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[B33]

What I think the entire plot of the game will hinge on with regard to

Spoiler

Booker, and the seemingly repeated nature of his trip to Columbia (the dialog from the couple in the beginning etc.), is whether or not it's BOOKER himself going through this over and over again, or is he experiment subject #946, one in a million different instances of the rescuer going to get the girl in Columbia.

Sorry to shit up the thread with so much spoiler text, all. As B33 said, this is all just speculation and/or info gleaned from officially released information. Just trying to keep it safe for those of you on black out.

The premise of the game may seem straightforward, but the elements we've discussed heavily indicate that BioShock Infinite will be subverting the tropes one would expect from its marketing synopsis.

I'm certain the majority of the game's intrigue hinges upon

Spoiler

the specifics of Booker's ascension to Columbia, what the talk of an "experiment" means, the true intentions of his "employers," and whether the protagonist is a independent being or a "testtube creation" (à la Jack).

In a way, this quandary is brilliant on Irrational's part, as Jack was

Spoiler

a relative nonentity for a majority of BioShock

. Whereas Booker

Spoiler

has a persona and history that's pervasive throughout, rather than nonintrusive.

Many apologies for the spoiler tags. Nothing above is deleterious to the first play through of the game (unless you're on a stringent blackout).

 

[Andrew.]

Vibe in this thread fucking owns.

ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT

 

[CrazyDude]

Vibe in this thread fucking owns.

ONLY THREE WEEKS LEFT

I just hope it will run fine on the ps3. Don't want to buy this for my loud 360.

 

[bodyofanamerican]

Sidenote: I hope I have a fucking job in order to buy this fucking thing by the 26th.

 

[Dartastic]

I just hope it will run fine on the ps3. Don't want to buy this for my loud 360.

I just wanna see some media from a console, period. I'll buy it anyway, but... Ugh.

 

[Amir0x]

Possibly, although I'm leaning more towards the number of pre-orders required to unlock all incentives being frequently altered according to sales momentum. Painkiller: H&D was brought up earlier in the thread (at least I think it was this thread) as a possible example of a game that didn't reach the end goal as it wasn't selling very well, but I couldn't dig up anything that suggested this was the case (the internet being the internet, surely someone would have complained if the second/third tiers weren't unlocked).

I mean it wouldn't surprise me at all what you said. I'm really making a dual comment - one on the nature of the comparison between Tomb Raider's pre-order unlocks and Bioshock Infinite's current pre-order unlock status (Snake made a comment earlier in the topic about how it made him sour TR unlocked but BI was seemingly having trouble making it), and one on the probability that the reason many unlock by the end is because of accelerated pre-orders.

Who knows, though. Realistically, I'm sure most of these pre-order bonuses are relatively cost free incentive, so you may be right.

don't run thought it like 99% of gaf and you'll be fine.. Bio 1 took me like 28 hours. But I take my time with my games...

I mean I take my time too, but 28 hours? I mean, there's taking ones time and then there's sleeping on the job

Usually I take an of 3 or 4 hours longer than what ends up being the gametime average for most people, so a 15 hour game would take me like 18 or 19 hours.

Of course I'll always go with "I'd rather no filler and a tighter package", and if that means an 8 hour game, then sure... but my ideal is no filler and a tighter package AND 15 hours. Games are f00kin' expensive these days.

 

[Andrew.]

Three. More. Weeks.

Mornin' fellas

 

[Andrew.]

The Sky Hook replica has been added to the Irrational store.

This life size 1:1 prop replica is exactly how the Sky-Hook would look in the real world. It features motorized action that causes the gears and 3 hooks to spin when the trigger is squeezed. Details include supportive arm brace, highly detailed engravings that are authentic to the in-game model including all screws, wood grain, metal and leather textures. Measures over 22" in length and is nearly 11" tall, it comes packaged in a full color box.

Only 80 bucks. Bought.

 

[Mr.Fresh]

If the PS3 version is all fucked up im gonna play threw the entire game with move.

 

[Andrew.]

If the PS3 version is all fucked up im gonna play threw the entire game with move.

Lol. It wont be all fucked up.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

Where is the best preorder incentive for the console versions in the US? Is it all just DLC?

 

[Andrew.]

Where is the best preorder incentive for the console versions in the US? Is it all just DLC?

Well preordering on Amazon gets you this:

Pre-order BioShock Infinite and get Mind in Revolt, an e-book prequel, FREE for the Amazon Kindle (available beginning February 12, 2013). Mind in Revolt provides insight into the mysterious sky-city of Columbia prior to the events of BioShock Infinite and is written by Irrational Games’ writer Joe Fielder with creative director Ken Levine. Also available worldwide for free to those who pre-order is the Industrial Revolution Pack, which grants exclusive access to three in-game gear items that boost combat abilities, 500 bonus in-game currency, five lock picks, and the Industrial Revolution puzzle game which unlocks stories of Columbia and allows players to pledge their allegiance to the Vox Populi or Founders through Facebook.

