GamesRadar - BioShock

Assassin's Creed II Special Edition Unboxing (News)

Nov 14, 2009

Gamervision: As you might know by now, Gamervision takes Collector's Editions very, very seriously. You can be sure that at least one person in the office will be picking up one or another, and then chatting about it the following day. What can we say, we love plastic stuff! It's also cool to see developers try and one-up each other, each trying to give gamers more bang for their buck. As of now, the winner is likely BioShock, which came with a fantastic Big Daddy figure for a measly $10, or Modern Warfare 2 with it's night vision goggles, since, you know, they technically have a use outside of sitting on a shelf.

That crown might be shifting, however, since we've been sent some images of the new Assassin's Creed II Special Edition that make it look like the new lord of all things materialistic. Yes, yes, we already knew what was in the box, but the images below give a great sense of scale, and show exactly how awesome the $80 box is.

Direct2Drive $5 Sale Goes to War (News)

Oct 7, 2009

D2D is onto the fifth and final week of it's 5 Year Anniversary $5 Game Sale, this time giving several war titles the Lincoln treatment.

Highlights include 90% off Battlestations: Pacific and over 80% off on titles Company of Heroes Gold and Supreme Commander Gold.

Ten games in all fill the war list, with 20 other titles from all genres still being offered at $5 including Bioshock, Mount & Blade and The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.

Cinema Staff Play BioShock On The Big Screen (News)

Oct 5, 2009

zConnection's Connor Beaton writes: "Looks like there are certain perks to working in small cinemas; the staff of our local cinema The New Picture House in the lovely Scottish town of St. Andrews enjoyed the opportunity to play BioShock on their largest screen yesterday using the Christie CP-2000 Digital Projector.

"Unfortunately, members of the public were not invited to join in this gaming bout, but that didn't stop the participants from tweeting about it, twice. I guess every job has its perks."

The 12 most misunderstood videogame villains (Feature)

Oct 1, 2009

One reason we like games is that the stakes are high. The good guys are really good, the bad guys are really bad, and the princesses are really doe-eyed. But sometimes, games manage to work in villains that operate in shades of gray… and other times, they accidentally make a villain out of the most sympathetic guy in the story. ...

BioShock Release Date Announced for Mac (Includes Minimum Spec) (News)

Sep 25, 2009

Barely surviving a plane crash, the player lands in icy uncharted waters and discovers the undersea city of Rapture, a failed utopia whose citizens had embraced genetic engineering before descending into pure anarchy. Power and greed have run amok and the city has succumbed to civil war. To survive, gamers must turn everything they find into a weapon, use their powers of observation to piece together what happened and make the difficult decisions necessary in order to escape a paradise gone badly wrong.

BioShock on Mac next month (News)

Sep 24, 2009

BioShock, 2007's critically acclaimed shooter from 2K Games, will launch for the Mac on October 7th, it has been confirmed.

Set in the vast underwater utopia of Rapture, BioShock tells a tale of broken dreams, as the player explores the once grand city, discovering its terrible history and meeting its insane inhabitants. And, of course, whacking a vast majority of them 'round the head with a wrench. As you do.

(More at source.)

Myth in games (Feature)

Sep 17, 2009

We’ve all had our fun spotting recurring elements in games. So many kidnapped princesses! So many spiky-haired antiheroes! But why the constant repetitions? Are developers that lazy? Or could games, in their transition from high-score one-upmanship to narrative medium, have tapped into the basics of mythic tropes? ...

BioShock and Saints Row 2 Reduced to a fiver - AllAboutTheGames (News)

Sep 14, 2009

AllAboutTheGames reports:

"The generous folks over at Direct2Drive are offering BioShock and Saints Row 2 among others, for the measly price of £5 to celebrate the company's birthday.

Other titles reduced to a fiver include:

STALKER: Shadow of Chernobly
Juiced 2
Sid Meiers Pirates
Frontlines: Fuel of War
Max Payne 2

Direct2Drive, as the name would suggest, allows you to digitally download your PC games and at five quid a pop for its celebratory titles means you'll get a gaming classic for less than the price of a couple of pints."

BioShock Now Only $12 (News)

Jul 31, 2009

If you own a decent gaming computer and still haven't played BioShock, GamersGate is giving you a chance to redeem yourself. The digital game shop is offering the underwater dystopia shooter for a mere $11.98.

8 games with disastrously botched rescue missions (Feature)

Jul 30, 2009

Generally, the first rule when it comes to rescuing hostages is ‘don’t let everybody get horribly done in.’ But sadly, this proves too much of a stumbling block for many game heroes. Be it accidentally killing geriatrics with a killer virus or letting the damsel in distress get crushed by a cow, the following rescue missions all get botched. Spectacularly.

&# ...

PSFocus.nl reports: Fans of BioShock have made a Big Sister suit (News)

Jul 16, 2009

PSFocus.nl writes: "There are those people who really join in the games they play. If you have the collecting gamer, they played a collection of games that they like. Then there is the editor gamer, they like to write news stories so fellow gamers with the latest game news for. Then there are those dressed gamer. This gamer love to dress as his or her favorite game character."

