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BioShock gets an HD remake, sort of
When it launched almost seven years ago, BioShock was quite the looker thanks to its stylized aesthetic and the custom version of Unreal Engine 2 under its hood. The game has held up pretty well in terms of visuals (all that water!), but it's certainly starting to show its age. Don't get us wrong, we love the original. It's just that we wouldn't turn down a new version of the game running with all the bells and whistles that Epic's next-gen development tools offer, either. Well, as Kotaku has spotted, an enterprising indie dev has kindly done something along those lines.
Apple sued for renting HD videos to older iPhones
When it comes to digital up-selling in the iTunes store Apple's default of suggesting HD video when buying video content has landed the company in hot water. When you go to purchase a video in iTunes, the first option presented is the more expensive HD content, US$1 extra, even if you're using an iOS device that doesn't support HD. A Florida lawyer has filed a class action lawsuit against the company after he rented the more expensive HD copy of Adam Sandler's Big Daddy from the iTunes store in 2010, only to find the standard-definition version delivered to his non-HD device. To a degree, you can say "buyer beware" as users with older devices deal with the digital landscape moving to higher-resolution defaults. However when iTunes 8.0 was released in 2010, HD became the default option in the iTunes store, leading customers like the plaintiff in this suit to pay extra for a feature they couldn't use and weren't aware of. The complaint states: Despite the fact that Apple makes the HD version of the content offerings the default rental option, Apple failed to disclose to customers using SD Apple mobile devices that the device could not play the HD content being rented, and that the customer was needlessly paying the premium for the HD option. Apple has since added a disclaimer to the download process, but the case is seeking restitution for what is sees as unjust charges applied to devices Apple knew couldn't play the files. Given the popularity of the iPhone 3G, it's plausable to imagine large numbers of people accidentally downloaded HD content they couldn't get the most out of before Apple added the disclaimer. You can read the full complaint here. No word has been released about the lawyers' feelings about the film Big Daddy itself. Apple iTunes Lawsuit Over HD
Philosony: You can listen, but you can't HEAR Big Daddy
Thanks entirely to this recent second Christmas of a deal I finally picked up Bioshock and am giving it a play through. Now you, Inconstant Reader, probably expect me to launch into some pseudo-thought-provoking analysis of the moral conundrum involving the Little Sisters, or to give the reigns to my inner philosopher who wants to debate the pros and cons of a Randian worldview. Though it may take all the will I can muster, I shall refrain from doing so. You can find a plethora of views on these subjects out there on the interwebs without my adding to the cacophony. Instead I'm going to discuss what's interesting about coming to the game having already navigated said cacophony. No real spoilers, but some talk about what spoilers - like honey - don't spoil. Wrap your head around that one.
New Big Daddy figures are finally being received
We just received proof that 2K has kicked their shipping into high gear (it took them long enough) when it comes to getting the replacement BioShock Big Daddy figures to customers. X3F reader thw sent us the pic above saying that late yesterday he received his replacement Big Daddy figure. You'll also notice that 2K has made good on their promise to include a hardcover softcover copy of the "Breaking the Mold" artbook as well. Keep those eyes fixed on the mailbox today, tomorrow and all of next week, because we have a feeling a flood of Big Daddy figures will be making their way to BioShock owners soon. Oh, and if by chance your replacement Big Daddy arrives at your doorstep with a broken drill bit you MUST inform us. The irony of it all would be too much to pass up.[Thanks, thw]
Big Daddy VGA costume now on eBay
If you somehow missed Spike's Video Game Awards ... er, let's try that again. If you somehow watched Spike's Video Game Awards, then you no doubt saw Nathan Sharratt's impressive home-made Big Daddy costume. He was actually invited to the event by 2K Boston after his BioShock homage Halloween costume pictures got significant attention from these here intertubes. Anyway, Sharratt is selling his Big Daddy costume on eBay, may the capitalism commence!The bidding began at $999 and is how much the costume cost to make according to Sharratt. He says he's getting rid of Big Daddy because his apartment is the "size of a shoe box" and hopes someone out there will give the costume a "good, loving, nerdy home." We're kinda wondering why 2K Boston doesn't just buy the thing. The only thing missing from the BioShock launch party was a Big Daddy walking around. This way they'll have a costume all set for the BioShock 2 launch party (assuming the game takes place in Rapture).Update: Opening bid price was lowered to $799 this morning.
