Interplay started shipping the extremely controversial Kingpin: Life of Crime to North American stores this morning. The game follows the trial by fire of a street thug as he climbs the organized criminal ladder to become a full-fledged kingpin.

　　Xatrix, Kingpin's developers, had no qualms about showing a high level of gore and violence in the game. As a result, both Xatrix and publisher Interplay have received some flak about some of the game's content. "Kingpin is a tour de force of a gritty interactive entertainment experience, but is clearly targeted for older audiences,'' comments Interplay VP of marketing Cal Morrell. "Interplay and Xatrix have included additional labeling, onscreen information, and settings above and beyond what is required for retail to allow consumers to make an informed decision.'' Some of that additional labeling includes a massive yellow warning sticker across the center of the box that warns prospective customers of Kingpin's violent subject matter and an IDSA rating of "M," indicating a suggested audience of 17 years and older.

　　But the actual content isn't the only controversy to come out of Xatrix. Rumors about disgruntled employees quitting en masse have been flying around the Internet these last two weeks. One particular rumor even claimed that Xatrix became defunct immediately after Kingpin went gold. At the time this story went to press, however, nobody from Xatrix or Interplay could comment on the validity of such rumors.

　　Kingpin: Life of Crime should be available on store shelves by the end of the week.