriving almost three years after the game's launch - will see the game operate on high speed trains.
The feature is likely to appeal to those in Japan, which has the fourth highest train usage by passenger kilometres in the world (via Wikipedia) and a high number of Monster Hunter Now players (according to a Scopely Explore blog, it's the country in which Now has "taken players by storm", with 68% of lifetime in-app revenue coming from the region, according to AppMagic data shared with One More Catch).
However, with the feature still rolling out, whether it'll also work on slower forms of public transport - such as cars or buses - has yet to be determined. The official blog is awfully specific, and that's either because:
a) It is designed to work only at high speeds that only trains can reach
b) It recognises when you are on a train line (through map data), or
c) That it does in fact work on all public modes of transport (the notes do mention to "never play while driving") but Scopely Explore / Capcom understandably doesn't want to suggest that you can play and drive (something which I obviously also agree with - do be safe and sensible!)
Either way, it'll have the same 'I'm not a driver' warning as Pokémon Go when you reach a certain speed, and whether that's only by train - or if passengers not driving a car or a bus are also quietly included - the chance to battle at higher speeds is finally here.
Below is an excerpt from the official announcement, and a link to a support page here for extra reading.
Hey hunters!
This is the Monster Hunter Now development team.
We’re planning an update on August 24 that will make it easier to enjoy Monster Hunter Now while commuting, traveling, or otherwise on the move.
Enjoy Monster Hunter Now more easily while you're on the move!
Until now, gameplay has been restricted while traveling at high speeds to help keep players safe, as the game couldn’t determine whether someone was driving. With this update, if the game determines you’re traveling by train, you’ll be able to continue playing after confirming that you’re a passenger.
After the update, if the game detects that you’re traveling by train, a confirmation dialog will appear asking you to confirm that you’re not the driver. Select “I’m not the driver” to continue playing while riding the train.
Whether you’re commuting to work or school or heading out for the day, we hope you’ll enjoy playing Monster Hunter Now during your travels!
Thank you for playing Monster Hunter Now.
Update 1 (24th August, 5:49pm UK time): Added some more-specific player stats for Japan.
Update 2 (26th August, 10:18am UK time): Added a statement from Scopely Explore clarifying how it works, and removed 'seemingly' from the headline along with it.
