Sony Corp.’s PlayStation Portable videogame player, which languished in Japan after it was introduced in 2004, has turned into a strong seller here over the past year.

The reason: a videogame series called Monster Hunter that allows groups of friends to band together to kill monsters, collect material to build weapons or armor — and socialize — without letting any unknown players join in.

The article goes on to talk about the cool ways that Japanese gamers are getting together to play MH together, including meeting up at karaoke bars and through travelling Capcom-sponsored Monster Hunter festivals. Check out the complete story here.