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Take-Two loses legal fight over BioShock.com
Take-Two: Would you kindly give us Bioshock.com? Name Administration: ... Umm, no. We're a domain squatter in the Cayman Islands, not giving companies domains is kind of what we do. Take-Two: Oh, WIPO? Would you kindly tell them to give us back Bioshock.com? World Intellectual Property Organisation: Well, we talked about it, and ... no. For starters, they registered it before you got any trademarks on the "BioShock" name. Besides, that phrase could apply to other stuff besides your game. Take-Two: Alright then, would you kindl-- Name Administration: Look, just stop it, OK? You've been saying "would you kindly" every 20 seconds during this hearing and frankly, it's starting to creep us out. And why is it whenever you say it you have to ... oh, what would you call it, WIPO? WIPO: Glowering. You're glowering. Name Administration: Yes! You're glowering, and it's weird. And while we're at it, what's up with the golf club?
Ken Levine keeping mum on BioShock Universe continuity
For those who've been wondering how the recently announced BioShock Infinite's universe relates (if at all) to the original BioShock ... well, it would seem that answer isn't coming anytime soon. Irrational Studios' big daddy, Ken Levine, told Joystiq at Gamescom today, "You can see from the gameplay perspective connections between the games, how it's a BioShock game. I think we'll learn over time about what and if the other connections are. But it's really important to me that the same way if I had talked to people about 'would you kindly' or anything like that ahead of time, it would have taken away a lot of the experience. We want to protect the experience." When we politely pointed out that he had avoided answering the question on whether the game is set in the same universe, he simply reiterated, "We want to protect the experience." He did eventually note regarding criticisms of the game's name: "More will be understood in time. The name will become far less mysterious once you finish the game." Yeah, great -- that's two agonizing years from now!
Ken Levine explains why BioShock Infinite isn't photorealistic
There's a lot to process in the debut trailer and screens for BioShock Infinite, not the least of which is the look of the characters, which have a slightly exaggerated look to them. In a discussion with Gamers With Jobs on their 200th podcast, Irrational Games boss Ken Levine explained. "A movie uses photorealism quite often because it's free. We don't get a cost benefit for being photorealistic, it's the same reason Pixar's not photorealistic, you just end up creepy," he said. "There's no need to be photorealistic and I think it's kind of a cop out. I'd much rather play a game that's stylized." Or maybe by 2012, we'll all look like Pixar characters and that will be the new photorealism. See, it's hard to say, because that's so long from now.
Gears of War, Max Payne and Bioshock added to GFWL Games on Demand
Better late than never, right? Gears of War ($20), Bioshock ($20) and Max Payne ($10) have been added to Games for Windows Live's Games on Demand service. [Thanks, TheWeaponeer]
Verbinski and co. trying to trim BioShock movie budget
Speaking of BioShock, the Gore Verbinski-produced film adaptation of the game is apparently still in the works, despite being halted for budgetary concerns more than a year ago. IGN got word straight from Verbinski: "The problem with BioShock was: R-rated movie, underwater, horror. It's a really expensive R-rated movie. So we're trying to figure out a way working with [director] Juan Carlos [Fresnadillo] to get the budget down and still keep so it's true to the core audience, you know? The thing is it has to be R, a hard R." So we now know three things: (1) nobody's going to spend a lot of money to make that, (2) it sounds like it would be really awesome if they did and (3) seriously, nobody's going to spend a lot of money to make that. ... But, again -- would be awesome.
BioShock 2 on sale for $30 on Amazon today
There are plenty of ways to get to Rapture: You could survive a plane crash in the middle of an ocean; or be abducted by one of its citizens as a child. Heck, if you're a really good swimmer and can hold your breath for a long time, you probably have a decent shot. We're in favor of a safer, more practical alternative: Buy a copy of Bioshock 2. We're also in favor of the most frugal alternative: Amazon's Deal of the Day. Bioshock 2 is half-off today from the online retailer, available for $30 on the Xbox 360 and PS3 -- and the PC version is even cheaper: $26. Now, there's our idea of the perfect summer vacation: babysitting our little sister.
