Deer Hunter (series)
A deer hunting simulation series spanning multiple platforms.
The *Deer Hunter* franchise consists of video games that simulate deer hunting. Initially released for Windows by WizardWorks, the series later appeared on MacOS, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, and mobile phones. The first game found early success in the casual gaming market.
Gameplay typically places the player in a thick forest or meadow, with seasons changing throughout the year. Players may encounter animals and objects besides deer, such as Bigfoot or UFOs in certain titles, though these are purely decorative. Shooting some non-deer animals is possible, but the player receives no trophy and faces penalties if the animal is a protected species. Later installments allow players to manage a deer herd, where growth and genetics determine the traits of offspring.
The main series includes: *Deer Hunter* (1997), *Deer Hunter II* (1998), *Deer Hunter 3* (1999), *Deer Hunter 4* (2000), *Deer Hunter 5* (2001), *Deer Hunter 2003* (2002), *Deer Hunter 2004* (2003), *Deer Hunter 2005* (2004), and *Deer Hunter Tournament* (2008). After *Tournament*, all subsequent games have been mobile versions, with no full-fledged release since. Some of these mobile titles have been ported to Steam, where they received poor reviews.
In 2003, Southlogic Studios was hired by WizardWorks to develop *Trophy Hunter 2003*. Its success led Southlogic to take over the *Deer Hunter* franchise, producing *Deer Hunter 2004* and *Deer Hunter 2005*, distributed by Atari. Glu Mobile acquired the entire franchise in April 2012.
The original 1997 game sold nearly 64,700 units. In the United States, *Deer Hunter 4* sold 250,000 copies and earned $4.5 million by August 2006, following its November 2001 release. It ranked as the country’s 81st best-selling computer game between January 2000 and August 2006. Combined sales of all *Deer Hunter* games released from January 2000 to August 2006 reached 1.4 million in the United States by that date.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Deer Hunter
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows, Macintosh, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Color, Mobile phone, BlackBerry, iOS, Android
- Developer
- Southlogic Studios, Glu Mobile, Sunstorm Interactive, Coresoft, Sorrent (now Glu Mobile), Morning Star Multimedia, Sylum Entertainment
- First Release Version
- Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience
- First Release Date
- November 13, 1997
- Latest Release Version
- Deer Hunter Classic
- Latest Release Date
- November 22, 2013
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Deer Hunter series began with the original game released in November 1997, published by WizardWorks for Windows. It was an early success in the casual game market. In 2003, Southlogic Studios was commissioned by WizardWorks to develop Trophy Hunter 2003; because of Trophy Hunter's success, they took over development of the Deer Hunter franchise, producing Deer Hunter 2004 and Deer Hunter 2005, distributed by Atari. Glu Mobile acquired the entire franchise in April 2012.
Gameplay typically takes place in a thick forest or meadow during different seasons. Animals and objects other than deer can be seen, 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 is 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 main line games include: 1997's Deer Hunter, 1998's Deer Hunter II, 1999's Deer Hunter 3, 2000'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 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.
Reader's Guide
The Deer Hunter series is notable as an early success in the casual game market, with the original 1997 release selling nearly 64,700 units. 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 reached 1.4 million in the United States by the latter date. The franchise's development shifted from Sunstorm Interactive to Southlogic Studios after the success of Trophy Hunter 2003, and later to mobile-focused releases under Glu Mobile after its acquisition in April 2012. The series' legacy includes its influence on hunting simulation games and its transition from PC to mobile platforms, though post-2008 full-fledged games have not been produced, and mobile ports on Steam received poor reviews.
Did You Know?
- The original Deer Hunter game was released in November 1997.
- Glu Mobile acquired the entire Deer Hunter franchise in April 2012.
- Some incarnations of Deer Hunter include Bigfoot and UFOs as scenery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deer Hunter series?
The Deer Hunter series is a line of video games that simulate the experience of hunting deer in natural environments. It launched in November 1997 as a Windows title published by WizardWorks and quickly became a hit in the casual gaming space.
What platforms has Deer Hunter been released on?
The franchise started on Windows and later expanded to MacOS, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, and mobile phones. This multi-platform approach helped keep the series accessible to a wide range of players over the years.
Who developed and distributed Deer Hunter in its later years?
Southlogic Studios took over development duties after 2003, while Atari handled distribution for the 2004 and 2005 releases. The franchise was eventually acquired by Glu Mobile in April 2012.
What makes the gameplay in Deer Hunter different from other hunting games?
Players navigate through forests and meadows while seasons shift throughout the year, creating varied environments. Some titles include decorative encounters with creatures like Bigfoot or UFOs, and while you can shoot non-deer animals, you won't earn a trophy for doing so.
How well did the original Deer Hunter game sell?
The first entry in the series sold nearly 64,700 units, which represented solid early success for the casual gaming market at the time. This initial performance helped establish the franchise and paved the way for its expansion across other platforms.
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