Activision officially announces Soldier of Fortune Pay Back, confirming rumors that another installment in the Soldier of Fortune series is in the offing (story). The announcement does not confirm reports we received that the game will be a value-priced project that's not being developed by series originator Raven (story), but we'll know soon enough, as Pay Back is slated for release next month for PC, Xbox 360, and PS3. Update: EBgames (thanks Tiscali Games) lists the game's developer as Activision and its price as $39.99 which seems to answer both of those previous questions. The first screenshots are on FileFront and a gameplay trailer is available for download on 3D Downloads, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell. Here's the announcement:

Santa Monica, CA -- Oct. 9, 2007 – Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today it will release the next generation of the long-awaited Soldier of Fortune game series this November with Soldier of Fortune® Payback. The saga continues with the organization known as “The Shop,” where players take on the role of a hired mercenary blasting through brutal do-or-die battle scenes in the world’s most dangerous criminal and terrorist hotspots.

Soldier of Fortune Payback evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking to even experienced FPS players. Boasting more weapons options than any previous Soldier of Fortune installment, Soldier of Fortune Payback’s impressive arsenal includes an array of more than 30 weapons including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, projectile explosives, weapon attachments and cutting-edge tactical weapons.

Soldier of Fortune Payback will satisfy online gamers with many of their favorite online multiplayer modes including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Elimination, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag, and Demolition. Additional online options include maps tuned specifically for multiplayer action, persistent stat-tracking throughout the gamer’s online career, and many server settings for custom online play.

The - storyline reflects today’s trend of “outsourcing” wars. When a routine escort mission goes horribly wrong, freelance mercenary Thomas Mason finds himself battling an insidious enemy that knows no boundaries. Traditional armies can not handle these extremists – only underground guns for hire can fight a war this dirty and get results.

Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and the PC. The game has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and is scheduled for release in November 2007.