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OnLive's all-you-can-eat PlayPack now available for $9.99 per month
OnLive, meet subscription services. It's not the January 15th date we had initially marked, but that's no matter now, the time has come. The company has introduced PlayPack, which for $9.99 each month gets you unlimited access to a selection of titles. There's no long-term commitment required and your saved games will stay on servers for at least a year after cancellation, should you change your mind and decide to come back. There's 38 games to choose from at first, including BioShock, Prince of Persia, and Alien Shooter, with more titles promised "on a regular basis." The previous plans -- free demos, multi-day rentals, and purchases à la carte -- are also still around. It's not inaccurate to think of this as early-day Netflix Instant Watch, but drawing from the same analogy, it's gonna take an ever-expanding library of strong titles (both big and small) to keep the momentum going. And make no mistake, we're really rooting for ya. Press release and list of titles after the break.
Video: BioShock 360 vs. BioShock PS3 look similar
Seeing that it has been quite a while since we've posted one of these little gems, here, for your viewing pleasure, is a video comparing the look of BioShock on the Xbox 360 versus BioShock on the Playstation 3. Press play, watch, analyze and we'll wait ...Okay, by now your video watching should be complete, (achievement unlocked audio sample goes here) and hopefully you noticed that the games are nearly identical. How fun! You should have also realized that you wasted a good three minutes of your day squinting at your computer screen trying your damnedest to spot a pixel differences between the two. Don't feel bad though, because we did the same. It's just something that's in our fanboy genes that makes us do it.
BioShock will splash onto the PS3 [update 2]
Update 2: Okay, we admit it ... it's true. BioShock is headed to the PS3.Update: This rumor is beginning to be more factual then not, with news that next month's EGM will also be revealing the PS3 version of BioShock. And it's reportedly scheduled to release around Christmas '08. Interesting ... A warning to 360 fanboys who pride themselves on being selfish and protective over their 360 exclusive titles. We have rumor news that will not sit well with you.CVG is reporting that next month's issue of UK PSM3 promises an in-depth look at (deep breath kids) BioShock for the PS3. ZOMG! Shocker! According to early magazine reports, the PS3 version of BioShock is said to be superior to the currently Xbox 360 exclusive version, packed with all previously released DLC and improved visuals. While you wipe your selfish fanboys tears, take comfort that this news is still firmly planted in the rumor garden and know that even if it does turn out to be true, you being the 360 fanboy that you already experienced the world of Rapture last year. Now, buck up.[Via PS3 Fanboy, Thanks xenocidic]
Bid on Ken Levine autographed copy of BioShock
Feeling charitable yet you still want to receive something tangible for your tax write-off'able donation? Then how about bidding on a Ken Levine autographed copy of BioShock (the Xbox 360 version, of course) which is currently on the auction block over at eBay by the folks at Game Giving. A non-profit organization who donates all auction proceeds to various charities that help children worldwide. You have nine days to bid on this piece of Ken Levine, BioShock, 2K Games history, so get to it! Heck, if BioShock doesn't float your boat (no pun intended), then we advise focusing your bidding efforts on Game Giving's Rock Band bundle. Just stay far, far away from Eragon ...
