Deer Hunter (series)
Deer Hunter is a series of hunting simulation video games. Originally available for Windows platform published by WizardWorks, it was also published on Mac, and later on Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, and mobile phones. The first game in the series was developed for only US$125,000, yet sold over a million copies and topped the PC game charts.[1] It was an early success in the casual game market.[2]
Deer Hunter | |
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Developer(s) | Southlogic Studios, Glu Mobile, Sunstorm Interactive, Coresoft, Sorrent (now Glu Mobile), Morning Star Multimedia, Sylum Entertainment |
Publisher(s) |
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Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color, Mobile phone, BlackBerry, iOS, Android |
First release | Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience November 13, 1997 |
Latest release | "Deer Hunter 2018" 2017 |
The original game was released in November 1997. In 2003 Southlogic Studios was commissioned by WizardWorks to develop Trophy Hunter 2003 and because of Trophy Hunter's success, they took over the development of the Deer Hunter franchise, with Deer Hunter 2004 and Deer Hunter 2005, distributed by Atari. Glu Mobile acquired the entire franchise in April 2012.[3] The original Deer Hunter and its sequel Deer Hunter II have also been released for Macintosh computers.
Gameplay usually takes place in a thick forest or meadow during different seasons of the year. Animals and objects other than deer can be seen while playing, including Bigfoot and UFOs in some incarnations, but these serve no purpose other than scenery. Some animals may be shot and killed, but the player receives no trophy and will be penalized if the animal was a protected species. In the latest versions, players can also manage a deer herd with deer growth and genetics deciding the traits of offspring.
The franchise's main line games are 1997's Deer Hunter, 1998's Deer Hunter II, 1999's Deer Hunter 3, 2001's Deer Hunter 4, 2001's Deer Hunter 5, 2002's Deer Hunter 2003, 2003's Deer Hunter 2004, 2004's Deer Hunter 2005, and 2008's Deer Hunter Tournament. After the release of Deer Hunter Tournament, every game bearing the franchise's name has been a mobile version, and there has not been a full-fledged game since; however, some of these versions have seen ports on Steam, to poor reviews.
Games
Title | Details |
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Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience Original release date(s):[4]
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Release years by system: 1997—Windows[5] 1998—Macintosh[6] 1999—Game Boy Color[7] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter Companion Original release date(s):[10]
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Release years by system: 1998—Windows[10] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter II: The Hunt Continues Original release date(s):[11]
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Release years by system: 1998—Macintosh, Windows[11][12] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter's Extended Season Original release date(s):[13]
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Release years by system: 1998—Windows[13] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter II: Extended Season Original release date(s):[14]
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Release years by system: 1998—Windows[14] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 3: The Legend Continues Original release date(s):[15]
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Release years by system: 1999—Windows[15] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 3 Gold Original release date(s):[16]
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Release years by system: 2000—Windows[16] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 4: World-Class Record Bucks Original release date(s):[18]
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Release years by system: 2001—Windows[18] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 5: Tracking Trophies Original release date(s):[19]
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Release years by system: 2001—Windows[19] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 2003: Legendary Hunting Original release date(s):[22]
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Release years by system: 2002—Windows[22] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 2004 Original release date(s):[24]
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Release years by system: 2003—Windows[24] |
Notes: | |
Deer Hunter Original release date(s):[25]
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Release years by system: 2003—PlayStation 2[25] |
Notes: | |
Deer Hunter 2005 Original release date(s):[26]
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Release years by system: 2004—Windows[26] |
Notes: | |
Deer Hunter Original release date(s):[28]
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Release years by system: 2004—Mobile phone[28] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 2 Original release date(s):[29]
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Release years by system: 2006—BlackBerry, Mobile phone[29][30] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter Tournament Original release date(s):[31]
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Release years by system: 2008—Windows[31] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 3 Original release date(s):[33]
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Release years by system: 2009—BlackBerry[33] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter 3D Original release date(s):[34]
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Release years by system: 2009—iOS[34] 2010—Palm WebOS 2011—Android, Windows Phone[35][36] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter: African Safari Original release date(s):[37]
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Release years by system: 2010—iOS, BlackBerry[37][38] 2011—Android[38] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter: First Shot Original release date(s):[39]
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Release years by system: 2010—iOS[39] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter: Bow Master Original release date(s):[40]
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Release years by system: 2010—iOS[40] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter Challenge Original release date(s):[41]
