Activision announces Soldier of Fortune: Payback is shipping, and the mercenary shooter sequel is now available in North American stores:

Minneapolis, MN – November 14, 2007 – The Soldier of Fortune series debuts on the next-generation consoles with the release of Activision, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) Soldier of Fortune® Payback, which is now available at retail stores nationwide. The game puts players into the role of an underground gun-for hire who battles through some of the world’s most dangerous hotspots to defeat an extremist organization intent on throwing the world into global conflict.

“Soldier of Fortune Payback is an intense, high-octane action experience with a story that could be ripped from today’s headlines,” said David Oxford, Activision, Inc. “Leveraging the power of the next-gen consoles, the game delivers the grittiest and most brutal Soldier of Fortune experience yet.”

Soldier of Fortune Payback thrusts players into adrenaline-pumping mercenary combat action after a routine escort mission goes horribly wrong. The game evolves the signature gameplay of its predecessors with refined controls, tension-packed warzones, and an enemy damage system that may be shocking even to experienced FPS players. Players are armed with an impressive arsenal of more than 30 weapons, including sub-machine guns, assault rifles, and projectile explosives, as they hunt down an insidious enemy that respects neither laws, nations, nor armies. The game also offers individual and team based online modes including: Death Match, Team Death Match, Elimination, Team Elimination, Capture the Flag and Demolition.

Soldier of Fortune® Payback is rated M for Mature and is now available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $59.99 and the PC for $39.99. Soldier of Fortune Payback will be available for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on November 21 for $59.99.