Kingpin: Life of Crime was developed by Xatrix Entertainment using the Quake II engine and released in 1999 by Interplay Entertainment for Microsoft Windows. A Linux version was also made available online.
Similar to their earlier Redneck series, it features a soundtrack made up of actual songs, in this case by hip-hop act Cypress Hill. The game features a gangland theme with art deco influences, and gameplay with open world elements.
Sales suffered due to being released close the the Columbine High School massacre and the attendant revival of the video game controversy.
Interplay announced work on a sequel in 2004 for Windows and Xbox, but was never released. In 2020 it was announced by the revived 3D Realms that a remaster was in the works, ultimately released in 2024 as Kingpin: Reloaded to mixed reviews.