Take-Two: BioShock 2 delay is 'a disappointment' (News)

Jul 13, 2009

Nick from PS3Center writes:

Take-Two Interactive, a large scale video game publisher, has officially delayed Bioshock into 2010. In a stock investors conference call, the publisher wholeheartedly admits that the delay is "a disappointment", but insists the move was a "right decision for the product". Strauss Zelnick, Chairman of Take-Two, stated that the delay will allow them to create "a more compelling consumer experience and a better performing product in the marketplace".

BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle Now Available (Europe) (News)

Jul 11, 2009

2K Games and Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, announced today that the BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle is now available in shops across the UK for a suggested retail price of £29.99 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and £19.99 for Windows PC.

2K Games and Bethesda Softworks Announce BioShock and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle Now Available (News)

Jul 7, 2009

2K Games and Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, announced today that the BioShock and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle is now available at retail outlets across North America.

This week's new videogame releases (week of 7/6/09) (News)

Jul 4, 2009

This week's new videogame releases:
(subject to change)

Xbox 360:
Bioshock & The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Bundle
The Bigs 2

PLAYSTATION 3:
The Bigs 2

Wii:
The Bigs 2

PC:
BioShock and Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Bundle
Street Fighter IV MadCatz Bundle
Street Fighter IV
Agatha Christie: Peril at End House
Europa Universalis Rome Gold
Hunting Unlimited 2010
The Hardy Boys: The Perfect Crime

DS & DSi:
no new releases

PSP:
The Bigs 2

Gaming's most facepalm-worthy heroes (Feature)

Jun 26, 2009

When the hero's mistakes end the world instead of saving it. ...

UK Release Confirmed for BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle (News)

Jun 19, 2009

Following this morning's revelation that 2K Games and Bethesda Softworks are set to deliver a very high-profile double-pack for Xbox 360 and PC in the US, confirmation has now arrived of a UK release. The BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle will make it's way to UK stores this July, with a very respectable price-tag.

Why the BioShock/Oblivion bundle is skipping the PS3 (News)

Jun 17, 2009

Nick @ PS3Center writes:

BioShock and Oblivion are two of the most innovative first person games released this generation, combined winning some odd 80+ Game of the Year awards. So when a press release went out earlier today revealing a software bundle containing the two, a lot of people's interests were piqued. However, the bundle will not be making it's way to the PS3. Curious, PS3Center contacted Bethesda to find out why.

Bioshock And Oblivion Get Bundled (News)

Jun 17, 2009

Torrence Davis of The Bitbag writes, "Wow what a sweet bundle. I haven't picked up Bioshock yet and now is the perfect time. It's like buy one get one free. Bethesda and 2K ROCK!"

The secretly sinister storylines of your favourite games (Feature)

Jun 12, 2009

You never knew they were so wrong... ...

IGN: Verbinski Off BioShock? (News)

Jun 2, 2009

IGN writes: "If the now delayed BioShock movie does happen, it likely won't be directed by Pirates of the Caribbean helmer Gore Verbinski after all.

Verbinski was asked about the status of BioShock during a chat with The Los Angeles Times. Universal halted development on the high-profile project last month due to budgetary concerns, with the studio scrapping its original plan to shoot the film in L.A."

Take-Two, Tor Team Up For BioShock Novel (News)

May 27, 2009

Notable sci-fi book publisher Tor, current home of the Halo books, will publish a BioShock novel in Fall 2009 that promises to "take you deeper into the realms" of the franchise's story.

The book's announcement comes as a teaser page within the company's late 2009 book catalog, recently provided to Gamasutra. Other than a release date of Fall 2009 and the note that there will be both hardcover and paperback releases of the 400-page book, no more information is given.

Notably, that the book catalog's index lists the author for the page in question as 'Ken Levine' -- but this may simply be because the novel is based on his concepts, rather than his actual writing.

Smashiest glass! (Video)

May 27, 2009

Dive beneath the ocean's surface for a dark masterpiece of gameplay design. Scaring you is just the first of many, many things BioShock does spectacularly right.

2K Games sale on D2D includes BioShock for under $10 (News)

May 26, 2009

Direct2Drive is having a great sale on their catalog of 2K Games including BioShock, Sid Meier's Civilization IV, MLB2K9 and more for under $10.

BioShock 2: GamesRadar reader response (Feature)

May 13, 2009

We ranted, you replied. Now the discussion continues. ...

TalkRadar 50 – all about YOU (Feature)

May 8, 2009

The Topics

Top 7… gut-wrenching choices – or, as Charlie admits, the Top 7… decisions.

Motion controls are coming to Xbox 360 – first avatars, now motion silliness. Could a handheld MicroBoy be far behind?

Punch-Out!! exclusive boxer reveals – see, GamesRadar gets cool exclusives too.

More shitty Spider-Man audio – from the Sega CD game we vow to reference once every four podcasts.

And more!!!!!! ...

