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