One of the Most Controversial PC Games of 1999 Hits the Streets is the press release announcing that Kingpin: Life of Crime, Xatrix and Interplay's Quake II-engine game of surviving and thriving in crime-filled urban streets is now shipping. Thanks GA-Source. Here's a bit from the release:

Interplay Entertainment Corp. (Nasdaq: IPLY - news) announced today the hotly anticipated 3D action game of the summer ``Kingpin: Life of Crime''(TM), for Windows 95/98/NT, has shipped to retail outlets nationwide. Kingpin is a first person descent into the underground world of organized crime and episodic adventure. Given the current political climate within the video game industry, Interplay has gone to great lengths to insure that while Kingpin stays true to its artistic direction, consumers are informed to the nature of this title and the audience that it is intended. Kingpin carries an 'M' rating from the IDSA for mature audiences 17 and older.

"Kingpin is a tour-de-force of a gritty interactive entertainment experience, but is clearly targeted for older audiences," states Cal Morrell, vice president of marketing. "Interplay and Xatrix have included additional labeling, on-screen information and settings, above and beyond what is required for retail, to allow consumers to make an informed decision."

Set in a fictional retro-tech urban world, players are invited into a game of deep dark adventure, organized crime and revolutionary game technology. Based on an enhanced version of the Quake II(TM) engine, Kingpin allows players an ability to explore storylines and subplots, and prepare for confrontation before exploding into all-out warfare. With its film-noir style, superlative graphic detail and sinister soundtrack Kingpin is sure to find that crossover audience gaming's been waiting for.