# Postal 2: Share the Pain

> multiplayer mod for the 2003 video game Postal 2

**Wikidata**: [Q59312137](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59312137)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/postal-2-share-the-pain

## Summary
Postal 2: Share the Pain is a multiplayer mod for the 2003 video game Postal 2, developed by Resurrection Studios and published by Running with Scissors. It adds multiplayer functionality to the original single-player game, allowing players to engage in various game modes including team deathmatch and LAN multiplayer.

## Key Facts
- Released on December 17, 2003, as a multiplayer expansion for Postal 2
- Developed by Resurrection Studios and published by Running with Scissors
- Available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms
- Licensed as proprietary until May 20, 2008, then became freeware
- Features game modes including team deathmatch, LAN multiplayer, and bot multiplayer
- Rated M for Mature 17+ by ESRB with content descriptors including Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language
- PEGI rated 18 for violence, drugs, and discrimination content
- Part of the Postal series and included in Postal: Fudge Pack and Postal: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition
- Uses Unreal Engine 2.5 as its software engine
- Originally distributed on CD-ROM, later available as digital download

## FAQs
### Q: What is Postal 2: Share the Pain?
A: Postal 2: Share the Pain is a multiplayer mod for the 2003 video game Postal 2 that adds multiplayer game modes including team deathmatch, LAN multiplayer, and bot multiplayer to the original single-player game.

### Q: When was Postal 2: Share the Pain released?
A: Postal 2: Share the Pain was released on December 17, 2003, as an expansion to the original Postal 2 game.

### Q: What platforms is Postal 2: Share the Pain available on?
A: Postal 2: Share the Pain is available on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

## Why It Matters
Postal 2: Share the Pain represents an important evolution in the Postal franchise by transforming the controversial single-player experience into a multiplayer platform. This expansion allowed players to engage with the game's satirical and over-the-top content in a social context, creating new dynamics around the game's signature blend of dark humor and extreme violence. The mod demonstrated how controversial single-player games could be adapted for multiplayer audiences, extending the lifespan of the original title and creating new community-driven content. Its transition from proprietary to freeware status in 2008 also reflects changing distribution models in the gaming industry, making the multiplayer experience accessible to a wider audience and preserving this piece of gaming history.

## Notable For
- One of the first multiplayer mods for a controversial first-person shooter, expanding the Postal franchise's reach
- Transitioned from proprietary license to freeware in 2008, making it freely available to all players
- Features the Postal Dude character voiced by Rick Hunter, maintaining continuity with the single-player experience
- Includes multiple multiplayer game modes including team deathmatch and LAN play, significantly expanding gameplay options
- Rated M for Mature 17+ with extensive content warnings, reflecting the game's controversial nature

## Body
### Development and Release
Postal 2: Share the Pain was developed by Resurrection Studios as a multiplayer expansion to the original Postal 2 game. The expansion was published by Running with Scissors and released on December 17, 2003. This timing came approximately one year after the original Postal 2's release, allowing the developers to build upon the established game mechanics and controversial content that made the original successful.

### Technical Specifications
The mod runs on Unreal Engine 2.5, providing the technical foundation for its multiplayer capabilities. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, making it accessible across multiple platforms. The game supports various multiplayer configurations including LAN play, online multiplayer, and bot multiplayer, offering flexibility in how players can engage with the content.

### Content and Classification
Postal 2: Share the Pain maintains the controversial content of the original game, resulting in strict age ratings across different regions. The ESRB rated it M for Mature 17+ with content descriptors including Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs. The PEGI rating is 18, citing violence, drugs, and discrimination. In Australia, it received an RC (Refused Classification) rating, effectively banning its sale in the country.

### Distribution and Licensing
Initially released as a proprietary product on CD-ROM in 2003, Postal 2: Share the Pain underwent a significant licensing change on May 20, 2008, when it became freeware. This transition made the multiplayer mod freely available to all players and reflected broader trends in digital distribution. The game is also included in compilation releases such as Postal: Fudge Pack and Postal: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition.

### Gameplay Features
The multiplayer mod introduces several game modes not present in the original Postal 2, including team deathmatch and various LAN multiplayer options. Players can engage with the game's signature dark humor and extreme content in competitive multiplayer settings, creating new social dynamics around the controversial material. The inclusion of bot multiplayer allows for offline play when internet connectivity is unavailable.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "Postal 2: Share the Pain",
  "description": "A multiplayer mod for the 2003 video game Postal 2, adding multiplayer game modes including team deathmatch and LAN multiplayer.",
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  "sameAs": [
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## References

1. [Source](https://www.esrb.org/ratings/9684/Postal+2%3A+Share+the+Pain/)
2. [PEGI Rating Database](https://pegi.info/search-pegi?q=postal)
3. Australian Classification database
4. [Source](http://www.fvlb.org.nz/nz/pages/publication-details.html?title=76179)
5. Source