Bioshock Infinite Catch-All

Hmm. A little disappointing.

If anything, I think in terms of themes this will be the inverse of Andrew Ryan's Rapture, which fits with Columbia being the opposite of Atlantis/Rapture and miles in the sky. The posters and buildings are strongly religious and patriotic.

For those having trouble:

Youtube Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV_TDxl2UIo

ShackNews also has it up

Scratched wrote:

If anything, I think in terms of themes this will be the inverse of Andrew Ryan's Rapture, which fits with Columbia being the opposite of Atlantis/Rapture and miles in the sky. The posters and buildings are strongly religious and patriotic.

Bioshock 2 was the opposite of Andrew Ryan's Rapture, and I, for one, couldn't get more than a few hours into it. I don't see what else there is to say with a Bioshock game thematically, or much new to do. I'm sure they're better at this particular brainstorm than I am, but I'm still doubtful.

By the way, the latest Conference Call includes an interview with Ken Levine on this very topic.

Words cannot express how angry I am at my rubbish computer, video isn't working due to it's general decrepitude.

I turned up for the announcement, damn it!

It's the servers getting hammered.

Lara, you totally nailed the "reading of the nerd pulse" with the Steampunk prediction.

Also let's do the fun internet thing where we take something as cynically as possible.

Spoiler:

A beautiful looking steampunk game that explores 19th century American Exceptionalism and the Industrial Revolution, set in floating cities in the sky. *yawn* So pedestrian. Haven't we seen this like 8000 times before? Man, if I had a nickel for every pre-WWII game set in American history ... also aren't we tired of the *shock games already? I must've played a billion of them. Or maybe 2. Whatever, I hate them already. I'm glad I didn't spend more than 5 seconds investigating this. Why didn't he do a unique game like something with space marines but there's a slight twist! *sigh*

PyromanFO wrote:

Also let's do the fun internet thing where we take something as cynically as possible.

Ah, we do have fun, don't we?

It's an FPS, in a cool new setting, looking to tell a powerful story with moral implications. Name identifier aside, that's a game I more than likely will want to play, can't wait.

Edit: make that almost certainly will play.

I was kinda hoping they were bringing back that zombie survival prototype game. I'll keep an eye on this, but I have yet to finish Bioshock 1 or 2. I better get cracking, though a 2012 release date gives me plenty of time.

PyromanFO wrote:

Lara, you totally nailed the "reading of the nerd pulse" with the Steampunk prediction.

Also let's do the fun internet thing where we take something as cynically as possible.

Spoiler:

A beautiful looking steampunk game that explores 19th century American Exceptionalism and the Industrial Revolution, set in floating cities in the sky. *yawn* So pedestrian. Haven't we seen this like 8000 times before? Man, if I had a nickel for every pre-WWII game set in American history ... also aren't we tired of the *shock games already? I must've played a billion of them. Or maybe 2. Whatever, I hate them already. I'm glad I didn't spend more than 5 seconds investigating this. Why didn't he do a unique game like something with space marines but there's a slight twist! *sigh*

Alright, you have a good point. But, like the new X-Com game, re-using a name that has some baggage may not be the best idea.

I don't know what people who were disappointed were expecting. Looking at Irrational's history as a studio they've mostly made first person shooters in the style of System Shock 2. Would I have liked another Freedom Force game? Sure, but that certainly wasn't what I was expecting. What I look for from Ken Levine and Irrational is creativity in world building. What gave Bioshock its instant appeal was how different it was from other games. The reason I found Bioshock 2 so unappealing was its stark similarity to its predecessor. This game is what Bioshock 2 should've been.

Unfortunately I think we already know what Irrational's next game after this is going to be.

Spoiler:

Bioshock 5: To The Moon

Alright, you have a good point. But, like the new X-Com game, re-using a name that has some baggage may not be the best idea.

X-Com is the perfect analogy. The baggage is entirely ours. Hardcore internet gamers really need to realize the gaming world no longer revolves around them, and that maybe the baggage they bring to something like this is doing them more harm than good. Irrational is certainly not going to cancel the project or change it substantially, so why would you psych yourself out of something simply because it wasn't exactly what you expected it to be? Maybe everyone should lighten the f*ck up and have some fun playing a game once in a while.

Three cheers for all platforms. Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

I hope it's cool. It looks pretty cool.

KaterinLHC wrote:

By the way, the latest Conference Call includes an interview with Ken Levine on this very topic.

Oh, look who was right:

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Wait, so the GWJ conference call is delayed until tomorrow afternoon "just this once," and the Icarus trailer is announced tomorrow afternoon. Admit it, CEOs: you're delaying the conference call so you can have Ken Levine on talking about Icarus just after it's been unveiled.

/tallies up a point for himself

I'm going to combat all my cynicism above

Spoiler:

TUXEDO SHOES ON A MOTHERf*ckING ROBOT HELL YEAH

I think there's another issue with the expectations, how much should gamers expect talented developers and their publishers to stay with their areas of strength, or do they have any (probably the wrong word that will start a flamewar) responsibility to use their talent to go and break new ground.

