theHunter Classic

The shutdown of game services on November 11 marked a significant change for theHunter Classic during this window, alongside the removal of the game from the Steam Store on August 19. Players faced the inability to create new accounts and were reminded to download any gallery images before the service shutdown.

• Shutdown of Game Services: All accounts and game information will be deleted on November 11, 2026.
• Removal from Steam: theHunter: Classic was removed from the Steam Store on August 19, 2026.
• Inability to Create New Accounts: Effective July 9, players can no longer create new game or Forum accounts.
• In-game Currency Purchase Disabled: The ability to purchase new in-game currency was disabled starting July 9.
• Halloween Sale and Wolfsbane Weapons: A Halloween sale offered a 95% discount on most store items, with Wolfsbane weapons available for free on July 9.
• Access for Existing Players: Players who own the game will still be able to access and play until November 11, 2026.

The introduction of the Classic Halloween mission on October 30, 2025, marked a significant content drop, allowing players to confront werewolves and gather evidence. This update was accompanied by three competitions offering Spook$ rewards for participation, regardless of placement. Additionally, the February 4, 2026 update added new creepy critters, including pale Wendigos and vicious bunnies, expanding the wildlife in the Whiterime Ridge area.

• New Missions: Several new missions were launched, including the Heart to Heart mission on February 13, 2026, where players could earn rewards through heart shots, and the Spring is Coming mission on February 4, 2026, focused on hunting winter animals.

  • Mission Pack Structure Change: On July 23, 2025, the structure of mission packs was revamped, requiring players to complete easier packs before accessing harder ones.
  • New Rewards for Mission Packs: New rewards such as gm$, em$, trophies, and special items were introduced for completing mission packs.

• Seasonal Events: The year featured several notable seasonal events, including the Valentine's Day Mini-Event on February 13, 2026, and the Summer Fiesta 2025 event starting July 23, which included three mission packs and competitions.

  • Halloween 2025 Event: From October 30 to November 5, players participated in the Halloween event featuring werewolves and other creepy critters.

• Gameplay Changes: The Mega Saver Competition format was altered on July 23, 2025, allowing participants to hunt all required animals from the start. Additionally, the Moose skull was re-enabled for taxing in April 2026 after previous issues were resolved.

• Balance Adjustments: On February 5, 2026, illegal camo tech was removed from Polar Bears, ensuring fairer gameplay.

The Whiterime Ridge Seasonal Event launched on February 20, 2025, introducing a host of new missions and competitions, while the Easter 2025 Community Campaign followed in April. Players could complete the new mission "Spooky" to earn rewards during this window, alongside new skins and items, such as the Piebald Water Buffalo Skin and Piebald Bison Skin.

• New Missions: The missions "Spooky" and "Easter: Broilers and Bunnies" were added, providing unique challenges and rewards.
  • "Spooky" was part of the Whiterime event from February 20 to February 26, 2025.
  • "Easter: Broilers and Bunnies" occurred during the Easter event from April 16 to April 22, 2025.
• New Content: Several new skins and items were introduced.
  • Piebald Water Buffalo Skin and Piebald Bison Skin launched on April 7, 2025.
  • New skins for various weapons, including the .308 Bolt Action Rifle and Muzzleloading Pistol, were added.
• Gameplay Enhancements: The Frost$ Rewards System allowed players to earn Frost$ through competitions, and Snow Geese behavior was adjusted to improve hunting dynamics.
• Seasonal Events: The Whiterime Ridge and Easter events featured community campaigns and competitions, encouraging player participation and offering exclusive rewards.
• Balance Changes: Adjustments were made to improve game mechanics, such as fixing Frost$ rewards for competitions and reworking the Feral Hog Skull.

Texas Lodge launched on August 30, 2023, introducing a new lodge with extensive customization options and space for mounts. This update also included the new Late-Game Mission Pack for Advanced Firearms on February 28, 2024, along with several additional mission packs and new species that players can now mount in their lodges.

