The Story of Soren: From BBS Pioneer to Gaming Truth-Seeker
Over three decades of building tools and communities that help people connect and get more from their passions
The Story of Our Founder
My name is Jeff Sorrentino. For over three decades, I've been building tools and communities that help people connect and get more from their passions. This journey began during the early days of online communities in the BBS era.
This website, Soren Gaming, is the culmination of that lifelong journey — from the dial-up days to unbiased reviews across PC, console, indie, and AAA gaming. This is the story of that lineage.
Timeline of a Gaming Journey
Launched The 4th Dimension BBS in Chicago as Sysop under 4D Software
Developed shareware tools like Deluxe Door Menu (DDM) and Deluxe Conference Menu (DCM)
Created JS's Hunter Bar (JSHB) addon for World of Warcraft, amassing 1.49M+ downloads
Gained community recognition, including reviews from creators like Bellular
Founded Soren Gaming for unbiased news and reviews across PC, console, indie, and AAA titles
Foundations in the Dial-Up Era: The 4th Dimension BBS
Long before the internet, communities formed via modems and phone lines. In 1986, I launched The 4th Dimension BBS in Chicago as a multi-line hub for file sharing, messaging, and early gaming.
Under the handle 4D Software, I created shareware like DDM and DCM to empower other Sysops. This era taught me a core principle: empower users with reliable tools and clear info.
A Modern Milestone: JS's Hunter Bar (JSHB)
Fast-forward to World of Warcraft. I built JSHB to cut through battle chaos, delivering precise data for better gameplay. It became a staple, with over 1.49 million downloads on CurseForge — a public record linking directly to Soren Gaming.
As seen there:
"The original author of this addon (JS) is now involved in a bigger project: https://soren.com take a look!"
This proves the expertise behind Soren extends to millions of players.
Still in the Game (Literally)
I'm no retired dev critiquing from afar — I game daily across genres, from indie gems to console classics and modern RPGs. Let's be honest... I can still kick ass in video games! 🎮
Playing now: Escape from Tarkov, Exoborne (in playtest), and SCUM—when I can find the time.
I played Destiny 1 & Destiny 2 a LOT, but Bungie screwed that up - you know the story!
But here's the key: I designed our review system to eliminate bias and give gamers a real view of what other gamers actually think — not what they're told to think or what sponsors want you to hear. It's about authentic community sentiment, not personal opinions. 😄
Early Community Recognition
My passion for player tools got noticed early. Over a decade ago, Bellular reviewed one of my addons, praising its utility in his detailed analysis.
Independent Community Recognition
This validation from a respected voice fueled my commitment to quality, now core to Soren Gaming
The Mission of Soren Gaming
Gamers today, like in 1986, crave facts over hype and analysis over opinions. Soren Gaming delivers transparent, data-backed reviews and news — we show our work, stand by the data, and cut through industry noise.
Read the full breakdown on our Methodology Page.
Thank you for trusting this 30+ year legacy. Welcome to the next chapter.
— Jeff Sorrentino ('JS')