If 2013 belonged to the zombie survival title, then 2014 is fast becoming synonymous with the wild animal sim. First there was Goat Simulator, an internet joke that spawned a very real, and reportedly fantastic ragdoll title, and now, hot on its hooves there's a Bear Simulator too.

Announced earlier this month, the absurd, and let's face it - utterly intriguing concept quickly took to Kickstarter to turn fans' grizzly-themed dreams into reality. Now, just eight days on from its official commencement, the fundraising campaign has reached a whopping 43,000 dollars, over $10,000 more than the game's original target.

Advertized as a mini-Skyrim but with the added incentive of playing as a bear, the title's official web page is chock full of humorous digs at mainstream games, unbelieving naysayers and an apparent government conspiracy to withhold all bear-centric entertainment.

The game's developer Farjay Studios aka John, is promising to deliver authentic bear-like action, via quality first-person control and combat. The title will also include realistic and expansive locales as well as a truly "catastrophic amount of secrets." Given the unexpected success of the project, and the influx of extra cash from backers players should expect Farjay to make good on some of his more tentative stretch goals, including multiplayer and Oculus Rift support.

Of course, Bear Simulator isn't the first title to let players go paws on with a digitized beast. Back in 2003, Sony released Dog's Life, a role-playing title dedicated to man's best friend that also included many 'first-person' exploration elements. Before that came Ecco the Dolphin, a madcap franchise that shone a light on the conflict between bottle-nosed brainiacs and their evil alien overlords.

While animal characters have always been a mainstay of the video game industry, think Crash Bandicoot, Sly Raccoon, Banjo Kazooie et al, few games have ever attempted to simulate the day to day meanderings of these types of creatures. With funding  secured Bear Simulator's biggest obstacle now becomes just how to make these daily activities fun to play. Luckily Farjay Studios seems to be on the right tracks, namely by keeping its tongue firmly planted in cheek. If the finished game is half as amusing as its Kickstarter page then Bear Simulator ought to make for an amusing, oddball distraction.

Have you contributed to the Bear Simulator fundraising campaign? Are backers just getting in on the fun or does the title really show potential? What other animals deserve their own video game adventures? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to keep up with all of the latest Bear Simulator news, right here on Game Rant.

Bear Simulator currently has an estimated release date of November 2014

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Source: Bear Simulator Kickstarter