Irrational Trashed Tons of Ideas Before BioShock Infinite Stuck

[Tom Goldman]

Irrational Trashed Tons of Ideas Before BioShock Infinite Stuck

Irrational Games prototyped ideas for six months before deciding on the basis for BioShock Infinite.

There may be a segment of people out there that believe Irrational Games immediately moved the original BioShock Infinite [http://www.amazon.com/BioShock-pc/dp/B000MK694E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1282614079&sr=8-4] would eventually become.

Levine told CVG: "[We worked on] a lot of prototypes for this game and other games. We played around with a lot of different things we were thinking about doing." He reveals that Irrational did six months of "prototyping" to figure out what it should do to follow up on the industry high note it hit with BioShock, a six months which he calls a "luxury."

The process involved a lot of throwing ideas in the trash. "The way Irrational works is we throw out way more of that than we use for our stuff," Levine said. "We start work, we try it, 'does it work? Does it not work? Throw it out'. That's a time consuming process but at the end of the day I think it makes a better game for the fans."

After Irrational's brainstorming, it came up with the idea of a floating city and the time period of the 1900s "very early." As for the "notion of the American exceptionalism - that July 4th 1900 feeling with flags waving," Levine says Irrational didn't decide upon that until eight months ago.

This is very similar to the development of BioShock, for which Irrational "didn't have the objectivism thing until relatively late," Levine admits. "You can't imagine BioShock without Andrew Ryan but it WAS without Andrew Ryan for a very long time."

So is Irrational simply replacing textures and environments and calling it a day? Who knows, but I seriously doubt it. I do know this: It'll be a long wait until BioShock Infinite's expected release in 2012.

Source: CVG [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=261321]


Permalink

 

[Glazin]

I still want an explanation on how these people have powers when ADAM wasn't even discovered yet.

 

[Cynical skeptic]

They're right, I don't believe it.

Its nice they're admitting everything good about bioshock was a complete fluke, though. Just wish they'd stop using the name "bioshock" if all they're going to do are make generic shooters with randomized aesthetics.

 

[Icehearted]

While I like the direction they're going with this new one, I'm still pretty sour about the last one. Honestly, it doesn't need the BioShock name weighing it down, especially when so many people figured the first one never needed a sequel anyway.

I'll keep an open mind, but so help me if I so much as get a whiff of multiplayer I'll RAGE.

 

[Gigaguy64]

Its gonna be a long wait indeed.

I love the path they decided to take on this one and i cant wait to see what else they have in store.
If its as good as BioShock 1&2 their Brainstorming wont have been in vain.

 

[jamesworkshop]

Yeah I remember reading that bioshock orginally was about a cult deprogrammer who was once hired to convert a wealthy familys daughter into no longer being a lesbian

 

[WanderingFool]

I still want an explanation on how these people have powers when ADAM wasn't even discovered yet.

Im only guessing that ADAM and Plasmids are not going to be used, and instead they will come-up with something new. Also I think Bioshock implies the biological modifcation of the player, like Systemshock dealt with the modification of the player through cybernetic upgrades and such, but Im very possibably wrong.

 

[Vilcus]

While I like the direction they're going with this new one, I'm still pretty sour about the last one. Honestly, it doesn't need the BioShock name weighing it down, especially when so many people figured the first one never needed a sequel anyway.

I'll keep an open mind, but so help me if I so much as get a whiff of multiplayer I'll RAGE.

Irrational didn't make BioShock 2. It was made by; 2K Marin, Digital Extremes (multiplayer), 2K China, Arkane Studios (level design assistance), and was published by 2K Games. So you can go ahead and pretend BioShock 2 never existed, because it basically didn't in Irrational's eyes.

They've already said that the possibility of multiplayer is incredibly low, as Irrational doesn't really do multiplayer.

Edit: This section is not directed at you Icehearted, I'm sorry for the confusion - Saying they can't use a brand name that they created because you don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture is nothing short of arrogance. BioShock as a word is never even mentioned in game, so it is not attached to anything in either game. It's a theme, as they've said many times that explores humanity, and insane biological powers. How they obtain those powers may vary, but in the end they're still exploring the same ideas.

I'm looking forward to this game, and I believe that it will be just as good as, if not better than the first. I also want to do some cool things with the funky powers they're going to give us.

 

[SelectivelyEvil13]

Snip

Spoiler

While I like the direction they're going with this new one, I'm still pretty sour about the last one. Honestly, it doesn't need the BioShock name weighing it down, especially when so many people figured the first one never needed a sequel anyway.

I'll keep an open mind, but so help me if I so much as get a whiff of multiplayer I'll RAGE.

