| Even though personal computers have been | | | | market, it caused quite a stir among hunting |
| around for a very long time, they really | | | | enthusiasts as well as animal rights |
| became popular in the 1980's and have evolved | | | | activists. In fact, in many circles, the |
| into almost a necessity of life for many | | | | emergence of hunting video games brought |
| people. However, video games really began | | | | about much debate and controversy. |
| with the invention of the Atari video game | | | | |
| system which would eventually evolve into | | | | Those who enjoyed hunting in the "real world" |
| more in-depth and more powerful game systems. | | | | found these new games exciting and a great |
| One of the earliest hunting games developed | | | | way to get some entertainment without leaving |
| was Duck Hunt which was made for the Nintendo | | | | the comfort of their own home. They saw the |
| game system. | | | | games as a great way to be able to hunt |
| | | | animals they might never be able to do in |
| Duck Hunt required the use of a special | | | | real life such as bears and moose. |
| Nintendo Zapper light gun that plugged | | | | |
| directly into the system. Players would then | | | | After all, the average Midwestern hunter sees |
| wait for ducks to show up on the screen which | | | | plenty of deer on hunting expeditions, but |
| looked like a field. When the ducks came | | | | their chances of hunting bear or elk is |
| along, they would point and shoot. They were | | | | limited without a trip someplace. |
| accompanied by a faithful hunting dog who | | | | |
| would laugh if the duck was missed and | | | | On the other hand, animal rights activists |
| congratulate on a successful shooting. The | | | | threw a fit over these games because they |
| game also allowed players to shoot clay | | | | perceived them as just another way to harm |
| pigeons if they chose. | | | | the animal population and promote violence |
| | | | against our furry friends. Even though the |
| There was really no ending in the Duck Hunt | | | | animals were just a bunch of coding made up |
| game, however there were playing levels. | | | | by a software programmer somewhere, they |
| Depending on how good the player got, he or | | | | still felt that video games promoting hunting |
| she would advance up to 99 levels at which | | | | only added to the real hunting of animals |
| point, the game would go to level 00. At that | | | | which they perceived as wrong. |
| level, no ducks would appear, but you would | | | | |
| hear wings flapping. After three times of no | | | | At any rate, the fact remained that hunting |
| ducks appearing, the game would be "over". | | | | video games took the market by storm and soon |
| | | | became some of the most popular selling games |
| After Duck Hunt, there were many other | | | | and software around. Software developers |
| hunting video games that would begin to | | | | began to make these games much more |
| emerge on the market including Deer Hunter, | | | | challenging offering up different options for |
| Big Game Hunter, and Dangerous Hunts. Most of | | | | players that would make the games more |
| these games began for video game consoles | | | | enjoyable. |
| like Nintendo, but the computer industry | | | | |
| would soon become more and more involved as | | | | Today, there are hundreds of hunting video |
| these games began to rise in popularity. | | | | games for enthusiasts to choose from that |
| While opinions vary as to which hunting video | | | | have evolved into truly challenging games. |
| game was the first one developed for the home | | | | Some may think that a point and click game |
| computer, many think that it was called "The | | | | where you can "down" a virtual deer might be |
| Hunting Game" and was made by Oquirrh | | | | a bit boring, but those who love these games |
| Productions. The Hunting Game allowed players | | | | disagree wholeheartedly. |
| to hunt for mule, deer, elk, and white tail | | | | |
| deer from 48 separate locations. You were | | | | They provide not only entertainment, but also |
| allowed to use a rifle, a bow, or a muzzle | | | | a way to hone their hunting skills at any |
| loader to hunt your prey. You also could hunt | | | | time of the day or night. When you spend a |
| for turkey or water fowl from 18 separate | | | | certain amount of time honing your tracking |
| locations. | | | | skills on the computer, chances are pretty |
| | | | good that you'll be able to use those skills |
| When The Hunting Game first came onto the | | | | while hunting for real. |