Why BioShock 2 is a TERRIBLE IDEA (Feature)

May 8, 2009

One Rapture-loving Radar editor hates the sequel already. Here's why. ...

In The Beginning (News)

May 4, 2009

The article reads:

"When I think of videogame beginnings, I think about riding a tram. As subdued, subtle and un-in-your-face as a beginning can get, Half Life's slow decent into Black Mesa is the place where I thought differently about how videogames could draw us into a world forever."

BioShock Film Halted by Universal (News)

Apr 25, 2009

GOONL!NE: "Wuh oh. Universal Studios have halted production on the movie version of BioShock."

Faked Bioshock DX11 video spoofs Youtube users (News)

Apr 24, 2009

Apparently someone published a video at Youtube that claims to show a DirectX 11 version of Bioshock. Now there is a fierce argument about whether the video shows a faked DX11 Bioshock or even ingame sequences of Bioshock 2.

Five rules for introducing your girlfriend to gaming (Feature)

Apr 15, 2009

I’m not a miserable sexist ass; I’m just a practical observer. One thing I’ve observed is that men and women are different (I figured that one out pretty early on). Since I’m a rational person, I’m aware that nothing is entirely one way or another. Even the divide between life and death is ambiguous (uh, zombies, amirite?). ...

The 10 greatest mustaches in gaming history (Feature)

Apr 9, 2009

Video Games and facial hair have long had a close bond, be it the soul patch on the Prince of Persia, Gordon Freeman’s goatee, or the five o'clock shadow on every single character made with the Unreal 3 Engine. But while most games have people (mostly men) with some bit of hair growing beneath the nose but above the mouth, there are too few with just a mustache adding character to their faces. ...

OnLive Beta sign-up begins (News)

Mar 25, 2009

The official website of OnLive launched last night. If you haven't heard about, it's the newly unveiled internet-based game delivery service.

A beta sign-up form is now online. The requirements listed for signing up in the OnLive beta testing is: "You need to be at least 18, based in the US and have a broadband-connected PC running Windows Vista®/XP®, or an Intel®-based Mac." The beta is set to begin soon, in summer 2009.

The games listed and being featured on the OnLive network include:
Burnout Paradise
HAWX
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
Frontlines: Fuel of War
Tomb Raider: Underworld
GRID
World of Goo
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Crysis Warhead
Wheelman
LEGO Batman: The Videogame
Unreal Tournament 3
Major League Baseball 2K9
Mirror's Edge
Prince of Persia
BioShock

The best and worst game promo T-shirts (Feature)

Mar 20, 2009

Amongst the games, press releases and bulging envelopes of cash curiously marked '9/10, yeah?' that we receive from publishers each day we also get clothing. Mainly T-shirts of random ill-fitting sizes. And they fall into three categories: Outdoors, Indoors, and Bin. ...

23 amazing game soundtracks you don't remember (Feature)

Mar 19, 2009

Unsung, underrated and unbelievably good. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. ...

Bioshock 2 Details Emerge From The Deep (News)

Mar 18, 2009

The sequel takes place 10 years after the original (Not a prequel like previously rumored) You play the very first Big Daddy prototype and still patrol Rapture. The city did not crumble after all. It reached an equilibrium thanks to the Big Sister. A once Little Sister that escaped with Dr. Tenenbaum in the first Bioshock. Big Sister has returned to Rapture for unknown reasons beside maintaining order. She has captured little girls from all around the world and transformed them into Little Sister. Your role in Bioshock 2 is to either Harvest or Adopt these little sisters and solve the Big Sister mystery. You may be an all powerful Big Daddy, but Big Sister does not mess around. She will protect her city, at all costs.
The game wont just be a solo adventure game either. There will be multiplayer of some sort, without compromise to the single player.

The world's best game devs in their own words (Feature)

Mar 11, 2009

The secrets of their success in their own words. ...

A close look at the Bioshock 2 teaser site (News)

Mar 6, 2009

Xboxinsider writes: A teaser site for Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams has recently turned up on the ol' internet. When you visit the site, you will notice that it appears to be a map. To begin our journey click Ireland for win.

Real-life Portal Gun Creator Makes BioShock Syringe (News)

Feb 27, 2009

Harrison Krix, the prop artist who turned heads recently by making a real-life mock-up of a Portal gun, has just created another video game weapon. This time, it's the syringe wielded by Little Sisters in BioShock.

Amazon Kicks Off Buy 2 Get 1 Free Promo on Take 2 Games (News)

Feb 23, 2009

Gamerdeals.net writes:

"In addition to the Monday PS2 Gold Box event, Amazon is also offering a Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion on many Take 2 Games for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and more...

Titles include Bioshock, NBA2K9, Oblivion, Carnival Mini golf, Civilization Revolution, plus more...

Promo only lasts through Wednesday, February 25, 2009!