BioShock 2 Metro Pack DLC coming to PC tomorrow
The expansive (and somewhat irreverent) "Metro Pack" DLC for the multiplayer portion of BioShock 2 will be available for the PC version of the game tomorrow. The pack includes six new maps, three new Achievements and a "Rebirth" feature which lets level 50 players restart their careers, and will be available on the Games for Windows Live Marketplace for 800 ($10). Players can also grab two new multiplayer characters for 160 ($2), and all players can grab the (sigh) golf clubs-only "Kill'Em Kindly" deathmatch mode for free. Of course, this expansion caused a handful of game-crashing issues for folks who purchased it on 360 and PS3 two weeks ago. Not to worry -- a patch for the game is also set to go live tomorrow, which we hope will preempt these issues. [Via Big Download]
Irrational releases the original BioShock pitch document
Every once in a while, our very plane of existence will be split into two by a major decision affecting the course of history, creating what scientists refer to as a "parallel universe." Less frequently, a window will open up which lets us catch a quick glimpse into the world of what might have been. Irrational Games threw open just such a window yesterday by releasing the pitch document for BioShock, which was planned to be a very different monster from the game we all know and love. Specifically, a sea monster. Some things in the document stayed true -- genetic modification was a major aspect of the pitch. Most of it ... well, let's just say we're glad things changed the way they did. We're not sure the story of Carlos Cuello, who must infiltrate a remote island run by cultists to rescue a wealthy heiress, would be quite so memorable. Also, those aforementioned genetic modifications give you traits of different sea creatures instead of regular ol' superpowers. Also, there was supposed to be multiplayer. Multiplayer! In BioShock! Have you ever heard of anything so preposterous?
BioShock 2 'Metro Pack' DLC re-dated May 11
2K has announced that the erroneously dated BioShock 2 Metro Pack DLC now has an actual release date: Tuesday, May 11. The Metro Pack adds six maps to the multiplayer mode and will be available on PSN and Xbox Live for $10. 2K is also releasing some additional DLC alongside the Metro Pack. First up is a $2 character pack, which adds two new characters to multiplayer. In addition, players can also grab the free download for "Kill'Em'Kindly," a new multiplayer mode that has players "fight to the death with golf clubs." That disturbing, guttural sound you just heard was the collective "ugh" of everyone who has ever played the original BioShock.
BioShock 2 multiplayer patch coming soon to all platforms
Are you sick and tired of all the freezing and crashing going on while you're freezing and smashing opponents in BioShock 2 multiplayer? We can't say that we blame you. Fortunately, 2K is rolling out patches for the all three -- Xbox 360, PS3 and PC -- versions of the game that should alleviate connectivity issues, as well as a few other miscellaneous snafus. The patches are currently "in the final stages of testing," meaning we should be seeing them fairly soon. Click past the jump to see the full list of changes for each platform. [Via CVG]
2K on the challenge of marketing BioShock 2
Speaking with the[a]listdaily, 2K Games' Matt Gorman and Tom Bass discussed the marketing strategy behind BioShock 2. With BioShock being one of the best games of 2007, Bass saw its legacy as both "a blessing and a curse" for the sequel. The challenge was twofold, according to Bass, who said that 2K had to sell the game to fans who "weren't convinced that they needed a sequel" and also to newcomers who might not have been familiar with the original. At the same time, BioShock 2 was given much more attention from retailers thanks to the success of its predecessor. "With the second one, retail was super stoked for it and just the level of presence we were given was amazing," said Gorman, adding that the community built around the original helped to "evangelize" the sequel. Finally, Gorman said that the team was happy with the reception of BioShock 2, noting, "There were few times you could turn around and not see BioShock 2 during February."
Make an in-game BioShock 2 video, win the most dangerous prize ever
2K Games is currently holding a contest to see who can capture the "craziest" occurrences while playing BioShock 2. Mind you, the contest's definition of "crazy" isn't referring to that time you found a hilarious bug, or that time you got a 20-kill streak while playing online. Rather, the contest is looking for "I froze a Big Daddy, levitated him into the air, stuck a rocket on him, and sent him flying into a group of unaware Splicers." For a hint as to what your entries should look like, watch the video posted after the jump. The prize for the craziest video is a crisp, presumably novelty-sized check for $5,000, as well as a life-sized Big Daddy suit. Yes, the suit from this video. Yes, it's probably covered in the blood of 2K Marin's programmers. No, they probably won't clean that off for you.
BioShock 2 DLC trailer shows off new venues for mayhem
Want to see what won't be available this week in BioShock 2? 2K's new trailer for the downloadable Rapture Metro Pack, due sometime in the indefinite future, gives us an idea of what the new content will be like whenever it deigns to make an appearance. All six new multiplayer maps are highlighted in this trailer in gameplay footage -- hectic, hyper-violent gameplay footage depicting BioShock 2 multiplayer sessions. In fact, 2K seems intent upon filling every moment of this trailer with brutality, even to the point of showing someone blowing himself up by accident. Way to sell that content! Without any indication of a release date, we'll just play it safe and say that you'll be able to get your hands on these new maps sometime this year.
