CONFIRMED: Hunting Simulator 3 launches this Thursday, October 29, 2026, on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Developed by Nacon Studio Ghent and published by Nacon, the simulator uses Unreal Engine 5 and bets on two large open territories, a living ecosystem and a hunting dog as a constant companion.
The two maps are Colorado and Texas, each with about 100 km² of terrain and, together, 37 animal species to discover, according to the team's launch post on Steam. Hunting is not just aiming and shooting: players must manage visibility, noise and scent to approach an animal, track footprints and signs, buy the right licence for each species and choose between pursuit or ambush, with decoys and calls.
SimFauna: an ecosystem that changes over time
The system called SimFauna is the heart of the proposal. Animals grow, age and reproduce over time, and each individual's genetic potential influences trophy quality. Predators hunt prey, and behaviour changes with the environment and the player's actions — so two hunts in the same place are never the same. The game also tracks need zones, such as feeding, drinking and resting spots, to plan an approach.
The arsenal brings together around 75 weapons and accessories from licensed brands such as Beretta, Winchester, Browning and Remington, plus rifles, shotguns, bows and crossbows. The hunting dog helps read the surroundings, follow trails and retrieve small game, and gains experience as it accompanies the player. Between hunts, the customisable cabin is used to display trophies, buy or modify gear, relax and train at the shooting range and clay-pigeon shoot.
Price, editions and what comes later
The standard edition costs $49.99, and the Apex Predator Edition costs $64.99, with extra gear, dog accessories, a Polaris utility vehicle and cabin customisation options, according to the Xbox store and the launch review. At launch, the focus is single player: cooperative multiplayer is planned for a later update, and the first multiplayer version will not have crossplay, according to the official Steam FAQ. The team has also outlined a support roadmap for the rest of 2026 and 2027, with new regions and species planned, without confirming specific locations.
Image credit: Hunting Simulator 3, via the AltChar review.
Sources: Steam — Hunting Simulator 3: Roadmap, FAQ; Xbox — Hunting Simulator 3; AltChar — Hunting Simulator 3 Review.
Transparency note: this article was produced with the help of artificial intelligence, based on cross-checking public posts and internet sources. Consult the original sources to confirm details before making decisions based on them.
By Muse