Full Details:"

Rumour: Bioshock Coming to Wii? (News)

Feb 13, 2009

Split-screen.com writes: "2K Games has already announced Bioshock 2, the sequel to their critically acclaimed RPG/FPS, in a secret trailer packaged with the PS3 version late last year. A recent job listing on Gamasutra announces the developer's need for a UI (User Interface) Programmer for Bioshock 2. A standard job, for sure. However, not only has 2K Games requested a large number of qualifications for such a typical profession but one line struck us as interesting."

How Metacritic rules the games industry (Feature)

Feb 4, 2009

You’re probably kicking yourself for not thinking of it first. Instead of relying on one critic’s point of view, mash them all together into one easily-understood uberscore. Rubbish games will be punished, quality will win out, and the occasional dodgy verdict will be smoothed over by the masses. That’s the theory. ...

Bioshock creeping on to iPhone? (News)

Feb 2, 2009

iPGN writes:

"A session at the Game Develeloper Conference (GDC) in San Francisco this March entitled 'bringing BIOSHOCK to Mobile' has raised a few eyebrows here at iPGN. While the session description on the GDC website doesn't indicate it's for the iPhone, it would make sense, considering Apple's device would best handle the graphical beauty associated with the hit console game. But how would such a game play? we're thinking an 3D/isometric viewpoint along the lines of Hero of Sparta.. or, if they get the controls right, a first person view point isn't out of the question. Be safe in the knowledge that our crack team of writers will be at GDC to bring you all the breaking stories this March.

Official Session Description

This session will cover how IGFUN worked with Take Two Software to bring BIOSHOCK, the Xbox 360 Game of the Year, to the mobile phone. How did the deal come together? What went into bringing a massive brand and excellent game play to a mobile device? We'll discuss potential pitfalls and how they were resolved with attention to quality as the #1 job. In a post-mobile games market, how can you effectively launch and market such a Title?"

Bioshock 2 To Feature Multiplayer (News)

Feb 1, 2009

It appears that Bioshock 2: Sea of Dreams will have a multiplayer mode, and will be available for the PC,PS3,and 360.

The following is a recent posting on gamasutra.com's job listings section:

Behind the scenes of gaming's great soundtracks (Feature)

Jan 28, 2009

When he started sharing his idea of an orchestra playing music from videogames, people thought the veteran composer Tommy Tallarico was off his rocker. It took him three years to convince publishers and developers that he was sane. “Imagine me making a call to Taito in Japan, asking them for the rights for the score of [1983 arcade hit] Elevator Action. “I’d like to play the theme tune to the game at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Hello... hello?’” ...

Rumor Killers: Alan Wake dated? Indy canned? Bioshock ported? (News)

Jan 13, 2009

Does Alan Wake have a release date? Has the new Indy game been canned? Is Bioshock coming to the Mac?

The Best (And Worst) Of 2008: Sports Legends Editors' Choice Awards (News)

Jan 5, 2009

For the second year running, the Xbox 360 is the king of consoles. Barely edging out the impressive PS3, the swanky new dash and the amazing exclusives like Gears of War 2 and Fable 2 put Microsoft over the top. The Wii's casual focus didn't garner it any votes this year.

The 28 Best FPS Games (News)

Jan 3, 2009

From the dystopian corridors of BioShock's subterranean "paradise" to the Strogg-infested space stations found throughout the Quake franchise, First Person Shooters have found countless ways to establish themselves as rich, enjoyable experiences, capturing the hearts and trigger fingers of gamers worldwide.

Even if it's just blasting away wave after wave of demons in Blood, or perhaps saving mankind from itself as you traverse Half-Life 2's City 17, the FPS genre has proven itself time and time again.

Steam Post-Holiday Sale Has Officially Started (News)

Dec 27, 2008

Valve has released news about a post-holiday sale on many of their games ranging from 25% to 75% regular prices.

Cinema Blend writes: "Titles such as Bioshock and Portal are actually up for grabs at 75% off the regular price. Yikes, that's a good deal. Particular items from Ubisoft, THQ, and 2K Games are also all available at 25% off the retail prices. Honestly, sounds like a good deal to me. "

GameSpot's Best of 2008: Preliminaries (News)

Dec 3, 2008

In a year when most businesses tried to figure out how to stay alive, the video game industry thrived thanks to two things: great games, and you. So give yourself a pat on the back; your thirst for single-handedly saving the world with magic, guns, and fast thumbs has kept the gaming industry going strong when all else seems to be going wrong.

Subscription-based GTA and BioShock planned? (News)

Nov 17, 2008

CVG.com writes: "Take-Two chief Strauss Zelnick says that the company's looking to exploit a subscription-based pricing model for its AAA titles.

While the publisher's currently focused on delivering its first DLC (for Grand Theft Auto IV and the PS3 version of BioShock), it has other plans in store to boost its bank account, which could see its premium titles take on a subscription-based model.

"The holy grail is taking a business, already a very large and successful business that's focused on packaged goods that you sell once and then are occasionally resold by others with new benefit to us, and turning that into a subscription business or a semi subscription business where we have an ongoing relationship with consumers, giving them products that they want," Zelnick said at last week's BMO Capital Markets conference (whoops, missed it at the time)."