2K gives us a BioShock figurine replacement update
If you signed up for 2K Games' Big Daddy figurine replacement program, then listen up, because (unlike our mini-update) we have super concrete details straight from 2K regarding your replacement figure.In an email sent out to those who registered to get their broken Big Daddy fixed, 2K says that production of the figures took longer than expected and was the cause of the months and months of delays in the replacement program. But, good news is that "in order to speed things up, 2K Games is eliminating the step in which you are required to return the broken figurine". You read correctly, you'll be able to keep your already broken figurine AND get another not-so-broken one shipped to you. Nice move 2K, nice move. The email also confirms that, in the next two weeks, they'll be shipping out the replacement figurines and promised art book to those who signed up for the program before November 12th. 2K's update email can be read in its entirety after the break.[Thanks, dubbalubagis]
Replacement BioShock Big Daddies now shipping
We've been enjoying having our mini-Big Daddy stare down at us from his desk perch with those cold, dead eyes for two months since BioShock was released. But others have not been so lucky, having to make due with Daddies with broken drills, or, as they prefer, Drill Dysfunction.Now, according to 2K, replacements for the broken figures are finally heading out the door. "The BioShock figurine replacement program is nearing completion after some delays due to production of the replacement figurines," wrote 2K to some DD sufferers. Not only can they expect a new figure and the promised art book over the next couple of weeks, but (contrary to what they were previously told) they won't have to send in their old busted Daddy. That said, they may still want to turn him away from his new brother, just so he doesn't feel inadequate.[Thanks to all the Big Daddys and Little Sisters who let us know]
BioShock gets the Zero Punctuation treatment
Man, are we sick and tired of the cavalcade of praise being heaped on BioShock. "You will never look at a blah blah blah the same way again." "It's one of those monumental blah blah you'll never forget." OK, OK, we get it, the game's amazing. But surely it must have some flaws, right?Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw sure thinks so. He goes off on the game in his own inimitable web video style in the Escapist's latest Zero Punctuation feature. While Croshaw thinks that the game is overall pretty good, he points out some flaws that tend to get glossed over in the media lovefest. Among the major gripes: Familiarity -- While inspiration is one thing, Croshaw argues that BioShock "isn't like System Shock 2, it is System Shock 2" only "everything that was cyberpunk then is steampunk now." It's way too easy -- "You trip over ammo, money and medkits" and "dying is a momentary annoyance" with all the free vita-chambers strewn about. The moral choices aren't very interesting -- The controversial decision to save or harvest the creepy Little Sisters pretty much becomes a choice between "Mother Teresa or baby eating," with nothing in between. Despite all the bellyaching, Croshaw still admires BioShock for it's looks, writing, atmosphere and imagination, even going so far as to say it's "probably one of the best games of the year." Blah blah blah. Check out the video after the break.
Sign up to have your broken Big Daddy replaced
For those of you who've purchased the BioShock limited edition, opened it up and found your Big Daddy figurine in a broken state ... listen up.2K Games has just launched a website allowing broken Big Daddy owners to request a new replacement figurine. To register for a new Big Daddy, head on over to the BioShock Support page, fill in the information and soon you'll be shipped a box. One you receive the pre-paid box, place your broken figure inside, send it out and once they receive it they'll speedily ship you a copy of the BioShock art book "Breaking the Mold". When new figurines are available (it'll be a bit, because they had to manufacture new ones) they'll ship you a brand new Big Daddy for you to hold and love. It's easy as pie!True, you'll have to be separated from your Big Daddy figurine for a while, but you're gaining a new art book and a pristine figurine with all the shipping and handling paid for. Nice job 2K, we knew you cared about us.
