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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]
New Bioshock footage makes us happy
As part of last week's X-Play video game Summer Preview they received an exclusive look at Bioshock and got some new in-game footage. And what more can we say? Bioshock is fresh, unique, and one tempting Summer purchase. Hell, the water effects are worth the price of admission and we're not embarrassed to say that the electro-bolt plasmid makes us get all teary-eyed. Actually, our only reservation about the game is that there is no online co-op or multiplayer to speak of, but we're not sure if that really matters in the grand scheme of things. So, where does Bioshock fit on your video game purchase list?[Via Digg]
Bioshock contest picks coolest t-shirt in Rapture
Web 2.0 t-shirt darling, Threadless, sponsored a contest to design a shirt based on Irrational's upcoming underwater creep-out fest, Bioshock. Pictured above is "The Leftover," the winning design by Budi Satria Kwan, which was selected from over over 155 designs.Big Daddys: for $15 the shirt can be yours in a variety of sizes; Little Sisters: you need to pay extra for the girly tee. Don't like the winning submission? Really hoping "Drilled!" would have won? Cool down, you can work off that frustration come August.[Via X3F]
Threadless announces winning Bioshock tshirt
Today, Threadless revealed the winner of the Threadless Loves Bioshock tshirt design contest. And even though our Dead Sucker design didn't win, we think the winning design entitled The Leftover is very cool. It properly showcases the somber and disturbing Bioshock feel, but at the same time making it subtle and not so in your face. Support not only the designer (who got paid for the design), but promote Bioshock love across the land for only $15. Don't be cheap, buy one today!
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]
Who's your Big Daddy? BioShock Limited Edition deets
You wanted it, you asked for it, and even though they said you wouldn't get it, now you can: a BioShock Limited Edition for only ten bucks more than the regular version. What does that extra ten-spot score you? Well, we're glad you asked. Inside your embossed BioShock game case, featuring artwork from their cover art contest, will be: the requisite "making of" DVD the soundtrack CD a Big Daddy figurine Not bad for ten bucks. Although does anyone actually watch those "making of" DVDs for games? It's hard to remember if we ever watched the Halo 2 videos in our collector's edition tin. Hmm. The BioShock LE will be available in August, unless it gets pushed again, and will sell for $69.99 only at Gamestop and EB Games locations.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
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?
The Big Daddy lurks on Marketplace
Not too long ago, we featured a video that showcased just how difficult it is to take down a Big Daddy in BioShock. To put it bluntly, it's really effing hard. Seriously, the Big Daddy is set on fire, shot multiple times with a variety of guns, and hit with several grenades. All in all, killing the damned thing takes over 5 minutes. The video is now available on Marketplace, so you can watch it from the comfort of your couch on an HD display. Seeing it on a larger screen shows off lots of details that are harder to make out in a streaming video. Go download it and tell us what you think.In particular, do you think you have it in you to take out a Little Sister?
Three Speech retracts PS3 BioShock, but not other release dates
Three Speech, the "semi-official blog handled by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe," has retracted their claim that BioShock is coming to the PlayStation 3. The kerfuffle began when Steve Boxer, one of the only non-anonymous writers for the site, stated the PlayStation 3 would be getting the game. He wrote in a post about upcoming games, "Another hotly anticipated title from 2K Games (also appearing on Xbox 360) is BioShock." Of course, having this posted on Sony Europe's semi-official blog did bring the statements some weight. The post also stated September would see the releases of Killzone, Heavenly Sword, Ratchet & Clank, Lair and Warhawk. None of these release dates have been retracted, but Sony America says the only game with a confirmed date is Lair in July.It would be nice to finally get a statement on what Three Speech is to Sony. This is the second time in two weeks Three Speech has gone off-message. They state on their site, "Three Speech isn't part of PlayStation, but it does get to speak to PlayStation. You could say we're 'semi official'." Our requests to Three Speech for the name of their editor and a list of their writers have been ignored previously. We continue to question who Three Speech is and what they represent. If they are a handled by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, like Sony America says, it might be time to tug the leash.
