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BioShock 2 re-released on Steam with Minerva's Den
2K Games has relaunched its undersea first-person shooter BioShock 2 on Steam, bundling it with add-on content and stripping away its once-restrictive Games for Windows Live integration. The Steam version of BioShock 2 includes the base game and all previously-released multiplayer downloadable content, along with the "Protector's Trials" single-player DLC. The story-driven add-on "Minerva's Den" is available separately for $4.99. Previously, BioShock 2 was only available as a Games for Windows Live release, leaving players without access to its DLC following the recent closure of the GFWL marketplace. Players who purchased BioShock 2 on disc or via Games for Windows Live can get a Steam copy bundled with all available DLC by following these instructions.
Three ex-BioShock devs form The Fullbright Company
Three of the developers behind recent BioShock games have started their own studio, called The Fullbright Company, with the simple goal to "make a great game." The Fullbright Company is Steve Gaynor, Johnnemann Nordhagen and Karla Zimonja. As Gaynor describes it, perhaps their goal isn't so "simple" after all:"A memorable experience that you'll be drawn into, and keep thinking about after the game's turned off, and want to come back to again someday. An experience that gets away from the constraints of ossified game genres, while relying on what we're good at as a team: creating immersive places to inhabit, and a deep, personal story to explore at your own pace. A nonviolent game in an unfantastical locale; an experience that not many games provide, built out of techniques that only video games can employ."The trio have worked on BioShock 2, Minerva's Den, BioShock Infinite and XCOM. Gaynor wrote and was design lead on Minerva's Den, if that gives anyone confidence in this new studio. Fullbright promises more updates and information on its site "soon."
Finally, Minerva's Den coming to BioShock 2 PC
BioShock 2 add-on "Minerva's Den" will finally make its way to PC on May 31 for 800 MSP ($10) -- that means you'll need to be hooked up to Games for Windows Live. The BioShock 2 DLC became available on consoles late last year, and in our review we found it to be a "very interesting and value-packed single-player expansion." The road to a PC release of "Minerva's Den" has been long and awkward ever since it was announced late last year. The last time the DLC's potential PC release popped up on radar was January. Repeated requests for an update had 2K Games explaining it had "no new information at this time." So, while it may be seriously late, at least it wasn't canceled. (Why not just say so, 2K?)
BioShock 2 DLC draws closer to release on PC
PC gamers anxious to extend their BioShock 2 experience should pop a Paying Attention plasmid right now: those add-ons are still coming. The first of the two campaign add-ons offered to console gamers, Protector Trials, is currently on track to be submitted for certification at the end of January. Once approved, there shouldn't be too long of a wait before aspiring father figure types can get to protectin' their younger, creepier sisters. As for Minerva's Den, it'll be a longer wait: 2K Games says it's on track to submit to certification in early March. The delay comes from the fact that the PC port of the acclaimed add-on was only in the earliest stages of development when 2K Games decided it didn't want to pursue a PC release, only to subsequently change its mind. If you want to know more, check out this thread on the 2K forums, where community manager Elizabeth Tobey is promising to answer questions.
Kill Screen's inaugural 'High Scores' show Limbo and Mass Effect 2 atop 2010 leaderboard
In its first annual "High Scores" ranking, our friends at Kill Screen broke down 2010's releases into two main categories: "Big Games" (including blockbusters, full retail releases and subscription-based MMOs) and "Small Games" (including indies, downloadables, DLC and expansions, mobile, social, free-to-play and completely free titles). Then, a whole gang of critics, Joystiq's Andrew Yoon and myself included, were elected as judges, each allotted 100 points per category and able to award any game 2–40 points. (A judge, for example, could have totally given 1 vs. 100 all 40 points it rightfully deserved!) Scoring in the top spots across the two categories were two titles that also appeared in our own Top 10: Mass Effect 2 (the "big" game) and Limbo (the "small" one). Notably, Minecraft landed in the #3 "Small Games" position, just below Super Meat Boy, showing how much critical love there's been for the just-in-beta world-building game. Also of note: BioShock 2's "Minerva's Den" and Mass Effect 2's "Lair of the Shadow Broker" charted, representing the only DLC to earn a "High Score."
