Hareraiser
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| Hareraiser | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Haresoft |
| Publisher(s) | Haresoft |
| Platform(s) | ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Dragon 32, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro Model B |
| Release date | 1984 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Media | Cassette |
| System requirements | 16k |
Hareraiser is a computer game, originally released in 1984 for various formats; the ZX Spectrum, Acorn Electron, BBC Micro Model B, Dragon 32, Vic 20 EX, Oric/Atmos 48, Commodore 64, and Amstrad. It was released in two parts; Prelude and Finale.
The purpose of the game was to solve a puzzle in some unspecified way, the solvers of which would be able to enter a competition to locate the prize, the bejewelled "Golden Hare". In the January 1985 issue of Sinclair User, it was reported that Haresoft had stated that an additional clue had been revealed in Harrods by TV personality Anneka Rice. The nature of the clue remains unknown, as does whether or not Ms. Rice was aware that she had revealed such a clue.
The gold hare had previously been the prize for winning Masquerade (book), by the British artist Kit Williams. It had been buried at a secret location (Ampthill Park in Bedfordshire), the object of the game being to solve the clues in the book that would lead the successful treasure-hunter to this location and the golden prize. Several sources state, erroneously, that Hareraiser is based on Masquerade - in fact, the only thing apart from the prize that the two have in common is that both feature a hare.
Haresoft was founded by the "winner" (although it is believed that he cheated, using metal detectors and information provided by a former girlfriend of Kit's) of Masquerade, Ken Thomas (a pseudonym - his real name was Dugald Thompson), and his business partner John Guard. However, the game did not sell well, and Haresoft went into liquidation. Hareraiser was never solved, and the hare was sold at auction for £31,900. It may have been sold again in the 1990s to an anonymous buyer, but whether or not this is so, its current owner and whereabouts are both unknown.
It is possible to download copies of some of the versions of Prelude and Finale, and play them using emulators. However, due to Thompson's alleged dishonesty in obtaining the hare in the first place, it should be noted that there is no guarantee that any solution exists, or that the game is anything more than a collection of meaningless text and graphics intended to part hopeful treasure-hunters from their money.