• New Content:

  • Texas Lodge: A new lodge with 163 mount spaces and numerous gun racks launched on August 30, 2023.
  • Late-Game Mission Pack: The Advanced Firearms mission pack introduced on February 28, 2024, added new late-game challenges.
  • Smoke Pole Missions: New missions focusing on muzzleloader gameplay were added on November 15, 2023.
  • Ibex, Bighorn, and Dall Sheep: These species became mountable on September 27, 2023.
  • New Axis Deer: Added to the Bushrangers Run area on August 3, 2023.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • Gameplay Challenges: Introduced on May 15, 2024, offering new achievements for players.
  • Community Events: Various missions and competitions were launched during events, including the Happy Holidays 2023 and Halloween 2023 events.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Happy Holidays 2023: A major event from December 6 to December 20, 2023, featuring campaigns and competitions.
  • Halloween 2023: Launched on October 25, 2023, this event included unique missions involving werewolves.

• Balance Changes:

  • Competitions with Tiers: Introduced on May 22, 2024, allowing players to compete across seven tiers based on their Hunter Score.

• Quality of Life Improvements:

  • Direct Message Blocking: A new feature added on January 31, 2024, allowed players to control who can send them messages.

The Grouse Mission Pack launched on March 1, 2023, introducing new challenges for players. This update also marked the addition of the Wood Grouse, a new bird species, as well as the Fool Turkey, expanding the hunting experience significantly. Alongside these new creatures, a range of new equipment and features became available to enhance gameplay.

• New Species: The Wood Grouse (Capercaillie) and Fool Turkey were added to the game, along with Albino and Pale variants of the Wood Grouse.
  • New equipment for hunting Wood Grouse included decoys, callers, and locators.
• New Scopes: Three engraved rifle scopes were introduced, including the 3-9x40mm Anschütz and 12x50mm scopes.
• Gameplay Changes: A new system allowed players to start a new day and remove a competition attempt, affecting animal population regeneration.
  • Community campaigns for harvesting Wood Grouse and Feral Hogs provided additional rewards for participation.
• Seasonal Events: The Holidays 2022 Event and Halloween 2022 Event featured missions, competitions, and community prizes, adding seasonal flair to the gameplay.
  • The Easter 2023 Community Campaign encouraged players to harvest Fool Turkeys for rewards.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Enhanced dog pathfinding and quieter commands in multiplayer improved the hunting experience.

Fallow Deer were introduced on the Hirschfelden map in March 2022, marking a significant addition to the game. Alongside this, a new Fallow Deer Mission Pack was released, offering players fresh content and challenges to explore. The year also saw notable updates to gameplay mechanics and several seasonal events.

• New Species: Fallow Deer became available for hunting on the Hirschfelden map on March 4 and March 10, 2022, enhancing the hunting experience.
  • Fallow Deer Mission Pack: Released on March 23, 2022, this pack introduced specific missions centered around the new species.
• Gameplay Updates:
  • A new scoring system was implemented on June 1, 2022, adjusting how points are awarded in the Community League.
  • Changes to animal spawn rules were made, ensuring that animals spawning for missions no longer counted as scorers.
• Seasonal Events:
  • The Lunar New Year Celebration and Holiday Event featured competitions and missions, with the Holiday event running from December 8 to December 22, 2021.
  • The Halloween Event on October 27, 2021, included special missions featuring Werewolves.
• Balance Changes:
  • The Fallow Deer hitboxes were adjusted on March 11, 2022, to improve accuracy in hunting.
  • The scoring system for animals was updated to reduce leaderboard ties, enhancing competitive play.
• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • A new mission UI was introduced, allowing players to access missions directly in-game without switching to the launcher or website.

The introduction of the Puma to Timbergold Trails on January 20, 2021, marked a significant content expansion for theHunter Classic. This update added a new species along with specialized hunting items, enhancing gameplay for returning players. Additionally, the game introduced a free Extra Equipment DLC in November 2020, offering players new tools for their hunting adventures.

• New Species: The Puma was introduced to Timbergold Trails, providing a fresh hunting experience.

  • New Items: Puma Scent Spray and Puma Electronic Caller Add-on became available for purchase.

• Daily Missions: Launched on December 3, 2020, this new mission system allowed players to complete daily tasks for rewards, adding a layer of engagement to the gameplay.