Irrational didn't make BioShock 2. It was made by; 2K Marin, Digital Extremes (multiplayer), 2K China, Arkane Studios (level design assistance), and was published by 2K Games. So you can go ahead and pretend BioShock 2 never existed, because it basically didn't in Irrational's eyes.

They've already said that the possibility of multiplayer is incredibly low, as Irrational doesn't really do multiplayer.

Saying they can't use a brand name that they created because you don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture is nothing short of arrogance. BioShock as a word is never even mentioned in game, so it is not attached to anything in either game. It's a theme, as they've said many times that explores humanity, and insane biological powers. How they obtain those powers may vary, but in the end they're still exploring the same ideas.

I'm looking forward to this game, and I believe that it will be just as good as, if not better than the first. I also want to do some cool things with the funky powers they're going to give us.

Outstanding points (and you took the words out of my mouth/keyboard)

I am much more confident now that the One and Only/Original Bioshock's team is working on Infinite.

The trailer's scene where the woman is levitating the [presumably] main character in the sky makes me believe that while plasmids may not be involved, something similar that is possibly "biological" will come into play. I wonder if we will get to see some possible inspirations/hints/prototypes to the future Rapture and its various components.

 

[cabalistics]

I'm not sure if there's going to be any continuity between the games set in Rapture. It's probably going to be a separate alternative history but with a similar feel

 

[Andronicus]

I'm not sure if there's going to be any continuity between the games set in Rapture. It's probably going to be a separate alternative history but with a similar feel

I'm in the same boat. I have no complaint if they wish to set it in a complete alternate universe to the one in which Rapture is set. It would be much better than trying to shoehorn the Infinite storyline and themes to fit the same universe. Of course, if they can do it without making it appear strained and absurd (relatively speaking), then more power to them.

I look forward to a truer successor to the series, in the sense that each game deserves to stand in its own right as a channel for the developers to expand their thoughts on various topics, rather than seeming to leech of the success of its immediate predecessor. There was absolutely no need for BioShock 2 to exist, in my opinion.

 

[Blue Musician]

I still want an explanation on how these people have powers when ADAM wasn't even discovered yet.

Mmmm, good point. It'll make me wonder if they are going to fix this plothole...
But still, I don't think I will like it.

Now, I wonder what other ideas they had...

 

[Icehearted]

While I like the direction they're going with this new one, I'm still pretty sour about the last one. Honestly, it doesn't need the BioShock name weighing it down, especially when so many people figured the first one never needed a sequel anyway.

I'll keep an open mind, but so help me if I so much as get a whiff of multiplayer I'll RAGE.

Irrational didn't make BioShock 2. It was made by; 2K Marin, Digital Extremes (multiplayer), 2K China, Arkane Studios (level design assistance), and was published by 2K Games. So you can go ahead and pretend BioShock 2 never existed, because it basically didn't in Irrational's eyes.

They've already said that the possibility of multiplayer is incredibly low, as Irrational doesn't really do multiplayer.

Saying they can't use a brand name that they created because you don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture is nothing short of arrogance. BioShock as a word is never even mentioned in game, so it is not attached to anything in either game. It's a theme, as they've said many times that explores humanity, and insane biological powers. How they obtain those powers may vary, but in the end they're still exploring the same ideas.

I'm looking forward to this game, and I believe that it will be just as good as, if not better than the first. I also want to do some cool things with the funky powers they're going to give us.

As so it went with Metal Gear 2 and Konami, but that doesn't mean the name wasn't, for lack of a better term, whored out by it's owners, more or less.

I'm also pretty sure I never said can't... let's reread this one together, hmm?

Nope can't isn't used in any part of my post, neither do I suggest that they can't by any other means. Pretty sure my point was that calling it Bioshock was needless, since a good game can carry itself on it's merits rather than on it's name, kinda like Bioshock 2 did.

Also, I fail to see anything arrogant in any part of my post. According to Merriam Webster:
"an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions "

Pretty sure that in no part did I assume anything. Also pretty sure, let's reread again.... nope, I didn't say that BioShock can't (oh that word again...) be used as a name for the game because I "don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture".

So let's be clear, you've attacked me for being something I wasn't and accused me of saying something I didn't. Capital!

Dare I ask which of us was being, according to Merriam Webster, arrogant?


And I stand by my initial remarks. Open minded yes, miltiplayer RAGE.

 

[Mr. Gency]

I still want an explanation on how these people have powers when ADAM wasn't even discovered yet.

