Deer Hunter (1997 video game)

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Deer Hunter
Deer Hunter 1997 video game cover.jpg
Developer(s) Sunstorm Interactive
Publisher(s) WizardWorks
Series Deer Hunter
Platform(s) Windows
Macintosh
Game Boy Color [1]
ReleaseOctober 1997 [2]

Deer Hunter, also known as Deer Hunter: Interactive Hunting Experience, is a 1997 video game developed by Sunstorm Interactive and published by WizardWorks.

Contents

Gameplay

In Deer Hunter, players take on the role of a camo-clad hunter navigating four distinct environments—from dense woodlands to a forest and even a target range—in pursuit of elusive deer. This game emphasizes realism and patience. Players must track deer using environmental clues like droppings and bedding, then strategically lure them using tools such as deer calls, rattles, and attractant scents. Once a deer is spotted, players choose from a selection of weapons—shotgun, rifle, or bow—and aim carefully. Binoculars and an overhead map help with scouting and positioning. The game's design encourages thoughtful tracking and precision. [1]

Development

The impetus for the game was a Wal-Mart executive commenting to a WizardWorks sales representative that if he had a game about deer hunting, he could sell thousands of copies. [3]

The game was developed by a five-member team in three months with a budget of $125,000. [4] The game had two add-packs, Deer Hunter Extended Season and Deer Hunter Companion. [5]

Reception

Computer Games Magazine gave the game a score of 2 out of 5 stating "Deer Hunter takes some good first steps, but it has a long way to go to make a good computer game." [9]

The game sold 500,000 copies by March 1998 [2] and over 1 million by October 1998. [4] In early 1998 it appeared in the top 10 of PC Data 's best-seller list. [11] [12] Sunstorm Interactive president Anthony Campiti remarked, "Obviously we're happy about the sales. We struck on a market that was untapped, the box looked good, and it was a good product." [3]

References

  1. 1 2 Harris, Craig (September 2, 1999). "Deer Hunter". IGN . Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Dunkin, Alan (March 9, 1998). "Deer Hunter Number One?". GameSpot . Archived from the original on October 12, 2000. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "WizardWorks Proves Success Can Be Cheap". Next Generation . No. 41. Imagine Media. May 1998. p. 26.
  4. 1 2 Takahashi, Dean (October 1, 1998). "Deer Hunter' Success Surprises The Snobby Gaming Community". The Wall Street Journal . Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ Ocampo, Jason (May 7, 1998). "Strategy guide/add-on pack for popular hunting game". Computer Games Magazine . Archived from the original on July 5, 2003. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  6. ↑ Houghton, Curtis. "Deer Hunter Extended Season". gamezilla.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2002. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  7. ↑ Vallina, Joe (July 1998). "Big Lame Hunter". Computer Gaming World . p. 166. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  8. ↑ Ryan Mac Donald (March 9, 1998). "Deer Hunter". GameSpot . Archived from the original on October 16, 2000. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Udell, Scott. "Deer Hunter". Computer Games Magazine . Archived from the original on July 10, 2003. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  10. ↑ Stauffer, Todd (1999). "Deer Hunter". Inside Mac Games . Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Down-Home Fun". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 105. Ziff Davis. April 1998. p. 112.
  12. ↑ Ocampo, Jason (August 17, 1998). "Sales rankings for the first six months of 1998". Computer Games Magazine . Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
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