Report updated Apr 6, 2026

What Is Deer Hunter 2018?

Deer Hunter 2018 is a high-fidelity hunting simulator by Glu Games (EA) that offers a global hunting experience with deep weapon customization and unique modes like spear fishing. While it holds a strong legacy position with a 4.68-star rating, the app is currently suffering from a lack of updates since 2021, leading to technical instability and broken live events. It remains a top choice for players seeking realistic ballistics and diverse hunting environments, though its market share is being threatened by more modern live-service competitors.

What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.

Mixed
Nostalgic Gameplay
Technical Stability and Connectivity... Show more

What does it look like?

What are the key features?

Global Hunting SimulatorStandard

Realistic hunting experience across diverse international locations from Alaska to Zimbabwe

Weapon CustomizationDifferentiator

Deep arsenal management allowing players to upgrade scopes, magazines, barrels, and stocks

Diverse Game ModesDifferentiator

Includes historical hunts, underwater spear fishing, and competitive target shooting events

Seasonal EventsStandard

Time-limited hunting challenges and events to maintain player engagement

Predator MechanicsDifferentiator

Dynamic gameplay where players must track animals while avoiding being hunted by predators

What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.

Mixed

Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate nostalgic gameplay and game variety, but report technical stability and connectivity and missing live events/content.

What Users Love

Nostalgic Gameplay

I played this fervently as a teenager. It’s now been 8 years and I’d really like to play it again

Game Variety

You’re not only can hunt, but you could fish, you can spear fish and you can do legendary like old school hunts

Pain Points

Technical Stability and Connectivity

Game is broke, every time I try to play, it says it needs an update

It’s telling me session timed out and it will not let me play

Missing Live Events/Content

They don’t plan to have any more events, you cannot make any progress

High confidence · 81.6K reviews available

What are the pros and cons?

Pros

  • Strong brand recognition and nostalgic user base
  • Deep weapon customization and upgrade mechanics
  • Unique gameplay variety including spear fishing and predator modes

Cons

  • Lack of product updates since early 2021
  • Critical technical bugs (update loops, connectivity)
  • Aggressive monetization and broken live-service events

What is the market outlook?

Growth Opportunities

  • Technical modernization to reclaim lapsed users
  • Automated live-ops to restore progression paths
  • Expansion of niche modes like spear fishing into standalone features

Market Threats

  • Direct competition from modern live-service titles like Hunting Clash
  • Platform removal risk due to lack of maintenance
  • User churn to idle-RPG hunting hybrids

Who competes with Deer Hunter 2018?

The Nemesis

Hunting Clash: Sniper Game

Hunting Clash: Sniper Game

Ten Square Games S.A.

The most direct rival, mirroring the global locations, gear upgrades, and competitive trophy hunting events.

+

The most direct rival, mirroring the global locations, gear upgrades, and competitive trophy hunting events.

Contenders

Big Hunter

Big Hunter

4.6 (5K)

Kakarod Interactive

A highly popular stylized hunting game that captures the 'trophy hunt' loop in a more arcade-friendly format.

+

A highly popular stylized hunting game that captures the 'trophy hunt' loop in a more arcade-friendly format.

Hunting Simulator 4x4

Hunting Simulator 4x4

3.9 (3K)

OppanaGames FZC LLC

Combines vehicle driving with hunting simulation, offering an alternative take on the global hunting trek.

+

Combines vehicle driving with hunting simulation, offering an alternative take on the global hunting trek.

Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter

Carnivores: Dinosaur Hunter

4.2 (3K)

Tatem Games Ltd

Appeals to the same simulation audience by applying realistic hunting mechanics to prehistoric 'exotic' prey.

+

Appeals to the same simulation audience by applying realistic hunting mechanics to prehistoric 'exotic' prey.

Peers

+

A high-fidelity shooting simulator that attracts users looking for professional-grade weapon mechanics.

+

Diverse Mission Types

Monster Hunter Now

Monster Hunter Now

Niantic, Inc.

While fantasy-based, it captures the 'track and hunt' player motivation with high engagement.

+

While fantasy-based, it captures the 'track and hunt' player motivation with high engagement.

New Kids on the Block

Hunter Raid: Idle RPG Games

Hunter Raid: Idle RPG Games

4.6 (561)

Gameberry Studio Inc

A fast-growing title that blends hunting themes with modern idle-RPG mechanics to steal younger users.

+

A fast-growing title that blends hunting themes with modern idle-RPG mechanics to steal younger users.

Wild Hunter 3D: Shooting Games

Wild Hunter 3D: Shooting Games

4.0 (11)

MINOR BUGS

A rising entry-level hunting simulator gaining traction in the budget-friendly segment of the market.

+

A rising entry-level hunting simulator gaining traction in the budget-friendly segment of the market.

What are the key takeaways?

Deer Hunter 2018 is a divisive games app that is available. With a 4.7/5 rating from 81.6K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate nostalgic gameplay, though technical stability and connectivity remains a common concern.

Best for: Mobile gamers interested in simulation-style hunting games who enjoy progression-based gameplay and competitive events.

How much does it cost?

Model: subscription

Tiers:
Free-to-play with in-app purchasesSilver Subscription: $0.99/week or $1.99/monthGold Subscription: $1.99/week, $4.99/month, $12.99/3 months, or $19.99/6 months

Monetization relies on a tiered subscription model that provides significant gameplay advantages, such as increased energy, faster upgrade speeds, and exclusive crate access, effectively gating progression speed.

iOS Version

5.2.42

Release Date

Sep 15, 2015

iOS Price

Free

Developer

Glu Games LLC

Independent intel to help builders create better apps.

No publisher influence. No third-party bias. Built with objectivity in mind to serve the builder community. Reports are continuously improved and refined. For informational purposes only.

Hope this helps & keep building! · Found an error?

Cite this report

Marlvel.ai. “Deer Hunter 2018 Intelligence Report.” Updated Apr 6, 2026. https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/deer-hunter-2018

Agent Markdown (.md)·

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