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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?
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.
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]
BioShock screen shot contest revealed
Irrational is holding a very interesting contest involving BioShock. Here's the premise, users are presented with a series of screen shots that outline a sequence of events inside BioShock. In this particular instance, you (the player) find yourself face to face with a grenadier. He has a box full of homemade grenades. You have one shell left in your shotgun, a telekinesis plasmid, and an electro bolt plasmid. The questions is: how do you take him out? Participants are asked to write out a solution in 1000 words or less. The best solution will be filmed in the game and posted in two weeks. Naturally, Irrational is looking for the most creative and interesting solution. All in all, the contest is a pretty cool way to get the community involved and show off video of the game in progress.Hit the "read" link for the full scenario and instructions for entry. If any of our readers make it into the top entries, we'll feature them here. Be sure and tell us if you make it.[Via Evil Avatar]
Irrational developing X-Com sequel?
If you played PC games during the 90s, chances are you've played X-Com. A memorable turn based strategy title, X-COM put players in control of an elite agency tasked with defending the planet from alien invaders. Players researched alien technology and built their arsenals to combat different types of enemies. All in all, X-COM earned a fond place in many gamers' memories. Potentially good news then, as Irrational Games, makers of the upcoming BioShock, may be working on a sequel. A client document from Irrational's law firm, Fierst, Pucci, & Kane LLP was discovered by Shacknews. The document in question lists X-Com among Irrational's games. Adding fuel to this fire is the fact that Irrational's Ken Levine himself has professed his love for the X-Com series and Take-Two (owner of Irrational) purchased the rights to the series in 2005.Should the rumor prove true, we can only hope that the imminent success of BioShock will convince Irrational Games to bring the game to the Xbox 360.[Via 1UP]
New BioShock media from the deep
Our friends at Xboxygen have posted some new screen shots and concept art from Irrational's upcoming BioShock -- truly one of the Xbox 360's great exclusive titles for 2007. The screen shots in particular look fantastic. Just for that special group of people that demand that a flamethrower should be in every FPS, we picked the shot above. The other shots released evoke a more grisly and deranged feeling, but in a good way. There are also some interesting concept sketches that show off some of the early designs of the Protectors (the big guys with drills for hands). Hit the "read" link to check out more screens.
Trash talk: Bioshock designer scolds uncultured peers
Speaking with MTV's Stephen Totilo, Bioshock designer Ken Levine, a self-proclaimed "Vassar-educated twit," took a jab at his fellow developers. "Most video game people have read one book and seen one movie in their life, which is Lord of the Rings and Aliens or variations of that," said Levine, adding, "There's great things in that, but you need some variety." While no doubt a gross generalization, Levine's criticism sparks a worthwhile question, as put to us by Totilo:Do culturally illiterate developers bear any of the blame for the creative conservatism that usually gets pinned on corporate game publishers? Marinate on that for a minute.Original source: GameFile [Warning: 'MTV assault' awaits]
BioShock images -- now with plasmids
Xboxygen has a fresh batch of BioShock screen shots for your viewing pleasure. The shots do a good job of showing off BioShock's impressive visual. If you look carefully, you can see some nice smoke, blood, and particle effects. Also visible in the shots are plasmids (items used in the game's upgrade system). In the shot above you can see the blue light coursing through the player's veins (plasmids are administered with injections). While we can only guess what this particular plasmid does, we're pretty sure the guy on the other end of the gun doesn't like it. Hit the "read" link for more shots.
NYC: Wanna play BioShock and get paid for it? [update 1]
[Update: 2K just let us know they've retracted the offer. We'll let you know if and when they reinstate it!]What a ridiculous question. Of course you do. In fact, many gamers would be willing to play BioShock without any sort of compensation whatsoever, finding reward in the moist surroundings of an underwater city and the the thrill of encountering terrifying scuba-men. 2K Games has sent out the call for playtesters in New York City, luring them with promises of payment and the opportunity to refine System Shock's spiritual successor (of sorts). If you can make it to SoHo and have 3 hours to spare each day from this Wednesday to Friday, answer the questionnaire (placed after the break) and send it to the indicated e-mail address. If chosen, you'll earn the princely sum of $10 per hour, along with nine wonderful (probably) hours with BioShock. The Xbox 360 game is currently slated for a June release.
BioShock: no multiplayer, no demo planned
In a recent question and answer session on the Cult of Rapture, BioShock's community site, several details about the game are confirmed. Chief among these details is that BioShock will not contain a multiplayer component. The reason for its omission is that the developers are focused on a single player story and that multiplayer would not mesh with the story. While many will no doubt point out that multiplayer doesn't really have to mesh with the story (Halo 2 for example), we're willing to cut Irrational a break, seeing as they're creating a game more along the lines of Deus Ex than Unreal Tournament. Worth noting, there are plans for downloadable content. The other tidbit revealed in the Q&A session is that there is currently no demo planned for BioShock. So, if you're not sure about BioShock, it looks like you may have to rent before you buy.[Thanks, PacoDG]
Confirmed: Bioshock shocks us in June '07
1UP has confirmed that Bioshock, Irrational's highly anticipated "spiritual successor" to the System Shock series, will be hitting the Xbox 360 and Windows platforms exclusively this June. At X06, the game was announced to be an Xbox 360 console exclusive upon its release in the Spring of this year, but the wording of the announcement left the possibility of timed exclusivity open. Is this another exclusivity mystery or the real deal: a third-party console exclusive?[Thanks, Todd]
Bioshock website is alive
2K Games has launched the official website for Irrational's Bioshock. It's the usual fare of media essentials (including a link to the new trailer) enhanced by a creepy 40s-era motif. If anything, the attention to detail on the site is a reminder that Irrational isn't playing around. Having earned numerous 'Best of Show' awards at E3 this year, Bioshock is certainly a game we should look forward to.
Fresh Bioshock Images
Xboxyde has posted some lovely pics of System Shock's spiritual sequel, Bioshock. The pic above is particularly disturbing. I call it "Joan Rivers, with hooks." So, is this game out yet, or what? We wants it.
EA does give a sh-t about System Shock 3, says PC Gamer UK
On one shore, PC Gamer magazine interviewed Irrational Games' Ken Levine who said, "One of the reasons I wasn't interested [in System Shock 3] is EA just didn't give a sh-t about that game." O RLY? Well, as part of their newfound desire to not make us hate them so much, Electronic Arts is returning to the critically (if not financially) successful franchise without Irrational (who're busy working on System Shock's spiritual successor Bioshock for their new corporate overlords at Take 2).At least that is according to PC Gamer's UK variant, who suggest in their September issue that the title will be developed by the team responsible for The Godfather. It's not a really bold guess (EA renewed their trademark earlier this year), but the addition of a developer lends some credence to the claim. Our thoughts: Uh, YAY! System Shock is a classic series that never got the attention it deserves. Let's hope The Godfather team can manage to get this one completed before the next console generation. We're going to get TWO new additions (as it were) to System Shock 2? Very yes. [Thanks for the image, Jakkar]