Just kidding about that 'BioShock 2 DLC coming this week' thing
Click to make so much bigger Boy, oh boy, is there egg all over your face. You all actually bought into last week's Xbox Live Newsbeat, which announced a new chunk of BioShock 2 DLC to be released April 29? Don't you recognize a goof when you see one? Allow us to educate you: That was totally a goof. A joke! A sham! Some good old-fashioned monkeyshines. A 2K representative recently sent out a clarification, explaining that the Rapture Metro Pack won't arrive this week -- however, he didn't specify as to when the new content will actually arrive. Fortunately, he also sent along two screenshots from the DLC pack, which are posted in the gallery below. But what if these are also goofs? Man, we just don't know who to trust anymore. %Gallery-91930%
This week on the MMO Report
Once again, Thursday has come, with Friday just around the corner. (We'll not discuss the two weeks in April of 1995 where Friday slept in until Sunday morning.) That means it's time for another MMO Report, and, like always, it highlights some of the latest and greatest news in the MMO world. Which, of course, means that this week it has to talk about the sparklepony. That's not the only piece of news on the deck this week, of course. There's talk about the inimitable World of Tanks, followed shortly thereafter by discussion about Virtual Island Entertainment at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Lord of Ultima's release on Tuesday and rumors of BioShock being made into an MMO fill out the report. Well, and a dive inside Casey's mailbag, which is everything you've come to expect from it. That may not be a good thing. Take a look after the break for the video, and keep your eyes here for another installment of the MMO Report every Thursday from G4TV and Massively.
Just Cause 2 and BioShock 2 getting DLC April 29
The latest Xbox Live Newsbeat update included release dates for two pieces of downloadable content that we didn't even know existed. We typically don't care for surprises, but we're willing to make an exception if it means we get more maps for the multiplayer component of BioShock 2 and more things to explode in Just Cause 2. On April 29, six new multiplayer maps will be added to BioShock 2 as part of the "Rapture Metro Map Pack." For 800 ($10), players get the new arenas, three new masks, a "Kill 'Em Kindly" Melee deathmatch mode, and three new Achievements. Just Cause 2 will receive the "Black Market Aerial Pack," a 160 ($2) booster which adds the chaingun-toting F-33 DragonFly Jet Fighter, a multi-lock missile launcher and a parachute thruster which extends your airtime whilst leisurely sailing across the Panauan landscape. How... unexpextedly soothing!
XCOM being developed by 2K Australia [update]
Update: As it turns out, 2K Australia is actually part of 2K Marin. We've got the full story right here. Original Story: Though 2K Games' middle-of-the-night XCOM announcement heralded 2K Marin as the studio heading up development of the title, 1UP reportedly clarifies that 2K Marin's "Canberra, Australia arm" (read: 2K Australia) will be in charge of the project. For those of you playing along at home, 2K Australia was the Australian counterpart to BioShock developer Irrational Games before it split to work with 2K Marin on BioShock 2, while Kenny L and company got to work on a separate (still unannounced) project. That said, this news frees up 2K Marin's core team for other projects. And if we were betting men, we'd put our money on the California arm of the company working on a third entry in the BioShock series. When reached for comment, a 2K Games rep told us we'll hear more specifics about XCOM and 2K Marin "over the next couple of months."
Please pre-order these gorgeous gaming posters for us
People are always saying, "Joystiq, you do so much for me, how can I give back to you?" It's a fine question, and one that we finally have an answer to: You can go and pre-order one of these amazing minimalist video game posters by our friend, Justin Russo. Do we ask this because Justin was on an episode of the Joystiq Podcast once? No, we're far too self-centered to actually help another human. No, we just want him to reach his goal so he'll have enough funding to get the things made and shipped to our home base. Seriously, look at them! How do you not want one? %Gallery-89973%
Deal: BioShock 1 & 2 for $50 on Amazon
Are you one of the few that have yet to explore the world of Rapture? Amazon is running a secret sale that lets you score both BioShock 1 and 2 for only $50 -- less than the cost of BioShock 2 alone. To take advantage of this deal, you'll need to add either the PS3 or Xbox 360 versions of both games into your shopping cart; the discount will appear there. (Sorry, the deal isn't applicable to the PC or Limited Edition versions.) Starting with this combo bundle will give you the rare chance to play the entire BioShock saga in the correct canonical order. Remember to start with BioShock 2's multiplayer mode, then move onto the original BioShock, and finish with BioShock 2's story. That's the only way you'll get the real experience. [Thanks, Waunel]
The monsters you didn't see in BioShock
The world of Rapture as it appeared in the first BioShock may have seemed totally complete, but Irrational Games revealed some elements that were kept behind the development curtain from us -- basically, monsters. The company revealed some rejected enemy designs from its "Vault," including some mutants that were much more ... mutated than the Splicers we saw in the final game. We imagine that people wouldn't look back so fondly on their experience in Rapture if it had been populated by melting guys and people that were in the process of turning into giant bugs. Creepy little girls seem just a bit less creepy in comparison.
