bioshock 2
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BioShock's Big Sister now a small action figure
If you're salivating at the idea of owning your own BioShock action figures -- hopefully ones that aren't broken out of the box -- we don't blame you. GamerVision has posted some images of NECA's new BioShock action figure line and, to put it simply, they look great. The figures are not finalized, but they're already boasting plenty of detail.GamerVision reports that the figures will be shown at the San Diego Comic-Con this week, though their release has apparently been delayed in accordance with the delay of BioShock 2 itself. Perhaps that's for the best though. After all, we're not sure if we could get any work done with a Big Sister staring us down from atop the desk.Unless we had a Big Daddy to protect us, of course. Check him out after the break.
Levine: BioShock 2 needs 2K Marin's stamp
Though you may see characters and a world you recognize when you pop in BioShock 2 next year, don't expect to encounter that distinctive Ken Levine flavor, that Zest of Kenny L, if you will. "I make no claim to anything on BioShock 2, and I think it's important that that's their product, and their culture," Ken Levine told Gamasutra. "Because you can't just clone a studio. They're working on BioShock, but it's got to be their project. They've got to put their stamp on it."While we can't wait to see 2K Marin's stamp, we just hope it leaves room for Arkane Studios, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes' stamps too. Man, we'll be able to ship this thing to Jupiter with all the postage it'll be packing.
Take-Two stock takes punch after BioShock 2 delay
Shares of Take-Two Interactive took a hit overnight after the company announced BioShock 2's delay to the first half of 2010. After-hours trading saw the stock drop 13 percent. Today, during regular trading hours, the stock has hovered around a 10-percent loss.It's unlikely that a delay of Max Payne 3 or Mafia II would have caused investors to notice. GTA IV's DLC, The Ballad of Gay Tony, would have most certainly given the market agita if it had been delayed, but it still appears ready to come out all fabulous this fall.
BioShock 2 delayed to 'first half' of 2010 [update]
In a move that's not all too surprising, Take-Two has announced that BioShock 2 has been delayed until fiscal 2010. The game, which was originally scheduled for an early November release, is being delayed to "provide additional development time for the title." While Take-Two's next fiscal year begins in November, the lack of a specific timeframe for release suggests this delay will be quite significant. Update: Take-Two clarified at its press conference that BioShock 2 is now planned for release in the "first half" of 2010.Perhaps the late addition of yet another developer to BioShock 2 should have acted as an early indicator of the delay. Take-Two's Chairman Strauss Zelnick publicly apologized about the setback in a press release: "We recognize that our revised outlook for the balance of fiscal year 2009, due to both internal and external factors, is a disappointment. That said, we concluded that moving the release of BioShock 2 into fiscal year 2010 was the right decision for the product."Take-Two's investors are unlikely to respond to this news positively, considering the company's sparse presence this holiday season. With Take-Two's most anticipated titles -- Mafia II, Max Payne 3 and now BioShock 2 -- all appearing in fiscal 2010, the company will have little to rely on to bolster its current year results. Zelnick reiterated that "we remain confident in the long term potential for Take-Two's business, and our ability to capitalize on that potential through our exceptional creative talent and solid balance sheet."
BioShock 2 given another helping hand in Arkane Studios
Have you heard the one about BioShock 2? You know: "How many devs does it take to screw up a BioShock sequel?" We haven't come up with the punch line yet, but 2K Games seems to be increasing the odds of something going wrong for BioShock 2 by adding a fourth studio to the company crowd of developers. Lyon-based Arkane Studios joins lead developer 2K Marin (in California), its collaborator 2K Australia (we repeat: Australia), and multiplayer specialist Digital Extremes (headquartered in Ontario) in a cast that's starting to look like a "We Are the World" tribute to the late Mr. Jackson. We know, we know: outsourcing and globalization are just signs of business as usual these days, but when you've got this many cooks in the kitchen, development could easily flip a wrong page to the recipe for disaster."Arkane is assisting in the creation of levels that embody the aesthetic and gameplay ideals that make BioShock such a unique and exciting experience," 2K Marin's Alyssa Finley explained, according to Develop. Oh, well, that's a relief. And here we were worried the plan was to recycle unused assets from the first game.%Gallery-50342%
See the prototype Big Daddy prototypes from BioShock 2
As you're no doubt aware, you'll be playing as the very first Big Daddy in 2K Marin's upcoming BioShock 2. If you're craving a bit more insight into just how said Big Daddy came to be, 2K's just dropped some concept art showing the development of the hulking bruiser.The final product looks cool, but are we the only ones that would have totally dug this armored Terminator Big Daddy? Just us? Fair enough.[Via GameSetWatch]
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Impressions: Bioshock 2 multiplayer
We're sure the lot of you would rather hear about the intricacies of the single player campaign of BioShock 2 that we divined from our time with the game at E3 -- unfortunately, 2K wasn't keen on sharing any new details about the story of the core game. What we did get a chance to see was the multiplayer portion of the undersea follow-up -- a feature that we've yet to hear much about before today.Watching the six-player deathmatch BioShock 2 demo was kind of like watching your beloved family dog sing opera. Mind you, this dog sang opera really well, but still, watching your canine companion sing is a somewhat unsettling experience. For some reason, it's ingrained in our minds that BioShock is meant to be experienced on ones lonesome. When you strip the rich story away from the game and toss in multiplayer elements, you end up with a product that, despite its strengths, seems a bit out of its element.