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Release years by system: 2010—iOS[41] 2011—Android[41] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter Original release date(s):[42]
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Release years by system: 2011—iOS[42] |
Notes: | |
Deer Hunter Reloaded Original release date(s):[44]
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Release years by system: 2012—iOS[44] 2013—Android[44] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter Online Original release date(s):[45] November 2012 |
Release years by system: 2012—Web browser[46] |
Notes: | |
Deer Hunter 2014 Original release date(s):[47] November 22, 2013 |
Release years by system: 2013—Android[48] & iOS. |
Notes:
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Compilations
Title | Details |
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Deer Hunter: Monster Buck 4-Pack Original release date(s):[49]
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Release years by system: 1999—Windows[49] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter II: Monster Buck 3-Pack Original release date(s):[50]
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Release years by system: 2000—Windows[50] |
Notes:
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Deer Hunter: Trophy Collection Original release date(s):[51]
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Release years by system: 2003—Windows[51] |
Notes: |
Cancelled games
Title | Details |
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Deer Hunter 64 Original release date(s):[52] |
Release years by system: Nintendo 64[52] |
Notes:
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Reception
In the United States, Deer Hunter 4 sold 250,000 copies and earned $4.5 million by August 2006, after its release in November 2001. It was the country's 81st best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006. Combined sales of all Deer Hunter games released between January 2000 and August 2006 had reached 1.4 million in the United States by the latter date.[53]
See also
- Cabela's Big Game Hunter, a 1998 hunting video game by HeadGames Publishing
- Carnivores, a dinosaur hunting series also by WizardWorks and Action Forms
- Deer Avenger, a parodic series of hunting games by Simon & Schuster Interactive
References
- Takahashi, Dean (1998-10-01). "'Deer Hunter' Success Surprises The Snobby Gaming Community". The Wall Street Journal.
- Grover, Mary Beth (1999-12-27). "Rules of the Game". Forbes.
- "Glu Mobile Acquires Deer Hunter® Brand". BusinessWire. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- "Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience - Summary for Windows edition". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience - Summary for Macintosh edition". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience for Game Boy Color - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- MacDonald, Ryan (1998-03-10). "Deer Hunter Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter - Game.Com". IGN. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Companion". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter II - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 2 - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter's Extended Season - Game profile". IGN. 1998-12-31. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter II: Extended Season - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 3: The Legend Continues - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 3 Gold - Tech info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 3 Gold". Sylum Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 4: World-Class Record Bucks - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 5: Tracking Trophies - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 5: Tracking Trophies". Sylum Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 5: Tracking Trophies". Atari. Archived from the original on 2008-07-01. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 2003 - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 2003: Legendary Hunting - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 2004 - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- "Deer Hunter - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- "Deer Hunter 2005 - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- "Deer Hunter 2005 - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- "Deer Hunter for mobile - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- "Deer Hunter 2 - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- "Deer Hunter II". IGN. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Tournament - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
- "Deer Hunter Tournament Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter 3 Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter 3D Release Information for iPhone/iPod". GameFAQs. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- "Deer Hunter 3D". IGN. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter 3D Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter: African Safari - iPhone". IGN. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter: African Safari Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter: First Shot Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter: Bow Master Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Challenge Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Release Information". GameFAQs. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter HD Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Reloaded Tech Info". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Online". IGN. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter Online". Atari. Archived from the original on 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter 2014". Glu Mobile. Retrieved 2013-11-22.
- "Deer Hunter 2014". Glu Mobile. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
- "Deer Hunter: Monster Buck 4-Pack - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
- "Deer Hunter II: Monster Buck 3-Pack - Game profile". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter: Trophy Collection - Summary". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2008-10-30.
- "Deer Hunter 64 - Nintendo 64". IGN. Retrieved 2013-02-16.
- Edge Staff (August 25, 2006). "The Top 100 PC Games of the 21st Century". Edge. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012.
External links
- Deer Hunter 4,
- Deer Hunter 2015 , 5 , 2003, 2005 , Tournament by Atari
- Deer Hunter , 2 , 3 for mobile by Glu Mobile
- Southlogic Studios, current developer of the series
- Sunstorm Interactive, original developer of the series