Soldier of Fortune (video game)

This article is about the 2000 video game. For the game released as Soldiers of Fortune in the U.S., see The Chaos Engine. For other games, see Soldier of Fortune (disambiguation).
Soldier of Fortune
Developer(s)Raven Software
Loki Software (Linux)
Runecraft (DC)
Pipe Dream Interactive (PS2)
Publisher(s)Activision (Windows)
Loki Software (Linux)
Crave Entertainment (DC)
Majesco Entertainment (PS2)
Director(s)Brian Raffel
Producer(s)Marty Stratton
Designer(s)Jim Hughes
Programmer(s)Rick Johnson
Artist(s)Joe Koberstein
Scott Rice
Composer(s)Chia Chin Lee
EngineQuake II engine
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Linux, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
ReleaseWindows
Linux
July 14, 2000[4]
Dreamcast
PlayStation 2
  • NA: November 13, 2001
  • EU: July 5, 2002
Genre(s)First-person shooter
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Soldier of Fortune is a first-person shooter video game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision in 2000 for Microsoft Windows. It was later released for the PlayStation 2 (as Soldier of Fortune: Gold Edition), as well as the Dreamcast, while Loki Software also made a port for Linux. It was digitally re-released on GOG.com on October 2, 2018, along with its two successors.[6] The player takes on the role of a U.S. mercenary as he trots around the globe hoping to halt a terrorist nuclear weapons plot.

The game, which was built with the Quake II engine, is notable for its realistic depictions of violence, made possible by the GHOUL engine, including the dismemberment of human bodies. This was the game's stylistic attraction and it caused considerable controversy, especially in Canada and Germany, where it was classified as a restricted-rated film and listed on the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons, respectively. The technology creates 26 different zones on the bodies of enemies, allowing for vastly different reactions depending upon which one is targeted.

The game sold well initially and critical reception was positive. Two sequels were released: Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix (2002) and Soldier of Fortune: Payback (2007). Soldier of Fortune Online, a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter game, was published in Korea in 2010, but its servers were shut down shortly after its release.

  1. ^ Bye, John "Gestalt" (April 1, 2000). "UK Release Date list updated". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  2. ^ Ajami, Amer (March 29, 2000). "Soldier of Fortune In Stores". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 5, 2000. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Gibson, Steve (March 28, 2000). "SoF On Shelves". Shacknews. Gamerhub. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Fudge, James (July 14, 2000). "Linux Soldier of Fortune Released". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on August 21, 2003. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Crave's First Person Frag Fest Delights". Crave Entertainment. July 26, 2001. Archived from the original on December 7, 2001. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  6. ^ "Soldier of Fortune: Platinum Edition". GOG.com. CD Projekt. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.