The Top 7... Outrageously Camp Bad Guys (Feature)

Nov 17, 2008

Evil doesn't HAVE to be serious business... ...

Why scary games are never scary (Feature)

Oct 28, 2008

They can be creepy. They can be disturbing. They can obviously be gross, gory and gruesome. Are videogames, however, really that scary? Do they truly, honestly frighten you? We don't think so, and here are 13 reasons why. ...

Capcom: BioShock influenced Resident Evil 5 (News)

Oct 23, 2008

Capcom producer Masachika Kawata has revealed that development of Resident Evil 5 has been influenced by 2K Games' rapturously received BioShock.

When asked whether his team had learned any lessons from western titles, Kawata responded: "BioShock. It's a classic game which really utilised the next gen power very well. The world is very strong and very believable, and the whole game was quite inspiring."

BioShock 2 trailer hits interwebs! (News)

Oct 16, 2008

This shaky-cam YouTube video shows what appears to be a teaser for BioShock 2 found in the Extras menu on the retail PS3 version of BioShock. The teaser consists of one shot, pulling back from a scraggly Big Daddy doll to reveal a Little Sister standing on a beach looking at the sunrise (it’s the Atlantic Coast, and since America is the Center of the World we assume she’s looking East.) ...

BioShock developer details PS3 improvements (News)

Oct 15, 2008

2K Marin programmer Jake Etgeton confirms that the PS3 version of BioShock will feature new interactive load screens and graphical enhancements due to the use of Blu-ray and the ability to install data on the PS3 hard drive

Plastic Wax Animation Studio Announce Global Expansion Plans (News)

Oct 8, 2008

dailygamesnews.com - Plastic Wax, a leading digital animation studio specializing in videogame production and premium entertainment, including work on games such as Bioshock, Tomb Raider, The Darkness, and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II today announced global expansion plans that include extensive talent acquisition, investments in new technology and the opening of an office in San Francisco focused on business development.

Bionic Commando producer: 'Bioshock was easy as hell' (News)

Sep 17, 2008

In an interview with VideoGamer.com, Ben Judd said that gamers now only want to die "once or twice" in games.

When we asked the Capcom producer if he reckons games are too easy on gamers these days, Judd replied: "Yes, I do. I think that if you look at one of the highest praised games of last year, BioShock, BioShock was easy as Hell, I don't care what anybody says. That's what people want. They want to play through it. They want to die once or twice. It's like an interactive movie, sort of. Gamers have lost their will to continually drill down on something."

BioShock to be performed at Games In Concert 3 (News)

Sep 5, 2008

Games In Concert have confirmed to Music4Games.Net that BioShock will be among some of the soundtracks to be performed at this year's live orchestral game music concert in Utrecht, The Netherlands on November 15th.

BioShock PS3 DLC 'right now exclusive' (News)

Aug 28, 2008

During Leipzig Games Convention last week VideoGamer.com caught up with 2K Games senior producer Melissa Miller and asked her if the exclusive content will also come out on 360.

Miller replied: "The answer is no. Right now this is a PS3 exclusive."

BioShock movie won't be "Kate Hudson hunting for pirate treasure," says Levine (News)

Aug 6, 2008

VG247: Big-shot Hollywood film guy Gore Verbinski "gets" the BioShock franchise. Ken Levine told us so last week. So don't expect pretty blondes with unsmudged make-up impaling themselves on muscle-bound dunderheads in the screen adaptation of the 2K Boston game.

BioShock Rescued Shooters, Says Levine (News)

Aug 4, 2008

2K's Ken Levine has told Eurogamer he reckons BioShock has rescued the shooter genre by opening up a brand new market.

"I can pretty much guarantee to you that if BioShock wasn't successful, there never would have been another game like this," Levine told Eurogamer in an exclusive interview. "I don't even know how we convinced people to pay for BioShock. These games had never made any money - everybody told us when we were pitching BioShock, sounds like a great idea, you'll sell 150,000 units - next!"

Job Application Found for Possible BioShock 2 Lead Multiplayer Designer (News)

Jul 31, 2008

Ripten's John Kershaw discovered a very interesting job opportunity at 2K Boston.

The job, Lead Multiplayer Designer, is described as requiring familiarity with the BioShock game. Could this be early indication than while 2K Marin are working on BioShock 2's main story, 2K Boston will be adding multiplayer?

Ken Levine: BioShock gameplay innovates well compared to Portal, Call of Duty and Medal of Honor (News)

Jul 31, 2008

Speaking to VG247 at Develop yesterday, 2K Boston's Ken Levine said that he didn't understand why gamers had leveled criticism and the scope of innovation in BioShock's gameplay compared to the steps forward the game made in terms of narrative.

Ken Levine: "Maybe I am an asshole," but rumour doesn't matter (News)

Jul 30, 2008

VG247: 2K Boston's Ken Levine has responded to rumour that certain members of the original BioShock team left to work at 2K Marin because of dislike for him personally by saying talk of its kind simply doesn't matter.