Go visit a Big Daddy near you
If you want to touch one of those massive, huge and fanboyalicious Bioshock Big Daddy statues that we mentioned a few days ago then we've got a few places you can go to get your touch on. The Cult of Rapture posted the six locations in the US that the Big Daddy statues will be on display and you can almost guarantee that hardcore Bioshock fanboys will be making the trek. No matter how far or how daunting the trip to one of the six Gamestop/EB Games is, you can bet that certain fanboys will treat the trip as if they were headed to Mecca. Go fanboys, go get your picture with a Big Daddy at one (or all) six locations we've posted after the break. Your Bioshock fanboy'ness is at stake.
Now that's what we call a Big Daddy
Bioshock fans don't look above! We must warn you that the image you see above just might make you wet yourself. Okay, go ahead ... look. It's a giant Big Daddy statue (possibly life sized?), it is teh awesomeness and just by giving the photo a look over we know some Bioshock fanboys just wet themselves. The badass Big Daddy statues are being installed in certain retail outlets and the photos came from the flickr'ing skills of the gang over at technabob and we must say, we want one in our living room now. Right now. Okay Bioshock fanboys, put on a clean pair of pants and make the jump to see a few more photos of this big Big Daddy. And just to be safe, keep an extra pair of jeans nearby.[Thanks, O B M]
Finalized Big Daddy figure is oh so lovable
We've seen our good friend in his early stages before, but now The Cult of Rapture is showing off his final look. The Big Daddy figure, which will be included in the BioShock limited edition, stands six inches tall, is a sculpted wonder, and is beautifully painted. So beautifully painted that you can even see the blood splatter on his drill! And to be perfectly honest, we were expecting a tiny two inch tall Big Daddy mini-fig in the limited edition. But this six inch beast is more along the lines of total awesomeness. Pictures of the finalized Big Daddy figure have been lovingly placed in the gallery below for your viewing pleasure. So, is the extra $10 for the limited edition becoming well worth it?%Gallery-3501%
BioShock's Big Daddy box art unleashed
Fresh from the murky ocean depths, 2K Games just released the official box art for BioShock and what more can we say other than we're loving it! Anytime we see a Big Daddy, a Little Sister, or BioShock's lovely water our inner fanboy is instantly unleashed. And the cool thing is that the game's box art displays all three! Sweet huh? Take a look at BioShock's standard edition cover art after the break.[Via GamingTalkHQ]
First look at the Bioshock LE Big Daddy figurine
Last week The Cult of Rapture gave everyone a sneak peek at our favorite part of the Bioshock LE, the Big Daddy figurine. 2K Games kindly posted a few pictures of the figurine in its "work in progress" stage including the artist's clay sculpted figure and the first paint job. Indeed, that Big Daddy figurine has sweetness written all over it. Though, we have to be sure to remember that the paint job and scale of the figurine aren't finalized just yet, but The Cult of Rapture promises to show off the final version before the game ships. Go ahead, take a look at the picture gallery below and admire the Big Daddy figurine in all its glory. You'll be glad you did.%Gallery-3501%
Drill instructor! Meet BioShock's Big Daddy figurine
Potential purchasers of the limited edition BioShock box can look forward to more than just an award-winning design on the cover! Included in that release is a Big Daddy figurine, replete with oversized mitts, creepy diving suit and, oh yeah, A GIANT DRILL ARM!The above image is just a prototype -- they're still working on the final colors -- but already we're flashing back to that video of the epic struggle required to take one of these things down. Pick yours up August 21st, and proceed to hurl all manner of ammunition at it until it stops moving.%Gallery-3418%
Say hello to the Xboy's big daddy
Until Microsoft unveils its (rumored) contribution to mobile gaming, we'll have to settle for its (much bigger) daddy. Dave over at portablesystems.net has posted a bunch of photos from his portable Xbox hack which features a decent sized LCD, battery power and a surprisingly authentic green paint job. You've got to marvel at the effort that must have gone into this project, although you'll excuse us for being equally excited at the prospect of seeing the Xman's offspring.[Via Engadget]