BioShock Achievement list raptured
The Achievements for BioShock have become available for you to scrutinize and it has some standard level completions and researching tasks found within. Fortunately, the art style of the Achievements maintain their retro-50's style feel, and the names are amusing. Interestingly, there's an achievement for not harvesting any Little Sisters, as well as one for interacting with all of them. We may not be the betting types, but there's a chance that 100 Gamerscore secret Achievement maybe be the yang to the Little Sister Savior's Yin, requiring you to Harvest to your heart's content. We'll have to wait and see after the game's release.[Thanks, Jonah]
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%
1UP details first few hours of BioShock
1UP received some hands on time with BioShock and aren't afraid to spoil the first few hours of gameplay. Their BioShock preview article is more or less a recap of the gameplay and events of their play session. So, if you don't like spoilers, stay away from this BioShock "preview". But we'll sum up their overall impressions. 1UP feels BioShock is more of a shooter than anything else with solid controls and a great atmosphere all rolled up into a very fun free roam adventure. The encounters are memorable, the look is unmistakable, and they really enjoyed their time with the game (end summation). They also posted a few new screenshots of their underwater adventure, so be sure to check those out. And yes, we're just as excited to take down a Big Daddy ... we can't wait.[Via Game Stooge]
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]
A closer look at BioShock's Little Sisters
Despite the many menacing characters found in BioShock, not the least of which is the Big Daddy, the creepiest character revealed so far is undoubtedly the Little Sister. These little "girls" run around the underwater world of Rapture collecting something called Adam from the dead (note the large syringe in the image at right. The player can decide to save these "children" or to harvest them, as the Adam they carry is useful to the player. In the latest BioShock podcast, Ken Levine, creative director of Irrational Games, discusses the moral conflict that the developers have created in the Little Sister character.The whole podcast is just shy of 20 minutes, and is exclusively about the Little Sister. Given the appearance and demeanor of the Little Sister character, the moral choice presented by her is likely to become a touchy subject, and the podcast attempts to clear the air about it. Levine discusses the challenges of creating such a character (originally designed as an insect) and forcing the player to make a moral choice about it. Among the juicier bits of info revealed in the podcast is the fact that players cannot physically harm the Little Sister. Little Sisters can be "harvested," but cannot be harmed by weapons or powers that the player possesses. It is made clear that harvesting will result in the death of a Little Sister, though Levine doesn't discuss specific details. The podcast is definitely worth a listen. If you've got the time to spare, we suggest you check it out.
Joystiq interviews BioShock LE cover artist Adam Meyer
Impressed by the winning entry in 2K Games' BioShock Limited Edition cover art contest, we had a chat via online messenger with the winning artist Adam Meyer about his design and the process he took to get there, as well as a bit on his background.First of all, thanks again for doing those. Tell us a little bit about yourself.Well, I'm 27 I think, I live in the Orlando area with my beautiful wife. And I own my own freelance design business called Crystal Clear Art.How did you get involved with graphic design?I've always been interested in art. And once I graduated high school it became clear that if I wanted to make a career out of art, it was best to get into graphic design over the more traditional stuff. I went to community college but dropped out in favor of just getting right into the field. I got my first design job doing layout work for a small little print company and basically learned what I could from it and the left. I kept repeating this pattern for about 8 years. I'd work someplace, learn everything I could, then quit and find someplace that could teach me new things.After I worked my way up to art director at a local design company I decided it was time to get out on my own. And here I am.%Gallery-3343%
BioShock cover art contest winners
A hearty congratulations to Adam Meyer, winner of the 2K Games' BioShock cover art contest. His entry, shown above, will be used for the cover of the limited edition release. In addition, Meyer will receive and "all-expense paid trip to the BioShock Launch Party in August" as well as a copy of BioShock LE for both Xbox 360 and PC.We're impressed by all the entries 2K has revealed (12 in all), possibly more so than the previous BioShock t-shirt contest. You can get your own physical copy of Meyer's design in August for the Limited Edition standard of $70.%Gallery-3300%[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Bioshock LE cover art design announced
Over on Bioshock's Cult of Rapture website they've wrapped up and announced the winning design for the Bioshock LE cover art contest. And out of over 150 entries, Adam Meyer's design (as seen to the right) came out victorious and will be etched onto the Bioshock LE metal cover for all to see. Adam will also cash in on the sweet reward, getting not only free copies of Bioshock, but also receiving an all expense paid trip to Bioshock's launch party. Congrats to you Adam, but about you choosing a friend to take with you on your trip. You know how to contact us, we're available anytime in August ... just give us a date.[Via Gaming Bits]
Bioshock's water is b-e-a-utiful
Bioshock is going to be full of water. Water on the floor, water coming through the walls, water outside the windows, and water in your face. There's a whole bunch of water. And the fine folks at Irrational Games knew they needed to put extra care into making it look perfect. And so, over at the Cult of Rapture website they posted a tech demo of all the water you'll be encountering in Bioshock. Yes, water can be cool to look at and entertaining ... if done right. Now we just need our bubbly soap and a rubber ducky and we'll be golden.[Via 1P Start]
Official details on the Bioshock LE
After getting 2K Games to create a limited edition version of Bioshock, fans then got a chance to vote on what they wanted in their precious LE. And after tallying up all the votes 2K Games just announced the LE specifics. The Bioshock LE will be available the same day as the regular edition (August 21st), sport an embossed case featuring the artwork of the cover art contest winner, and retail for $69.99. The LE will also include a "Making of" DVD, soundtrack CD, and a not so adorable Big Daddy figurine. It's also interesting to note that the Bioshock LE will be exclusively available at Gamestop and EB Games in the US and Canada with European details to come.We're quite impressed with Bioshock's LE offerings, as we haven't seen a LE come this jam-packed with additional content for some time. Do you think all the extra goodies are worth $10 or will you be sticking to the regular edition?