Bioshock 2 DLC and patch back in development for PC
You may recall the manner in which the internet exploded earlier this month, when 2K Games explained that no single-player BioShock 2 DLC or future patches were in development for the PC version of the game. It's time for these oft-scorned gamers to take back all the mean things they said upon hearing that news. 2K Games reversed its position in light of the passionate response from its community and has "resumed development" on the excellent "Minerva's Den" and "Protector Trials" DLC, as well as on the game's final patch. A 2K representative said on the game's official forums that the patch and Protector Trials should get through certification in December, at which point they'll both be released to the PC community for free. The company has no idea when Minerva's Den will be finished, but 2K has allocated resources to completing its PC version. See? Everything's going to be fine. Just ... put down that giant, deadly drill, okay? [Thanks Andrew!]
2K Games has no plans to bring Bioshock 2 DLC to PC
If you're a PC gamer that's been waiting to get your feet wet in BioShock 2's pair of DLC expansions, the "Protector Trials" and "Minerva's Den," you're in for a disappointing next few minutes. A 2K Games representative recently commented on the game's official forums, explaining that "we will also not be offering Protector Trials and Minerva's Den on the PC in the future," citing "timing and technical issues" as the reason for the expansions' non-appearance. The representative went on to apologize for "the disappointment this will cause to PC players out there," though we wouldn't worry too much about that, as PC gamers are almost certainly used to it by this point.
BioShock 2: Minerva's Den review: Turing Rapture
I don't care much for video games -- well, not when I'm playing them inside another video game. I can appreciate the recursive wink and what it says about the hours we devote to entertainment as life continues around us, but in the wrong context it can dissolve a game's sense of urgency. It's classic Shenmue syndrome. If you have the time and impulse to pet a cat, get a haircut and play a computer game, then maybe your quest isn't all that important. %Gallery-100380%
BioShock 2 'Minerva's Den' DLC hits PS3, 360 Aug. 31 for $10
2K Marin has finally revealed the launch date for BioShock 2's final DLC offering, Minerva's Den. On August 31, the DLC will launch on PSN and Xbox Live simultaneously for $9.99 and 800 MS Points, respectively. Games For Windows Live users will have to wait until "a later date" for the DLC. Minerva's Den adds three new areas to explore in the titular level and runs parallel to the main story, meaning players need not complete the BioShock 2 campaign before struggling with whether they'll decide to harvest or adopt the six new Little Sisters peppered throughout. 2K Marin also revealed that, as an added incentive to those who picked up Protector Trials, players will be given access to the Master Protector tonic in Minerva's Den, which simultaneously increases the harvest times for any Little Sister you're chaperoning and the ADAM they collect. This tonic can be accessed via any Gatherer's Garden. Be sure to read our preview of Minerva's Den, which includes impressions of a new weapon, an all-new Plasmid and the new Big Daddy type, the Lancer.%Gallery-100380%
'Minerva's Den' BioShock 2 DLC Preview: Stomping around as Sigma
Minerva's Den is the final piece of BioShock 2 DLC you'll ever get. Taking place in parallel to the main story of the game, this $9.99/800 MS Point add-on puts players in the huge, metallic boots of Subject Sigma, another Alpha-series Big Daddy who just isn't having a great day in the underwater metropolis of Rapture. Instead of dealing with Sophia Lamb, Sigma has his own nemesis to contend with: Reed Wahl. You see, Reed Wahl holds the keys to the kingdom of Minerva's Den, which itself houses one of Rapture's greatest assets: The Thinker. It's a gigantic super computer unlike any other controlling the Rapture Central Computing district. Aiding Sigma is a character you may have forgotten about, because she kinda just disappeared at the beginning of the game: Brigid Tennenbaum. %Gallery-100380%
Single-player BioShock 2 add-on 'Minerva's Den' coming this fall
"Minerva's Den" will be BioShock 2's final piece of downloadable content when it arrives on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC this fall. 2K Games announced the single-player focused expansion will have you taking control of an "all-new character," who teams up with Dr. Tenenbaum (looks like the game didn't completely forget about her) to "unravel a dictator's stranglehold" on the Rapture Central Computing district. Developed by 2K Marin, the expansion -- which has yet to receive a price -- will feature a "never-before-seen" type of Big Daddy, new plasmids and additional weaponry. Existing BioShock 2 DLC includes the multiplayer-focused "Metro Pack" and the "Protector's Trials" pack that surfaced earlier this week on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