Fan demand prompts BioShock collectors edition
Mark your calendars and take a picture for the grandkids: A video game petition has actually done something. An outpouring of support from fans of BioShock in an online petition has netted a promise of a collectors edition of the game for both the Xbox 360 and PC from publisher 2K Games.The effort picked up steam earlier in the week, when a 2K staffer noticed the petition requesting a collectors edition of BioShock, based on the fan community's love of the unreleased title's "exceptional story, atmosphere, AI and gameplay."Said staffer then wrote on the game's official site that higher-ups in the company told her that 5,000 signatures on the petition would convince them to release a (presumably pricier) collector's edition. A message appeared on the site the following day, saying that the goal had been reached in just 5.5 hours. Approximately 18,500 signatures appear on the petition currently. With the limited edition guaranteed, the fan community is now voting on exactly what they want that special package to contain. (As of now, "art print with team's signatures" is being beat out by "upgraded packaging," which has to be a blow to somebody's self esteem.)So, does this represent a new emphasis on letting fans more directly impact releases? Or is it possible that a limited edition was already in the works and the signing effort was a way to drum up publicity, or deflect any negativity from fans who view collector's editions as nothing more than a cash grab? If 18,000 fans are truly demanding to buy a collector's edition, the move seems to have been a success, no matter what the motives were.
We did it! Bioshock LE confirmed
Remember the people's Bioshock Limited Edition petition? You know, the one where 2K Games promised to create a LE if the online petition received 5,000 signatures? Well, the fruits of our labor have paid off, because 2K Games stuck to their word and officially announced a Bioshock LE! We have to say it, teamwork FTW! What's also nifty is that 2K Games is hosting an online poll to see what fans want included in this special LE. Do we want posters? How about a making of DVD? Or the mother of all sweetness, a big daddy figurine! You can check out the current poll tallies here. We did it guys, we got 2K Games to offer a Bioshock LE! Now we spend even more money on the game and fill their pockets with even more cash ... we rock!
5,000 sign petition, Bioshock CE possible
Bioshock fans are a vocal bunch and went as far as to demand 2K Games create a collector's edition for their underwater adventure. So, a fan created an online petition to rally support for a Bioshock CE and possibly ruffle a few of 2K Games' feathers in the process. The online petition didn't go unnoticed, because 2K Games posted a response on the Cult of Rapture website stating they'd create a collector's edition if the petition received 5,000 signatures. And we're proud to report that as of this posting the petition has just gone over the 5,000 signature mark! We still recommend signing the petition if your inner fanboy yearns for a Bioshock CE, because more signatures can only help. Now we just have to wait for Gamestop to put up a Bioshock CE preorder page. The ball is in your court 2K Games ... you did make a promise.
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?
BioShock medical pavillion open for business
GameTrailers has posted a new BioShock trailer. The trailer showcases Rapture's Medical Pavillion. Let's put it this way, you'd best hope you never get sick during your travels in BioShock. The Medical Pavillion is dark, dank, wet, and full of creatures that are not of sound mind.Every glimpse of BioShock gets us more excited to play it. August 21st can't come soon enough. Oh, and we completely missed that the Cult of Rapture announced the winner of its screenshot contest. For those who don't remember, the object of the contest was to come up with a solution for a deadly scenario in BioShock. You may view the video of the solution by following this link. Enjoy.
BioShock's Big Daddy as a work of art
BioShock's Big Daddies: awe inspiring, terrifying, and tough to take down, but what about art? A fan art thread has been created over at the Cult of Rapture, hosting some very impressive pieces of art. The above work was created by GH Illustrations and portrays a particularly mean looking Big Daddy trudging through the sea soaked halls of Rapture. Of course, if you prefer something a little more modern, they've got that covered, too. Head over to the Cult of Rapture for some more images and don't forget to visit the actual fan art thread. If you've got the skills, maybe you could submit something yourself. Be sure to let us know if you do.
Bioshock loves Threadless tshirt contest
If you aren't familiar with Threadless, let us give you a quick introduction. Threadless is a website where artists create tshirt designs, submit their work, then the community votes on their favorites. Every week the best of the best get printed on tshirts, are sold to the masses, and the artists get paid for their work. But they also run themed contests where artists have to create a design that reflects a certain idea, thought, or phrase. And look what we have here, a brand new contest featuring our baby Bioshock. The theme for the contest is "Descent into Rapture" and all designs have to reflect that phrase, but the contest only started on March 1st so both the submissions and quality are lacking. At the end of the contest the best submission will be printed and we'll get a Bioshock related tshirt! So far we love KDLIG's "Dead Sucker" submission, but are looking forward to what the amazingly talented folks over there have to offer. Be sure to check the entries page regularly and vote for the best design ... and it better be good!
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]