BioShock was supposed to be the most integrated porn film of all time, says Levine (News)

Jul 30, 2008

VG247: Speaking at Develop today, 2K Boston star Ken Levine said that BioShock's narrative was supposed to bear more than a little relation to adult entertainment.

Live blogging the Ken Levine Develop 2008 keynote (News)

Jul 30, 2008

VG247: Ken Levine's about to start his keynote speech at Develop 08 in Brighton. The talk's called "BioShock and Awe: Immersing the Gamer in an Alternate World Without Drowning Out the Gameplay. Trips off the tongue. We has internets and batteries, so we're coming to you live. After the break. Latest updates at the top.

Shack PSA: BioShock $15 on Steam this Weekend (News)

Jul 26, 2008

The PC edition of 2K Boston and 2K Australia's deep sea shooter BioShock (PC, PS3, 360) is now on sale at Valve's digital distribution platform Steam for $14.99.

PSU: Bioshock PS3 features better anti-aliasing (News)

Jul 23, 2008

PSU Writes:

According to Bioshock senior producer Melissa Miller, the PS3 version of Bioshock will only meet the same visual quality of that seen in Xbox 360 version.

"We're looking to match the quality of the original version," Miller commented. "We want to make sure that the water is just as great, and I think you can see from the demonstration, that it looks no different from the 360 version."

However one of our contributing editors, Dave Wales, got some hands-on time with the title at this year's E3, and he assured me otherwise.

"One of the very first things you'll notice within BioShock [PS3] is that all anti-aliasing issues are now gone. There were absolutely no edging issues or jaggedness to any portions of what was displayed on screen," said Wales. "I almost felt like I was staring at a redesigned title."

2K Games not improving BioShock visuals for PS3 version (News)

Jul 22, 2008

Some bad news for PS3 owners hoping for some improvements in the graphics department for upcoming shooter BioShock. Publisher 2K Games has confirmed to VideoGamer.com that it's concentrating on matching, not bettering the visuals seen in the Xbox 360 version.

BioShock shouldn't have worked - "No frigging way," says Damnation dev (News)

Jul 8, 2008

Eurogamer writes: "Damnation developer Blue Omega reckons there was "no frigging way" BioShock should have ended up being successful.

Game designer Jason Minkoff was comparing it to Damnation to illustrate that all you can do in the shooter genre is pour your heart into a project and hope it gets noticed.

"We're just making the best we can, because a good game is a good game. And if you make a good game, somebody is going to notice and somebody is going to play it," Jason Minkoff told Eurogamer on our trip to see Damnation."

The Most Gratuitous Headshots Video Ever (Feature)

Jul 3, 2008

Two minutes. One video. Fifty-five perforated skulls. ...

"BioShock should've failed," says dev (News)

Jun 24, 2008

BioShock lead programmer Chris Kline has said at a GDC session in Paris that the game should have been a failure. "In fact," he said, "it did fail a lot, over the course of time. A series of big mistakes and corrections and slipped ship dates, but all of these helped make it a good game." ...

Big Daddy gets the Spore treatment (News)

Jun 20, 2008

The Spore Creature Creator is used to create Big Daddys.

2K Games drops activation, install limits for BioShock PC (News)

Jun 20, 2008

Finally, 2K games taking hints over the recent Mass Effect PC securom scandal, has finally removed the activation and install limits for Bioshock PC. While you still have to activate the game online on your first installation you now don't have to worry about how many times you've installed it.

BioShock DRM is no more! (News)

Jun 19, 2008

2KGames informs us that the much-maligned SecuROM copy protection has been removed from BioShock. From the official 2Kgames.com forums:“Good news! As promised, all activation restrictions, including install limits, have been removed from BioShock PC as of today. You don’t have to patch or install anything for this to go into effect for your copy of BioShock – it’s already done!Enjoy your time in Rapture, and ...

Ken Levine re-negotiating contract with Take-Two (News)

Jun 17, 2008

Variety writes: "Have you been wondering why "Bioshock" creative guru and 2K Boston chief Ken Levine has been strangely absent from the press recently? Why "Bioshock 2" is being made at a separate studio and all Take-Two has said is that he "will be involved?" Why he wasn't available to talk on the record about the "Bioshock" movie? Why nobody knows what's up with him?

As several sources have confirmed for me, the answer is simple: Levine is re-negotiating his contract. Coming off the big commercial success (2.2 million units sold) and even bigger critical success of the game, Levine has become one of the very few recognizable and respected names in the videogame development community and he's trying to use that to get the creative freedom and compensation he feels he deserves. Take-Two, meanwhile, obviously wants to keep the guy on board, but is probably wary both of not spending too much money and also not setting a precedent that it will regret having to follow with the creative director of every successful game going forward."

BioShock movie to coincide with BioShock 3 (News)

Jun 6, 2008

No, it's not a mistake. Take-Two head honcho Strauss Zelnick has actually said that the Gore Verbinski-helmed BioShock movie will be released alongside number three in the series, not the currently-in-development sequel.

Zelnick mentioned the third game in an investor call related to the newly released Q2 financials (via Kotaku). "It's more likely that it would be released coincident with BioShock 3," he said.

