Serious Sam is a video game series created and primarily developed by Croteam. It consists predominantly of first-person shooters. The series follows the advances of mercenary Sam "Serious" Stone against Mental, an extraterrestrial overlord who attempts to destroy humanity at various points in time. The first game, Serious Sam: The First Encounter, was released for Microsoft Windows in March 2001. Several spin-offs were developed by other developers, such as a Palm OS conversion of The First Encounter by InterActive Vision, Serious Sam: Next Encounter (on GameCube and PlayStation 2) by Climax Solent, and Serious Sam Advance (on Game Boy Advance) by Climax London. All three were published by Global Star Software.

Development

Croteam created a proprietary engine for use in both Serious Sam: The First Encounter and Serious Sam: The Second Encounter. At the time Croteam was making Serious Sam, licensing other engines was costly (upwards of {{USD|1 million}}), so they made their own from scratch, following the feature set of the first Doom engine, which simulated 3D spaces in 2D, and did not include up or down targeting. As they were creating their own, both Duke Nukem 3D (which added up-and-down freelook) and Quake (a fully 3D rendered environment) were released, requiring Croteam to incorporate these features into their engine for their game to be competitive. Development was further complicated when the first 3D accelerators were released, prompting Croteam to develop for hardware rendering over software.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/10/war-stories-serious-sam-almost-didnt-happen-until-crates-saved-the-day/ |title=War Stories: Serious Sam almost didn't happen—until crates saved the day |first1=Nikola |last1=Mosettig |first2=Lee |last2=Manansala |date=3 October 2018 |website=Ars Technica |access-date=3 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003213132/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/10/war-stories-serious-sam-almost-didnt-happen-until-crates-saved-the-day/ |archive-date=3 October 2018 |url-status=live }} Recognizing they needed to bring something new to what other games were pushing at that time, Croteam decided that they would make their Serious Engine support extremely large environments, with virtual view distances of over a kilometre, physics support, and capability of rendering up to a hundred enemies on screen at a time, and do this on the processing power of what current low-end computers using the original Pentium CPUs could handle. The team devised ways of doing object path caching so that they only had to perform collision detection with environmental features every few seconds rather than every cycle. Collision detection was also sped up by approximating the environment with spheres rather than boxes. This also enabled them to have multidirection gravity which was used for some of the game's secret areas.

Serious Engine 1 is available as open-source software.{{cite web |url=http://www.croteam.com/serious-sam-source-code-released/ |title=Serious Sam's Serious Engine source code released |date=11 March 2016 |website=Croteam |access-date=12 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312014114/http://www.croteam.com/serious-sam-source-code-released/ |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=live }} A more powerful iteration of the Serious Engine was developed for use in Serious Sam 2 and is known as Serious Engine 2. It supports many features of modern GPUs such as pixel and vertex shaders, HDR, bloom and parallax mapping. Serious Engine 3 was used in Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter and Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter. It includes detailed shading, and enemies are re-modelled to look more realistic. This engine is also being developed to harness the full capacity of HDR and high definition mapping. An updated version, Serious Engine 3.5, is used in Serious Sam 3.

Serious Sam is voiced by John Dick.{{cite web |url=https://bit-tech.net/news/gaming/pc/serious-sam-voice-actor-for-hire-to-fans/1/ |title=Serious Sam voice actor for hire to fans |first=Joe |last=Martin |date=August 12, 2009 |website=Bit-Tech |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812074607/https://www.bit-tech.net/news/gaming/pc/serious-sam-voice-actor-for-hire-to-fans/1/ |url-status=live }}

After the release of both HD remakes of the original Serious Sam episodes, Devolver Digital re-released both classic encounters in 2010 and Serious Sam 2 in 2011.{{cite web |title=Serious Sam: The Second Encounter HD Review |url=https://bit-tech.net/reviews/gaming/pc/serious-sam-the-second-encounter-hd-review/1/ |website=BitTech |access-date=7 March 2023}}