BioShock 2: Simultaneous release on Xbox 360, PS3 & PC [update]
We've been waiting on platform confirmation for 2K's upcoming BioShock 2 for some time now, and now we finally know which systems the title will release for. VG247 confirmed with 2K that the game will release "on PS3, 360 and PC on 30th October, just for the record." It should be noted that October 30 is the European release date for the game, and that it's already been confirmed for a November 3 release in North America.With the game releasing on multiple platforms on day one, it means that PS3 enthusiasts won't miss out on the fun due to timed exclusivity this go round. Update: We contacted 2K to clarify the statements that VG247 received, and it confirmed that a simultaneous Xbox 360, PS3 and PC release would occur in North America as well. Huzzah!
Analyst casts doubt on BioShock 2, GTAIV DLC release dates
According to Gamasutra, Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey isn't buying the release dates Take Two is selling. Hickey has "concerns" about the announced release date for BioShock 2 -- October 30 in Europe and November 3 in North America -- "given the unannounced platforms and expected last-day-of-quarter release." We're not psychics or anything, but we get the feeling that the platforms just might be announced at E3.Concerning the upcoming GTAIV expansion The Ballad of Gay Tony, Hickey is even less optimistic, saying it might not release until late 2010 or possibly even 2011, though he states that a fiscal 2010 release "seems probable." Quite a statement considering how heavily the DLC and GTA: Episodes from Liberty City factor into Take Two's plans for the rest of 2009.Furthermore, Hickey resurrects the ghost of the EA buyout of Take Two, stating that the company is a "viable acquisition candidate" thanks to the fact that it has "some of the strongest video game development talent and IP in the world." Gamasutra adds that acquisition by another company is more feasible this year, as Take Two stock is trading for significantly less that it was at its highest point last year.
BioShock 2 dated Oct. 30 in Europe, Nov. 3 in North America
During Take-Two's second quarter financial conference call, CEO Ben Feder announced that BioShock 2 will release in Europe on Friday, October 30, while North American gamers will be returning to Rapture on Tuesday, November 3. It's worth noting that Take Two still lists the game's platforms as "TBA." Given that the previous title was released for Xbox 360, PC and (eventually) PS3, and that Take-Two enjoys making money, it's likely the game will again hit all three high-definition platforms. There is still the question as to the order in which the game will hit those platforms, though, and with E3 looming, a timed-exclusivity announcement may be in the offing.%Gallery-50342%
BioShock 2 lets you shut off the Vita Chambers, die
Any masochists in the room? Don't be shy, go ahead and raise your self-battered hands. We've got great news for these deviant individuals -- in a recent interview with CVG, 2K Marin executive producer Alyssa Finley explained that the original BioShock's easily exploitable respawn points, Vita Chambers, can be turned off in BioShock 2, allowing the player to die without the luxury of a self-cloning safety net.It was an option that last year's BioShock DLC (as well as the PS3 version of the game) afforded to its more hardcore players. And by "hardcore," we mean "absolutely insane." Seriously, during our first jaunt through Rapture, we died more times than Bill Murray did in Groundhog Day.
BioShock 2's Big Daddy revealed on GamePro cover
GamePro is promising that its upcoming July issue will blow the doors off of the sequel to 2K's undersea shooter, BioShock. Of course, by the time it hits newsstands, you'll probably be full to the gills with all the the BioShock 2 details you can handle -- we're sure to hear a ton about the game during E3.Fortunately, GamePro recently offered a delicious morsel to its potential readers, uploading the Big Daddy-infused cover of the upcoming issue to the mag's online edition. You can check out the full cover -- and the design for BioShock 2's diving suit-wearing protagonist -- after the break. As a point of reference, here's the original Big Daddy. And here's a poster for the hilarious, heartfelt Adam Sandler comedy Big Daddy. And here's professional wrestler Big Daddy V! Wait, we forgot what we were doing ...[Thanks, Storm Eagle!]