You're hired! Design Bioshock LE box art
Since it was the people who demanded a Bioshock LE it's only fitting that the people design its box art. From now until May 2nd, 2K Games is asking artistic fans to send in what they think the box art for the Bioshock LE should look like. Yup, they want you to create the box art! If you're the artsy type, be sure to check out all the details after the break. And remember that the designs should be pretty basic and clean (like the example above), because they'll be etching it onto the LE's casing. So, no need to include the Bioshock logo, Xbox 360 junk, or barcode. Oh yeah, the person who submits the winning design will not only see their artwork on the LE, but also get a few copies of the game for free and be flown from anywhere in the world to the Bioshock launch party in August. How can you not love that?
2K Games forbids BioShock dev to talk about System Shock
In what is most certainly a misunderstanding spawned from the ignorance of gaming executives, 2K Games has forbade Irrational Games' co-founder and lead designer Ken Levine from talking about his former System Shock games while on a press tour for the upcoming BioShock. The bizarre incident came to light after 1UP's Jeremy Parish tried to interview Levine about his old franchise for an upcoming Retronauts feature. Parish, understandably peeved, explained the situation in his 1UP blog.We would understand if one publisher wishes that their pseudo-employees (2K Irrational Games' publisher) not promote titles owned competitors (in this case, Electronic Arts). However, the System Shock games are well over a decade old, out of print and -- if you could not guess from the cleverly-disguised new title -- directly related to BioShock. It's, in Parish's words, "precisely this kind of insular, close-minded nonsense that makes the games industry look so utterly juvenile next to other media." We are reminded of Epic Games' recent bout of ridiculousness when they issued a cease-and-desist to a fan who made a Gears of War doll as a Christmas present for a cousin.2K's lawyers are probably on autopilot, issuing this dare we say irrational order without thinking. After all, they've got much more severe problems to worry over; parent company Take Two's shareholder massacre meeting is tomorrow. Then again, if 2K Games were to take a more active role in the titles they publish, maybe that would coincide with a corporate philosophy more pleasing to their financial backers.In other news, both Sega and Nintendo have forbidden their employees from talking about half of their upcoming Olympic Games title, respectively, due to its relation to the other company. We're just kidding, but wouldn't that be absolutely ridiculous?
Video: BioShock; Big Daddy; Big Game
GameTrailers has a very interesting BioShock video of going on the prowl for the game's Big Daddies. Melissa Miller, 2K Games' Content Producer brings us the walkthrough and gives us the rundown of what we'll be seeing. It showcases security hacking, and the teleportation, enrage, telekinesis plasmids. While there is a "Work In Progress" watermark at the bottom, it still looks very nice and sets the atmosphere with the ambient music and constant sound of water flow. Rather than spoil it for you, we'll let you see for yourself. So, can you take on a Big Daddy?[Via Xbox Way]
Time to get wet, Bioshock gets official release date
Bioshock fans can pull out their Sharpies and mark their calendars, because 2K Games just announced the official release date. Everyone will be jumping head first and getting wet on Bioshock's official release Tuesday, August 21. This of course contradicts previous reports that stated Bioshock would hit the streets this June, but who are we to say that the game didn't get delayed into August. No more rumors, no more guessing, Bioshock will be here in less than six months.[Thanks, AoE]
Live in NYC? Playtest Bioshock and get paid
If you live in the New York City area and are interested in getting your hands on Bioshock before its release, then we have an opportunity for you. 2K Games sent out an invite for applications to playtest Bioshock this week in NYC. You will get paid roughly $10 an hour, get to play for three hours a day, and will be envied by all your friends and enemies. Just fill out the application after the break and email it to the address on the bottom. This is the time where we envy all of you who live in the NYC area ... lucky fellas.[Via Joystiq]