• Unique Mission Packs: Several mission packs were released, including:

  • Snow Goose Mission Pack on June 3, 2020.
  • Puma Missions Pack on March 10, 2021, focused on hunting the new species.
  • Timbergold Travel Missions Pack on March 30, 2021, introducing a new character and layout exploration missions.

• Seasonal Events: Notable events included:

  • Halloween 2020 Event introduced Werewolves in Timbergold Trails, allowing players to engage in themed missions.
  • Happy Holidays 2020 Event provided holiday-themed missions and competitions for rewards.

• Balance Changes:

  • The power of .308 rifles was increased, enhancing their effectiveness in gameplay.
  • Daily Missions rewards structure was adjusted to increase by 10% with each completed cycle.

The introduction of three new 'Real Vegetation' waterfowl blinds on February 12, 2020, marked a significant content drop for theHunter Classic, enhancing camouflage options for hunters. Additionally, the turkey models received a complete redesign, featuring five distinct color variations, and new trophy poses for the Snow Goose were added.

• New Content:

  • Redesigned Turkey with New Color Variations: The turkey now boasts a more realistic look with five color variations: Common, Melanistic, Grey, Leucistic, and Albino.
  • 12 GA Blaser F3 Game O-U Shotgun – Forest Camo: A new camo skin for the popular shotgun was released to enhance immersion.
  • Increased spawning areas for Snow Goose: More spawning locations were introduced to prevent overcrowding in specific areas.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • Antlers Improvements for Rusa and Sambar Deer: The antlers for these deer species were reworked for improved realism.
  • Competitions: New in-game competitions, such as the Deer April - The Whitetail Episode Competition, were organized with em$ prizes.

• Seasonal Events:

  • April Fools 2020 Weekend Extended: The April Fools event was extended throughout the weekend, providing players with additional fun in Whitehart Island and Settler Creeks.

• Balance Changes:

  • Renamed and adjusted rarity of blue-morph Snow Goose: The blue-morph's rarity was corrected, and it was renamed 'Blue Common' to reflect its proper probability.

• Quality of Life Improvements:

  • Ability to Rotate Blinds: Players gained the ability to rotate their blinds, enhancing their hunting strategy.

The introduction of the Magpie Goose Missions on February 6, 2019, marked a significant content drop for theHunter Classic, bringing new challenges for players. Additionally, the release of the Park Ranger vehicle on November 28, 2018, added a new dimension to gameplay.

• New Missions: A new mission pack featuring Magpie Goose missions launched, providing fresh challenges for players.
• New Vehicle: The Park Ranger vehicle became available, allowing players to traverse the landscape in three color variations.
• New Species: The Eurasian Lynx was introduced, enhancing the hunting experience with a new, elusive target.
• New Weapons: Several new firearms were added, including the .30R Engraved Break Action Rifle and the Compound Bow - ‘Red Dragon’, enriching the arsenal available to players.
• Gameplay Changes: Players could now earn gm$ from harvesting animals, creating a more rewarding experience for successful hunts.
• Balance Changes: The removal of memberships allowed all maps and animals to become accessible for free, significantly altering the game's business model and making it more inclusive for all players.

Piccabeen Bay Reserve launched on December 14, 2017, adding a vibrant new area with unique flora and fauna. This update introduced several new species, including Bobcats and Feral Hogs, expanding the hunting experience. Additionally, the Extended Render Range feature improved visibility for players, enhancing strategies during hunts.

• New Reserve: Piccabeen Bay introduced a tropical forest environment, featuring diverse wildlife such as Water Buffalo, Banteng, and Rusa and Sambar Deer.
  • New Species: Bobcats were added as a huntable species, and Feral Hogs joined the roster, bringing new hunting dynamics.
• Gameplay Enhancements: The Extended Render Range feature allowed players to spot animals from up to 320 meters away, significantly altering hunting tactics.
• Multiplayer Features: Players gained the ability to deploy treestands and blinds in multiplayer games, with items returning to their inventory upon disconnection.
• New Equipment: The launch included various new weapons and scopes, such as the 9.3x74R O/U Break Action Rifle and the 5.5-22x56mm Rifle Scope, catering to long-distance shooting.
• Seasonal Events: The Easter Event 2018 launched on March 28, featuring competitions and themed missions, while the Womanly Woman Event celebrated International Women's Day with special sales and challenges.