These ten minutes of BioShock 2 footage look awfully familiar
Though we already caught a snippet of the gameplay offered in the video you see above, why not watch a much longer, smoothly narrated version of some BioShock 2 footage? What's that? You say you don't want to ruin the game for yourself by watching the same vertical slice demo too many times? While we can appreciate the hard-line stance you've taken, dearest reader, we highly suggest checking this clip out -- if only for the deep sea exploration and tactical combat. Sure, the underwater paths look a bit linear and the Little Sister's dialogue digs into our mind grapes like so many clog-footed wine makers, but hey, we've wanted flamethrower hands since we can remember. Is that so wrong?Download HD BioShock 2 'Hunting the Big Sister' Gameplay Video (244 MB)%Gallery-50342%
Take-Two details BioShock 2 multiplayer
From the "be careful what you wish for" file, we've got the first details on the BioShock 2 multiplayer you all wanted so very much after the first game. You'll play as a Plasmid test subject working for Sinclair Solutions during the fall of Rapture as you battle other players in re-worked game locales like Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites.Victory over your opponents will yield experience that you can spend on new Plasmids, weapons and tonics. If you can take it, you can read all about the mode right here. The mode's being developed by Digital Extremes, which you likely remember for its work on Dark Sector. ... Hey, why do you all look so depressed? What? Us? No, we're not crying. Why would you *sniff* think that?
2K Marin says Rapture is key to BioShock, promises more characters
We weren't positive we wanted the first return to Rapture in BioShock 2, but it apparently wasn't a tough decision to keep the series underwater. In an interview with OXM, 2K Marin creative director Jordan Thomas said, "We feel that Rapture is so core to BioShock it has to feature in some form. It's one of the characters we don't want to let go."OK, fair enough. But Thomas went on to undermine our confidence, saying, "With BioShock 2 we're actually going to make sure that you have some strong and unforgettable encounters with unspliced characters that you can develop genuine empathy for, who will not be trying to hide their face from the camera."You know the problem with BioShock? ... Too isolated. We can't wait to meet Loony Lou, Rapture's top comedian. "What's that, Lou? You know the secret combination to get into Laugh-a-porium's cafeteria? But you want to come along and be my hilarious sidekick? Deal."[Via CVG]
Joystiq interview: BioShock 2
As much as the developers of BioShock 2 at 2K Marin were eager to show us their game in action, they were (quite pleasantly) even more eager to talk about it. Following the conclusion of our demo walkthrough, lead designer Zak McClendon, lead environment artist Hogarth De La Plante and lead level designer JP LeBreton opened the floor to questions from the half-dozen game journos in attendance. Read on after the break for the team's take on revisiting the first game's mysteries, the intricacies of plasmid mixing, the return of Vita-Chambers and more.
Joystiq impressions: BioShock 2
Click to Big Daddy-size How do you follow up what's indisputably one of the best games produced this generation? In the case of the BioShock 2 team at 2K Marin (and its collaborators at 2K Australia), the answer seems to be, "You don't change much." Having absorbed every possible bit of info on the game going into our first walkthrough of it, we felt like we knew what to expect; and, more or less, we got it.In an all-too-brief demo that lasted maybe 12-15 minutes, we were taken on a guided tour of a level designed especially for this meeting to A) show off a variety of new elements and B) completely thwart any attempts at learning more about the plot. We were a little saddened by the latter, since in a sequel that seems very similar to the original in many visual and gameplay respects, it's really going to be the narrative that defines the experience.%Gallery-50342%
German site unloads BioShock 2 screens
A German site has gone ahead and posted a multitude of images from BioShock 2. Oh, should we attempt the pretense? Fine, a German site has posted images that are allegedly BioShock 2.You know, with the numerous embargo times across this little blue planet about BioShock 2, we have no idea when these images were actually supposed to release. What we can tell you is that "all assets, impressions and video" for North America should be ready to go at 12:01AM Pacific, Thursday, April 23. So, who knows, we might have something similar then.
Gamespot floods us with Bioshock 2 details, spoilers
Before reading on, we beg of you, our dearest readers, to heed this solemn warning. Do you remember that magical feeling that filled you the first time you crossed the aquatic threshold into Bioshock's labyrinthian metropolis, Rapture? That warm, gooey feeling of excitement and wonder? If you read Gamespot's recent all-inclusive, spoiler-filled preview of 2K Marin's highly anticipated follow-up, you'll probably be robbed of that feeling the first time you boot up Bioshock 2. Trust us. We made the sacrifice to pass this news onto you, and we're pretty sure we won't be able to get to sleep tonight.If you absolutely must know what tantalizing details Gamespot dug up, you can check out their video featurette, which we've posted after the jump. Just don't come crying to us when you learn that the original Bioshock was actually just a dream sequence. (Oops! Sorry!)