I'm only guessing that ADAM and Plasmids are not going to be used, and instead they will come-up with something new. Also I think Bioshock implies the biological modification of the player, like Systemshock dealt with the modification of the player through cybernetic upgrades and such, but I'm very possibly wrong.

That, or they invent ADAM, then everyone who knows about it dies and the ADAM falls into the ocean.

 

[Vilcus]

Saying they can't use a brand name that they created because you don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture is nothing short of arrogance. BioShock as a word is never even mentioned in game, so it is not attached to anything in either game. It's a theme, as they've said many times that explores humanity, and insane biological powers. How they obtain those powers may vary, but in the end they're still exploring the same ideas.

I'm looking forward to this game, and I believe that it will be just as good as, if not better than the first. I also want to do some cool things with the funky powers they're going to give us.

As so it went with Metal Gear 2 and Konami, but that doesn't mean the name wasn't, for lack of a better term, whored out by it's owners, more or less.

I'm also pretty sure I never said can't... let's reread this one together, hmm?

Nope can't isn't used in any part of my post, neither do I suggest that they can't by any other means. Pretty sure my point was that calling it Bioshock was needless, since a good game can carry itself on it's merits rather than on it's name, kinda like Bioshock 2 did.

Also, I fail to see anything arrogant in any part of my post. According to Merriam Webster:
"an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions "

Pretty sure that in no part did I assume anything. Also pretty sure, let's reread again.... nope, I didn't say that BioShock can't (oh that word again...) be used as a name for the game because I "don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture".

So let's be clear, you've attacked me for being something I wasn't and accused me of saying something I didn't. Capital!

Dare I ask which of us was being, according to Merriam Webster, arrogant?


And I stand by my initial remarks. Open minded yes, miltiplayer RAGE.

I'll apologize for that part because that was a mistake. That wasn't directed at you, only the first two sections were. The latter part of my post is directed at the people who don't think Bioshock should be used for anything but Rapture. Again, I'm sorry, I should have made it clearer that the later partsof my arguement were not intended for you.

 

[Icehearted]

Saying they can't use a brand name that they created because you don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture is nothing short of arrogance. BioShock as a word is never even mentioned in game, so it is not attached to anything in either game. It's a theme, as they've said many times that explores humanity, and insane biological powers. How they obtain those powers may vary, but in the end they're still exploring the same ideas.

I'm looking forward to this game, and I believe that it will be just as good as, if not better than the first. I also want to do some cool things with the funky powers they're going to give us.

As so it went with Metal Gear 2 and Konami, but that doesn't mean the name wasn't, for lack of a better term, whored out by it's owners, more or less.

I'm also pretty sure I never said can't... let's reread this one together, hmm?

Nope can't isn't used in any part of my post, neither do I suggest that they can't by any other means. Pretty sure my point was that calling it Bioshock was needless, since a good game can carry itself on it's merits rather than on it's name, kinda like Bioshock 2 did.

Also, I fail to see anything arrogant in any part of my post. According to Merriam Webster:
"an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions "

Pretty sure that in no part did I assume anything. Also pretty sure, let's reread again.... nope, I didn't say that BioShock can't (oh that word again...) be used as a name for the game because I "don't think it can apply to anything but Rapture".

So let's be clear, you've attacked me for being something I wasn't and accused me of saying something I didn't. Capital!

Dare I ask which of us was being, according to Merriam Webster, arrogant?


And I stand by my initial remarks. Open minded yes, miltiplayer RAGE.

I'll apologize for that part because that was a mistake. That wasn't directed at you, only the first two sections were. The latter part of my post is directed at the people who don't think Bioshock should be used for anything but Rapture. Again, I'm sorry, I should have made it clearer that the later partsof my arguement were not intended for you.

Makes sense. No harm no foul, friend.

 

[Broken Blade]

Actually, I'd love to know what some of their other ideas were. Antarctic research base where you'd freeze to death if you spent too much time outside? Floating ocean city and your character suffers from hydrophobia? There's a lot of fun things you can do with the BioShock concept.

And I'd mention the space base idea, but then this'd just be System Shock 2.1.

 

[archvile93]

If only they would just trash this game entirely and focus on making a series of games that are actually good.

 

[Jared]

I am glad they did decided to goi n the direction which they have done. I love Bioshock, and a lil change to the formula is certainly not a bad thing at all

 

[DaxStrife]

While I approve of a game company taking time to plan their games and try to think creatively, I'm a bit boggled this is what they came up with after six months: "Bioshock" in the sky?
In that entire six month period, nobody thought "Hey, we've got this System Shock franchise just lying around, maybe we should do something with that?" X-(