Games

= Main series =

{{Video game titles|

{{Video game titles/item

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: The First Encounter

| title = Serious Sam: The First Encounter

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|21 March 2001{{cite web |title=Serious Sam: The First Encounter |url=https://www.gamespot.com/games/serious-sam-the-first-encounter/ |website=GameSpot |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608192226/https://www.gamespot.com/games/serious-sam-the-first-encounter/ |url-status=live }}}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2001 – Windows, Palm OS
2002 – Xbox

HD Version
2009 – Windows
2010 – Xbox 360
2017 – Linux
2020 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

| platform =

| notes = * First-person shooter

Published by Gathering of Developers
The Xbox version of the game is published by Gotham Games, which combines The First Encounter and The Second Encounter into one game
In 2003, both The First Encounter and The Second Encounter were compiled into one single collection titled Serious Sam: Gold
On 24 November 2009, The First Encounter was re-released with high-definition graphics titled Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter{{cite web |title=Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/41000/Serious_Sam_HD_The_First_Encounter/ |website=Steam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112004804/https://store.steampowered.com/app/41000/Serious_Sam_HD_The_First_Encounter/ |url-status=live }}
On 31 March 2017, The First Encounter was re-released with virtual reality support titled Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter{{cite web |title=Serious Sam VR: The First Encounter |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/552450/Serious_Sam_VR_The_First_Encounter/ |website=Steam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=20 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420165536/https://store.steampowered.com/app/552450/Serious_Sam_VR_The_First_Encounter/ |url-status=live }}
A bundle containing both of the original games, titled Serious Sam Classics: Revolution, was developed by Alligator Pit and was in early access from 2014 until its full release in 2019{{cite web |title=Serious Sam Classics: Revolution |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/227780/Serious_Sam_Classics_Revolution/ |website=Steam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=7 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607205232/https://store.steampowered.com/app/227780/Serious_Sam_Classics_Revolution/ |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

| title = Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|5 February 2002{{cite web |title=15th anniversary of Serious Sam: The Second Encounter |url=http://www.croteam.com/15th-anniversary-serious-sam-second-encounter/ |website=Croteam |date=6 February 2017 |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=16 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616040648/http://www.croteam.com/15th-anniversary-serious-sam-second-encounter/ |url-status=live }}}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2002 – Windows, Xbox

HD Version
2010 – Windows, Xbox 360
2017 – Linux
2020 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

| platform =

| notes = * First-person shooter

Published by Gathering of Developers
The Xbox version of the game is published by Gotham Games, which combines The Second Encounter and The First Encounter into one game
In 2003, both The First Encounter and The Second Encounter were compiled into one single collection titled Serious Sam: Gold
On 28 April 2010, The Second Encounter was re-released with high-definition graphics titled Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter{{cite web |title=Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/41014/Serious_Sam_HD_The_Second_Encounter/ |website=Steam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510160303/https://store.steampowered.com/app/41014/Serious_Sam_HD_The_Second_Encounter/ |url-status=live }}
On 4 April 2017, The Second Encounter was re-released with virtual reality support titled Serious Sam VR: The Second Encounter{{cite web |title=Serious Sam VR: The Second Encounter |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/552460/Serious_Sam_VR_The_Second_Encounter/ |website=Steam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621120727/https://store.steampowered.com/app/552460/Serious_Sam_VR_The_Second_Encounter/ |url-status=live }}
A bundle containing both of the original games, titled Serious Sam Classics: Revolution, was developed by Alligator Pit and was in early access from 2014 until its full release in 2019

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam 2

| title = Serious Sam 2

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|11 October 2005{{cite web |title=Serious Sam 2 |url=http://www.croteam.com/serious-sam-2/ |website=Croteam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516125344/http://www.croteam.com/serious-sam-2/ |url-status=live }}}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2005 – Windows, Xbox

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Croteam and published by 2K Games

