The Hunter β (development code: MA-121) was an experimental model of the Hunter B.O.W., and a deviation from the Alpha; it was developed by Umbrella Europe, unlike its predecessor.[1]
Development
The Hunter β was developed by Umbrella Europe to improve upon Birkin's Hunter α B.O.W. by improving their reaction times to increase agility. Though this should have made them deadlier to armed targets - the Hunter's primary combatant, considering their intended role in the military, their fighting prowess was found to be lacking. Further research was, therefore required before they could be given the green-light for mass-production.
A number of β models were sent into Raccoon City during the September to serve as combat tests against others in order to gain insight into exactly how successful the model was in comparison to the α.[2] During their time in Raccoon City, they used the Raccoon General Hospital as a hunting ground; a β model was witnessed by Carlos Oliveira hunting down and decapitating zombies.
Multiverse
In the S.D. Perry novelization of the third game, Resident Evil: Nemesis, the Hunter β were being transported to Raccoon City in order to obtain their final combat data before entering mass-production. Due to the viral outbreak and subsequent martial law, the truck never left Raccoon City, and eventually the Hunters escaped to several city areas.
Sources
- ↑ Tasuhisa Kawamura Interview. Project Umbrella. Retrieved on March 17, 2012.
- ↑ バイオハザード3～Last Escape～／CREATURES. Capcom. Retrieved on 2012-08-21.