Redneck Rampage?!

Redneck Rampage: Xatrix Entertainment released this Build engine game via Interplay in 1997 and it became a sleeper hit thanks to its admitted violent content, its adult language and its heavy dose of redneck themed humor and music. A sequel, Redneck Rampage Rides Again, was released in 1998 and has the distinction of being the last commercially released Build engine game. When you have cheerleaders throwing batons made of dynamite at you, that's all you really need to know.

Odds For Revival: Possible. Believe it or not, Vivendi Games actually purchased the Redneck Rampage rights from Interplay a couple of years ago but have not done anything with those rights so far. You would think that actually making the effort to get the IP would indicate at least some interest in reviving the game but so far there's been no word on any game in actual development. Our fingers are crossed that our virtual rednecks will rampage yet again.

Kingpin: Here's yet another Xatrix game, this time on a bit more serious tone as you take on the minions ofan organized crime unit. The game used the Quake II engine and was quite impressive at the time for its enhancements to the visuals. However, the game also was very adult in tone and when the Columbine school shootings happened in 1999, publisher Interplay quickly shipped the game (reportedly before its completion). The final game sold well and got some solid reviews but quickly disappeared.

Odds For Revival: Slim to None. Interplay actually announced plans for a Kingpin sequel a few years ago before the company pretty much became a non-entity (it still exists but hasn't released a game in over two years). Xatrix turned into Gray Matter Entertainment and helped to develop Return to Castle Wolfenstein but then merged with Activision developer Treyarch. At the moment, Kingpin's revival is not in the cards.


Dark Forces/Jedi Knight: The Star Wars first person shooter series is without a doubt one of the best licensed shooter franchises ever developed. The original Dark Forces from Lucasarts, released in 1995, was a solid shooter set in the Original Trilogy timeline of George Lucas' movie space opera, but it's sequel, Dark Forces: Jedi Knight in 1997, was flat out one of the best FPS ever made, thanks to great art and level design, an involving story and even a branching plot that could make the player be a good or bad Jedi Knight. Developer Raven took up the mantle for two more well done Jedi Knight titles (Jedi Outcast in 2002 and Jedi Academy in 2003) that used the Quake III engine.

Odds For Revival: Possible. It's hard to believe that Lucasarts won't take a look at this long running series and not release a new game at some point. Lucasarts is currently undergoing a revival and handling some projects in-house and perhaps a fifth game in this highly successful series would be an ideal candidate for their next project.


Red Faction: Developer Volition and publisher THQ promoted the original Red Faction as a truly revolutionary game and the game's GeoMod engine that allowed for highly destructible environments were indeed something different when it was released in 2001. The sci-fi storyline set on a future Mars wasn't bad either. A sequel in 2002 wasn't quite as good but still showcased the GeoMod engine's abilities.

Odds For Revival: Possible. With the advances in graphics, hardware and gameplay physics, the type of environment destruction that the Red Faction series pioneered would look like it would be perfect for a revival. We've heard rumors from time to time on a next-gen Red Faction return but so far no official announcement has been made.