Deadliest Catch: The Game

Deadliest Catch: The Game is a fishing simulation title developed by 4Fishing, with Moonlit also credited during development, and published by Ultimate Games S.A. It was first released for PC on April 14, 2020, after a period in Early Access. The game quickly caught attention thanks to its official tie-in with the popular Discovery Channel television series, bringing players into one of the harshest and most dangerous professions in the world.

The game places players in the high-risk world of Alaskan king crab fishing in the Bering Sea. Players take command of a fishing vessel and are tasked with managing shipboard equipment, baiting and deploying crab pots, retrieving hauls, and sorting legal catches from those that must be released. Beyond fishing itself, there are layers of management including hiring and directing crew, upgrading equipment, and carefully tracking quotas to stay within the law. Dynamic weather, shifting crab populations, and dangerous storms add further challenges, forcing players to balance risk against potential profit while trying to survive one of the harshest jobs on earth.

Although not a direct sequel, Deadliest Catch: The Game builds on the legacy of earlier licensed titles tied to the Discovery Channel series. One notable predecessor was Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm, released in 2008, which introduced many players to the idea of a realistic crab fishing simulator. While the two games are separate, Deadliest Catch: The Game can be considered a spiritual successor that seeks to modernize the concept, offering updated mechanics and visuals while still keeping the tense atmosphere of the television show.

Promotion for the game leaned heavily on the recognition of the Deadliest Catch brand, marketing itself as the most authentic crab fishing simulation available. Trailers emphasized the realism of its seas and the dangers of its storms, and community involvement during its Early Access phase gave players a chance to shape its development. Reception to the game has been mixed. Some players praised its atmosphere, unique premise, and faithfulness to the show’s dangerous environment, while others noted technical issues, repetitive mechanics, and a lack of polish in controls and visuals. Despite this, it has carved out a niche with fans of fishing and survival simulations who appreciate its unusual subject matter.