BI looks like it could be interesting, but I'm going to have to wait on the gameplay trailer before getting excited.

*breathing*

Alright, I finally saw it. Thanks for the links. I, too, was somewhat disappointed that it was another 'shock game — I was psyched to see what new idea they'd come up with. But, after having a couple of minutes to get over that... this could be really, really cool. Can't wait to see what secrets are hidden in this video.

Meh.

Who am I kidding? It's an interesting if repetitive concept. In the coming months the excitement will slowly build, and when it's released it'll probably be great and I'll love it since Ken has yet to make a game that sucks. But for now, at this moment.....meh.

Finally got to see it. After forcing myself to forget the name it looks like a really cool setting and idea for a game. Really looking forward to hearing more about it.

Latrine wrote:

What I look for from Ken Levine and Irrational is creativity in world building. What gave Bioshock its instant appeal was how different it was from other games. The reason I found Bioshock 2 so unappealing was its stark similarity to its predecessor. This game is what Bioshock 2 should've been.

I totally agree with this. After seeing the trailer, I'm genuinely excited to put myself in the world. The style and the potential for imagination really struck a nerve with me.

I have to say I would be more excited if it just wasn't named "Bioshock...".

That said, I feel it's painfully obvious why they included that in the title. However, after reading more about it on Rock, Paper, Shotgun, I'm now excited. I have faith in Irrational, and this looks like far more of a departure from Bioshock than the title suggests.

Scratched wrote:

I think there's another issue with the expectations, how much should gamers expect talented developers and their publishers to stay with their areas of strength, or do they have any (probably the wrong word that will start a flamewar) responsibility to use their talent to go and break new ground.

BI looks like it could be interesting, but I'm going to have to wait on the gameplay trailer before getting excited.

Yeah, my primary concern is that Bioshock 2 showed me that I've played enough Bioshock for a while. After reading some more details around the web, it seems like the combat will be different enough that it might not wear on me the same way - a little less claustrophobic, a bit less oppressive - and even if it's not for me I'd be astonished if it just wasn't good.

Welp. It's not coming out until 2012 anyway, so why get my panties in a bunch? Here's to a good game!

Spoiler:

Ye gods, if they actually do a Bioshock 5: To The Moon, I will be even more excited than Chris Remo (if that's possible).

PyromanFO wrote:

A beautiful looking steampunk game that explores 19th century American Exceptionalism and the Industrial Revolution, set in floating cities in the sky. *yawn* So pedestrian. Haven't we seen this like 8000 times before? Man, if I had a nickel for every pre-WWII game set in American history ... also aren't we tired of the *shock games already? I must've played a billion of them. Or maybe 2. Whatever, I hate them already. I'm glad I didn't spend more than 5 seconds investigating this. Why didn't he do a unique game like something with space marines but there's a slight twist! *sigh*

I think this could take the series in an interesting direction, but it'll have a bit of an effect on the atmosphere I should imagine. I agree with Pyro that this is a definite move away from video game convention, and I respect Irrational for doing that.

I have no doubt that this will be a fantastic game that I will love playing but yeah, I'm very underwhelmed with the idea. It just seems like BioShock in a new setting to me. That's good in its own way but I really hoped for something new since it appeared like BioShock had been handed off from Irrational. If that makes me a "hater', I really don't care.

Synopsis from the site:

BioShock Infinite is a first-person shooter currently in development at Irrational Games, the studio behind the original BioShock (which sold over 4 million units worldwide). Set in 1912, BioShock Infinite introduces an entirely new narrative and gameplay experience that lifts players out of the familiar confines of Rapture and rockets them to Columbia, an immense city in the sky.

Former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt has been sent to rescue Elizabeth, a young woman imprisoned in Columbia since childhood. Booker develops a relationship with Elizabeth, augmenting his abilities with hers so the pair may escape from a city that is literally falling from the sky. DeWitt must learn to fight foes in high-speed Sky-Line battles, engage in combat both indoors and amongst the clouds, and harness the power of dozens of new weapons and abilities.

Interview with Ken Levine http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-08-12-irrationals-ken-levine-interview

And the screens I was going to post earlier. Let me know if I should take'em down for spoiler reasons. The art looks incredible.

IMAGE(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/BNoice/vlcsnap-2010-08-12-13h58m17s56-1.png)

IMAGE(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/BNoice/vlcsnap-2010-08-12-13h58m40s22-1.png)

IMAGE(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/BNoice/vlcsnap-2010-08-12-13h58m46s94-1.png)

IMAGE(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/BNoice/vlcsnap-2010-08-12-14h09m50s71.png)

IMAGE(http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu231/BNoice/vlcsnap-2010-08-12-13h59m26s236-1.png)

Can't watch the trailer, but colour me intrigued. My only reservation is the name, but it's not a big deal at all.

The credits theme should definitely be "99 Luftballons".