We ...

Game names corrected by spell check (Feature)

Jun 5, 2008

You know that red line that pops up in Word, Firefox or any other program with a spell check? It's helpful, don't get us wrong, but they really should spend some time working on spell check's virtual intuition. When we typed "Firefox," just now while writing this article, the red line asked if we meant "firebox." Um no, we didn't. And that's what happens countless times every second across the world when people type in video game names - ...

Xbox 360 to Benefit from PlayStation 3 BioShock (News)

May 29, 2008

Spong Writes: "Well, it's confirmed - despite howls of derision from fanboys of another caste - PlayStation 3 owners will indeed be getting their hands on the critically acclaimed sub-aqua, scary little girl outing that is 2k Games' BioShock."

The coolest, funniest gaming images on the web (Feature)

May 25, 2008

If evidence were ever needed of how culturally important games are these days, it's in the world of art. Between painters, photographers, comic writers and sculptors, the internet is packed to bursting with artists paying tribute to gaming and putting their own spin on our favourite iconography. Here's some of the best stuff we've found. ...

More BioShock PS3 Details Emerge From EGM (News)

May 23, 2008

Did you hear? BioShock is coming to the PlayStation 3. We're totally 100% sure of it, because the announcement made not only the cover of PSM3 magazine, but local favorite EGM as well. BioShock is featured prominently-but not as prominently as Gears of War 2-in the mag's July issue and helps to explain why PSM3 said it's "better on PS3."

Take-Two: EA offer still "inadequate" (News)

May 19, 2008

Take-Two has responded to EA's extension of its offer, saying it's inadequate and contrary to the best interests of Take-Two's stockholders.

Strauss Zelnick, chairman of the board of Take-Two, said, "This is the same highly conditional proposal that EA offered Take-Two stockholders on March 13, 2008, which our Board of Directors thoroughly reviewed and unanimously determined to be inadequate and contrary to the best interests of ...

Bioshock animated series coming soon? (News)

May 18, 2008

Sarcastic Gamer received a tip along with exclusive video of the trailer and teaser trailer for the new Bioshock animated prequel. Will it focus on the creation of the Big Daddies? Will it focus on Andrew Ryan? Check out the videos for yourself.

BioShock movie announced (News)

May 9, 2008

Take-Two has entered a partnership with Universal Studios to make a BioShock movie, and Gore Verbinski has been tapped to direct it.

"I was hanging out a lot with Ken Levine talking about gaming in general and I heard from Ken directly that they were thinking about making a movie," Verbinski told Variety.

"Of all the games out there, I think 'BioShock' is the one that's the most engaging. I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong ...

Bioshock movie helmed by Pirates of the Caribbean director (News)

May 9, 2008

DarkZero: It has been revealed that Gore Verbinski has been signed to direct the film version of Bioshock. Verbinski recently directed all three of Pirates of the Caribbean films. Those films went then on to get eleven Oscar nominations between them, and ended up winning one.

"I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong story that's cleverly unveiled to players is just brimming with cinematic potential," said Verbinski. "Of all the games I've played, this is one that I felt has a really strong narrative."

VideoGamer.com Rumour mill - BioShock not coming to PS3, Online multiplayer in God of War 3 and more (News)

Apr 30, 2008

Welcome to the Rumour mill, VideoGamer.com's run-down of the big rumours currently doing the rounds in the video game industry. Every week we'll hunt down the juiciest stories and give our opinion on how legit they are. So, whether you want the ridiculous or the plausible, read on.

BioShock not coming to PS3

The Rumour: Contrary to popular belief, 2K Games' BioShock or its in-development sequel are not coming to the PlayStation 3. They will remain Xbox 360 and PC exclusive. This is due to Microsoft paying for exclusive rights and the extra effort required of a PS3 port.

Verdict: This one comes from rumour blogging legend Surfer Girl and goes directly against the Rumour from EGM that claimed the original game was heading to the PS3.

"BioShock is still not coming to PS3 nor is there plans for a PS3 version of its sequel," reads the blog.

Given BioShock's huge success on the Xbox 360 it's perfectly reasonable to expect Microsoft to want it to remain a platform exclusive. With so little known about the sequel, though, it's a little early to be saying it's a guaranteed exclusive.

Plausibility rating: 3/5

Bioshock Coming To PS3 This September? (News)

Apr 25, 2008

It's been long rumored that Bioshock would eventually make the leap from the Xbox 360 to the PS3. After all, 2K Boston's critically acclaimed title moved from the console to the PC, and a code snippet found in configuration files for that port last year listed PS3 settings. Now, according to the upcoming issue of EGM, the move to Sony's system could be coming this fall.

VideoGamer.com Rumour mill - Beyond Good & Evil 2 in development, Siren 3 announced, Prizerfighter to come on PS3 and more (News)

Apr 16, 2008

Videogamer writes: "Welcome to the Rumour mill, VideoGamer.com's run-down of the big rumours currently doing the rounds in the video game industry. Every week we'll hunt down the juiciest stories and give our opinion on how legit they are. So, whether you want the ridiculous or the plausible, read on.