Sequel to Serious Sam: The Second Encounter

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam 3: BFE

| title = Serious Sam 3: BFE

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|22 November 2011{{cite web |title=Serious Sam 3: BFE |url=http://www.croteam.com/serioussam3bfe/ |website=Croteam |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=13 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513202822/http://www.croteam.com/serioussam3bfe/ |url-status=live }}}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2011 – Windows
2012 – Mac OS X, Xbox 360, Linux
2014 – PlayStation 3
2020 – Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital

Prequel to Serious Sam: The First Encounter
On 10 November 2017, Serious Sam 3: BFE was re-released with virtual reality support titled Serious Sam 3 VR: BFE

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam 4

| title = Serious Sam 4

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|24 September 2020}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2020 – Windows, Stadia
2021 – PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Croteam and published by Devolver Digital

Prequel to Serious Sam 3: BFE

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem

| title = Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|25 January 2022}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2022 – Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Timelock Studio and Croteam{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/serious-sam-shoots-through-siberia-in-a-standalone-expansion-this-month |title=Serious Sam shoots through Siberia in a standalone expansion this month |first=Alice |last=O'Connor |date=10 January 2022 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun |access-date=10 January 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110192501/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/serious-sam-shoots-through-siberia-in-a-standalone-expansion-this-month |url-status=live}}

Published by Devolver Digital
Standalone expansion to Serious Sam 4

}}

= Spin-offs =

{{Video game titles|

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: Next Encounter

| title = Serious Sam: Next Encounter

| date = {{vgrelease|NA|14 April 2004|EU|30 April 2004}}

| multiplereleasedates = yes

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2004 – GameCube, PlayStation 2

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Climax Solent and published by Global Star Software

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam Advance

| title = Serious Sam Advance

| date = {{vgrelease|NA|14 April 2004|EU|30 April 2004}}

| multiplereleasedates = yes

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2004 – Game Boy Advance

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Climax London and published by Global Star Software

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam Double D

| title = Serious Sam Double D

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|30 August 2011}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2011 – Windows
2013 – Xbox 360 (XXL)

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Mommy's Best Games and published by Devolver Digital

An expanded version, Serious Sam Double D XXL, was released for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade in February 2013, introducing a local cooperative multiplayer mode. The Windows version followed as a free update for the original game

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: Kamikaze Attack!

| title = Serious Sam: Kamikaze Attack!

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|15 September 2011}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2011 – Android, iOS
2012 – Windows

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Be-Rad Entertainment and published by Devolver Digital

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: The Random Encounter

| title = Serious Sam: The Random Encounter

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|24 October 2011}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2011 – Windows

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Vlambeer and published by Devolver Digital

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article =

| title = Serious Sam: The Greek Encounter

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|24 January 2012}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2012 – Windows

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Eric Ruth Games and published by Devolver Digital

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

| title = Serious Sam's Bogus Detour

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|20 June 2017}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2017 – Windows, Linux

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Crackshell and published by Devolver Digital{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/272620/Serious_Sams_Bogus_Detour/|title=Serious Sam's Bogus Detour on Steam|website=store.steampowered.com|access-date=15 July 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806223450/https://store.steampowered.com/app/272620/Serious_Sams_Bogus_Detour/|url-status=live}}

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope

| title = Serious Sam VR: The Last Hope

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|20 September 2017}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2017 – Windows

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Croteam VR and published by Devolver Digital

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = I Hate Running Backwards

| title = I Hate Running Backwards

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|22 May 2018}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2018 – Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Binx Interactive and published by Devolver Digital

}}

{{Video game titles/item

| series = no

| futuregame = no

| article = Serious Sam: Tormental

| title = Serious Sam: Tormental

| date = {{vgrelease|WW|8 April 2022}}

| multiplereleasedates = no

| canceled =

| refs =

| release = 2022 – Windows

| platform =

| notes = * Developed by Gungrounds

Published by Devolver Digital
Formerly in early access from 2 April 2019

}}

Notes

References

External links

{{Official website|http://serioussam.com/}}

Category:Video game franchises introduced in 2001

Category:Indie games