Soldier of Fortune (video game)

Infobox VG
title = Soldier of Fortune


developer = Raven Software
publisher = Activision
designer =
engine = Quake II (with Raven's custom SDK)
released = March 27, 2000
genre = First-person shooter
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings=BBFC: 18
ESRB: M (Mature)
OFLC MA15+
platforms = Microsoft Windows, Linux, PlayStation 2, Dreamcast
media =
requirements =
input =

:"This article concerns the first-person shooter. For the SNES and Genesis game Soldiers of Fortune, see The Chaos Engine".

"Soldier of Fortune" (also known as "SoF") is a first-person shooter game created by Raven Software and published by Activision on March 27 2000 for Microsoft Windows. It uses a modified Quake II engine. It was later released on the Sony PlayStation 2 as well as the Sega Dreamcast. Loki Software also made a port for Linux. Based on its success, Raven Software and Activision later published ' in 2002 based on the . Initially released for Windows, the sequel was later ported to the Xbox. A third game in the series, ' was released on November 14 2007.

Story

The story involves the theft of nuclear weapons, and the main enemy turns out to be an Afrikaner Neo-Nazi group based in Germany, led by Sergei Dekker. At the beginning of the game, terrorists steal four nuclear weapons from a storage facility in Russia, and proceed to sell them to various third world nations. This is a prelude to the acquisition of advanced weapons of mass destruction by this terrorist group.

John Mullins, working as a Soldier of Fortune for a US-based mercenary organization known only as "The Shop", and his partner, Aaron "Hawk" Parsons, are assigned to prevent the nukes from falling into the wrong hands, and stop the terrorists in their plans.

Graphics

"Soldier of Fortune" was built around a modified version of the "Quake II engine" at the time of its release. [cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/162/162287p1.html |title=Soldier of Fortune |work=IGN PC |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Blevins, Tal |date=2000-04-03] It was the first game to utilize the GHOUL damage model engine developed by Raven software. This introduced the ability to dismember enemies in combat, adding to the realism of the game. Upgraded versions of the GHOUL system was later used in other Raven titles such as "Soldier of Fortune II" and "".

Gameplay

A controversial video game, "Soldier of Fortune" was best known for its graphic depictions of firearms dismembering the human body. This graphic violence is the game's main stylistic attraction, much like the destructible environments of "Red Faction" or bullet-time of "Max Payne". The GHOUL engine enables depiction of extreme graphic violence, in which character models are based on body parts that can each independently sustain damage (gore zones). There are 26 zones in total. A shot to the head with a powerful gun will often make the target's head explode, leaving nothing but the bloody stump of the neck remaining; a close-range shot to the stomach with a shotgun will leave an enemy's bowels in a bloody mess, and a shot to the nether regions will cause the victim to clutch his groin in agony for a few seconds before keeling over dead. It is possible to shoot off an enemy's limbs (head, arms, legs) leaving nothing left but a bloody torso. Non-violence is also a possibility, if the player is a good shot it is possible to shoot an enemy's weapon out of their hand, causing them to cower on the floor to surrender. The game came with options to disable all gore, however.

Reception

"Soldier of Fortune" was praised as being a solid and entertaining shooter, with one of the game's greatest praises being its graphic depiction of gore and violence, which both proponents and detractors consider to be more realistic than most first-person shooter games. Critical reaction was mixed at best. It received a 7.7 out of 10 in its review by "Gamespot", and scored 7 and above in areas such as graphics and sound.

Critics point out the game's total lack of realistic combat (especially in the easier modes), lack of innovative depth to gameplay, as well the lack of tactical influencesFact|date=February 2008. "Soldier of Fortune" does lack gameplay functions such as weapon inaccuracy and recoil, which were uncommon for games at that time.

Controversy

In 2000, after receiving a complaint from a member of the public about the explicit content of the game, the British Columbia Film Classification Office investigated and decided the violence, gore and acts of torture were not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. In a controversial decision, the game was labeled an "adult motion picture" and was rated Restricted. In Germany, the game was placed on the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons index. [cite web |url=http://www.thefreeradical.ca/ministry_of_attorney_general_bc_.htm |title=B.C. Film Classification Soldier of Fortune Decision |publisher=The Free Radical |author=McCausland, Mary-Louise |date=2000-07-11] [cite news |url=http://www.thefreeradical.ca/bc_labels_brutal_video_game_as_a.htm |title=B.C. Labels 'Brutal' Video Game as Adult Film |work=The Globe and Mail |last=Lunman |first=Kim |date=2000-07-12 |page=A1] [cite web |url=http://www.thefreeradical.ca/company_to_appeal_games_x.htm |title=Company to Appeal Game's X-Rating|work=The Globe and Mail |last=Lunman |first=Kim |date=2000-08-12 |page=A3] [cite web |url=http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/articles/violence/video_restrict.cfm |title=Soldier of Gore: Excessively Violent Video Game restricted by B.C. Film Commissioner |work=The Globe and Mail |date=2000-06-12]

Legacy

Signs of "Soldier of Fortune"'s success are still evident today with still many thousands of active players. In addition, in July 2007 UK game server provider Homenetwork UK started to sell servers for the original game under its "Retro Gaming" service.Fact|date=March 2008 To this date many stores still sell "Soldier of Fortune", though it's usually found via online download stores.

In June 2007, the third entry of the "Soldier of Fortune" series was announced, "", [cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/soldier-of-fortune-3-confirmed-33824.phtml |title=Soldier Of Fortune 3 confirmed |author=Houghton, David |work=Destructoid |date=2007-06-27] and was released on 20 November 2007. [cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/ps3/soldier-of-fortune-payback/release-info |title=Release Information for Soldier of Fortune: Payback |publisher=MobyGames] The game was developed by Cauldron and published by Activision Value. Raven Software wasn't involved in its production.

References

External links

* [http://www.ravensoft.com/GamesDetail/tabid/76/XMID/16/Default.aspx Raven's Soldier of Fortune page]
*MobyGames|id=/soldier-of-fortune|name="Soldier of Fortune"