Beyond Good & Evil 2 in development

The Rumour: Final Fantasy designer Yoshitaka Amano has joined Ubisoft and will be working on Beyond Good & Evil 2.

Verdict: It's a title fans have been crying out for and we'd certainly love to see a sequel, but Ubisoft hasn't so much as hinted that a sequel to its 2003 action adventure title is coming. Despite almost unanimous critical praise the game wasn't a commercial success and with so many blockbuster franchises in the Ubisoft locker it would be a risk to choose this over a new game in a franchise with a stronger fan base.

Plausibility rating: 2/5"

2K Marin Hiring for Bioshock 2, uses U.E. 3x. and PS3 Version Possible (News)

Apr 7, 2008

One of the biggest games of 2009 has already made quiet a buzz when it was officially announced a few months ago. BioShock 2 is the rumored prequel in the "BioShock" series and requires a lot of hard work and perseverance like any AAA game under construction in the secret labs of any developers.

Ken Levine Clears up the F****d up Story Thing (News)

Apr 3, 2008

2K Boston's Ken "She Looked 18 to Me" Levine sent in a clarification about his earlier comments regarding the plot has to be really f***ing stupid for people to keep up with it post.

"I talked about how the very basic plot of your game has to be very, very simple so people who are not inclined to care about your story can follow it. In BioShock it's

Act 1: Get to the sub

Act 2: Kill X

Act 3: Kill Y [edited out the names in case you haven't played it yet]

However, once people are attached to those primal threads, they can, IF THEY CHOOSE, go deeper."

Levine: Plot has to be really f***ing stupid (News)

Apr 2, 2008

BioShock big daddy Ken Levine has declared the importance of dumbing down videogame plotlines in order for people to get the picture. We're such thickies.

"If you want people to follow your plot, it has to be really f****** stupid", Levine says in the latest issue of PC Zone.

BioShock 2: Plot has to be really stupid (News)

Apr 2, 2008

BioShock big daddy Ken Levine has declared the importance of dumbing down videogame plotlines in order for people to get the picture. We're such thickies. "If you want people to follow your plot, it has to be really f****** stupid," Levine says in the latest issue of UK mag PC Zone. POTENTIAL SPOILER ALERT ...

BioShock to become a movie? Or an MMO? (News)

Mar 27, 2008

Take-Two sees both BioShock and Civilization as untapped opportunities in the online gaming market, according to a presentation given by Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick yesterday. Speaking at the Smid Cap Conference yesterday while we were tucked up in bed, Zelnick noted World of Warcraft's $1.1 billion revenue from last year and offered both games as potential opportunities to tap that market. He also detailed why company stockholders ...

Take-Two: 'BioShock' MMO And Movie Are 'Potential Opportunities' (News)

Mar 26, 2008

MTV Multiplayer writes: "Take-Two chairman Strauss Zelnick, speaking at the 2008 Smid Cap Conference today, is explaining why his company is rejecting EA's offer to purchase the company for $26/share. In the process, he is detailing Take-Two developers' past successes, current projects and future opportunities.

Gamers, let me direct you to slide 24 of Zelnick's presentation, "Potential Untapped Opportunities."

-Next to "MMOG/Online Gaming" we've got "Civilization" and "BioShock" listed under the column "Potential Take-Two Opportunities.

-Next to "Traditional Media (Film/DVD)" we've got "BioShock" as a "Potential Take-Two Opportunity."

59 levels to play before you die: A - D (Feature)

Mar 21, 2008

As you rebuild civilization and restore your people's faith in this sim/action hybrid, you'll find yourself honestly caring about your subjects' helpless lives. Nowhere is their plight more touching than Kasandora, where you help a starving desert tribe grow into a bustling village, only to see an old man die in the dunes. His last wish is for rain, which you grant. ...

Deal of the day: Bioshock now $29.99 via Steam (News)

Mar 11, 2008

The game that garnered Game of the Year attention from much of the gaming industry and gaming fans alike can now be had for an exceptional price of $29.95.

If you didn't take the time to enjoy this fantastic game when it first game out, do yourself a favor and take advantage of this deal now, and you don't even have to leave you house to do so.

Will BioShock 2 look like this? (News)

Mar 3, 2008

It's undoubtedly one of top three games of the last 12 months, so it's no surprise that everyone's praying for a sequel to 2K's excellent BioShock. You'll probably crop-dust your pants at the sight of these gorgeous concept shots then - but don't get too excited, they're just the work of a (talented) fan. The artwork was created by artist Ben Mauro as part of his Architecture course that concentrated on the scenes and environments, which ...

BioShock 2 concept art NOT the real thing (News)

Mar 2, 2008

TVGB writes: "The author behind these images just got back to me, saying these are not official BioShock concept drawings. In his own words: "It was for a class at Art Center, the assignment was to design a sequel for a videogame or film. So I picked one of my favorite games from last year.""

GamesRadar - BioShock

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