The introduction of the Trophy Lodge on May 19, 2017 marked a significant update for theHunter Classic, allowing players to showcase their harvested trophies in a dedicated space. Additionally, the game added Grey Wolves on December 7, 2016, featuring complex AI and animations that enhanced the hunting experience.

• New Feature: Trophy Lodge launched, enabling players to display trophies from their hunts.
  • Players can arrange trophies of various species in designated slots.
• New Species: Grey Wolves were introduced, bringing a new dynamic with their pack behavior and hunting methods.
• New Reserve: Timbergold Trails was launched on October 19, 2016, featuring new wildlife like Mule Deer, Grizzly Bears, and Rocky Mountain Elks, enhancing the variety of environments and hunting experiences.
• Gameplay Overhaul: The Baiting System received a significant overhaul on March 30, 2017, introducing simplified mechanics and a new status system for feeders to improve gameplay consistency.
• Seasonal Events: The Sneakathon 2017 event began on May 12, 2017, featuring missions focused on skittish species and special camouflage sales.
• Achievements Update: The Hunter Score 2.0 System was updated on March 9, 2017, introducing ranks, achievements, and badges to enhance player progression and engagement.

The introduction of the Whiterime Ridge Hunting Reserve on October 7, 2015, marked a significant expansion for theHunter Classic, featuring five new species and an immersive cold-weather hunting experience. Additionally, the beta launch of theHunter: Legends on December 10, 2015, offered players a new, casual gameplay alternative. The addition of scent hounds on May 31, 2016, further enriched gameplay by introducing a new way to track wounded animals.

• New Content:

  • Whiterime Ridge Hunting Reserve: Released on October 7, 2015, featuring five new species including Arctic Fox and Bison.
  • Scent Hounds: Introduced on May 31, 2016, allowing players to track wounded animals more effectively.
  • Polar Bear: Added as a huntable species on March 2, 2016, with unique hunting mechanics.
  • New Species for Guests: On January 28, 2016, five species including Whitetail Deer and Pheasants became accessible to guest players.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • Server-Based Populations: Implemented on March 1, 2016, for a more dynamic hunting experience.
  • Guest Competitions: Launched on March 10, 2016, introducing new trophies and divisions for guest players.

• Seasonal Events:

  • Classic Showdown Event: Launched on May 20, 2016, dividing the community into teams to compete for the best classic rifle.
  • Double XP Weekend: Announced for April 14, 2016, rewarding players with double points for tracking and weapon skills.

• Balance Changes:

  • 12GA Shotgun Becomes Free: On January 21, 2016, the 12GA single shot shotgun was made available at no cost, with automatic ammo replenishment.

• New Weapons and Equipment:

  • Pulsar Compound Bow: Released on May 27, 2016, as part of a discounted bundle.

Val-des-Bois Reserve launched on September 25, 2014, marking a significant addition to the game with approximately 75 km² of hunting area. This update was one of several major content drops in the first year since the game's release on Steam on June 4, 2014. Other notable highlights include the introduction of dogs as companions, enhancing gameplay with retrieval mechanics, and the addition of new animal species like the Red Kangaroo and Alpine Ibex.

• New Reserves:

  • Val-des-Bois became the 8th Evergreen Hunting Reserve, offering diverse hunting experiences.
  • Bushrangers Run, a new Australian reserve, was introduced alongside the Red Kangaroo.

• New Companions:

  • Dogs were added as companions, starting with a Labrador Retriever, featuring XP and stamina systems for enhanced bird retrieval.

• Gameplay Enhancements:

  • The climbing mechanics in Val-des-Bois required special gear to access steep areas.
  • New hunting gameplay was introduced for reindeer, focusing on their unique movement patterns.

• Seasonal Events:

  • A series of events, including the Football Jamboree and a Thanksgiving Holiday Event, engaged players with themed challenges and rewards.

• Balance Changes:

  • Adjustments were made to various weapons, including increased spook radius for the .22 Plinkington rifle, improving realism and gameplay balance.

• Community Engagement:

  • The game expanded its community features with competitions, surveys, and events to enhance player involvement and feedback.