Through GameStop you get Industrial Revolution pack, the puzzle game and Comstocks China Broom shotgun.

 

[Tadale]

That screenshot looks really excellent. Looking forward to getting the PC version.

 

[JaseC]

I mean it wouldn't surprise me at all what you said. I'm really making a dual comment - one on the nature of the comparison between Tomb Raider's pre-order unlocks and Bioshock Infinite's current pre-order unlock status (Snake made a comment earlier in the topic about how it made him sour TR unlocked but BI was seemingly having trouble making it), and one on the probability that the reason many unlock by the end is because of accelerated pre-orders.

It's also worth noting that Tomb Raider's bar went up a couple of weeks into November, so it had good ~four months of pre-orders whereas BioInf gets just ~one.

Who knows, though. Realistically, I'm sure most of these pre-order bonuses are relatively cost free incentive, so you may be right.

Yeah, exactly: unless you work at Valve or have put up a game for pre-purchase with the tiered system, it's impossible to be sure.

 

[garath]

I mean it wouldn't surprise me at all what you said. I'm really making a dual comment - one on the nature of the comparison between Tomb Raider's pre-order unlocks and Bioshock Infinite's current pre-order unlock status (Snake made a comment earlier in the topic about how it made him sour TR unlocked but BI was seemingly having trouble making it), and one on the probability that the reason many unlock by the end is because of accelerated pre-orders.

Who knows, though. Realistically, I'm sure most of these pre-order bonuses are relatively cost free incentive, so you may be right.

I'm sure I'm one of the many that plans to preorder but hasn't yet because I'm watching all the preorder incentives. I'm 90% likely to preorder on steam since I have money in my steam wallet but if a better incentive comes along I may order it from that retailer. But most likely a week before release I'll just preorder on steam so I can do whatever pre-loading they have.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the bar fill up on steam about a week out.

 

[Andrew.]

Looking over the cheevos/trophies, I really hope that that all of those various kill numbers stack through repeated playthroughs. I cant imagine youd be able to get all of them within one run.

 

[AllenShrz]

Ill wait for reviews.

The Original never graved me. Played for about 4 hrs and stop. All I remember were the constant and boring hacking minigames

 

[Andrew.]

Ill wait for reviews.

The Original never graved me. Played for about 4 hrs and stop. All I remember were the constant and boring hacking minigames

That were more or less completely optional? lol

 

[x-Lundz-x]

Three. More. Weeks.

Mornin' fellas

You make every day better with a Bioshock bump! Why can't it be the 26th!!!!!

 

[Bam Chowder]

Just pre-ordered this for PS3 yesterday, soo pumped for this game. This and TLoU are easily my most anticipated games this year. I've been on media blackout since those enemy spotlight videos released, so speaking of hacking mini-games, are those confirmed to return? (I'm assuming they are). I think I'm the most curious about what fighting the songbirds is going to be like. If they can fly after you on the sky rails...that's going to be intense

 

[Andrew.]

You make every day better with a Bioshock bump! Why can't it be the 26th!!!!!

Gotta keep that hype train fueled to the max.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I guess it's just me, but I didn't mind more time staring at beautiful locations and playing with the game. I don't really care about storylines in games because they're always so bad... to me Bioshock's appeal was in its startlingly original atmosphere/location, and so when I played for more I really still enjoyed myself.

Figuring how gorgeous Columbia is in Bioshock Infinite, I have a feeling I'd feel the same way.

If I ever go into a videogame anticipating the story, 99.9% of the time I find out it's just atrocious like everything else in the medium, so I learned a long time ago to stop doing that

I'm embarrassingly easy to please with stories. Like, I don't have a problem with comic books or cartoons as long as the narrative fits. Good concepts poorly executed are rampant in practically all creative media, so I just sorta try to see where they were coming from.

That said, bad dialog just rips me out of the world.

That were more or less completely optional? lol

I'm clearly part of the problem, because I actually liked those. I don't even remember what they had in 2, but that might be because unlike 1 where I played it after watching the lady play through, 2 I watched her and never tried myself.

 

[captainnapalm]

Three. More. Weeks.

Mornin' fellas

Damn, I'm so glad they decided to change up the murky settings of 1 and 2 and give us this colourful city in the sky. It looks so good.

 

[Andrew.]

I'm clearly part of the problem, because I actually liked those. I don't even remember what they had in 2, but that might be because unlike 1 where I played it after watching the lady play through, 2 I watched her and never tried myself.

I liked them too, but I also enjoyed games like Pipe Dream on the NES so go figure.

At least the hacking was signifigantly improved in Bioshock 2. That distance hacker was the shit.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I liked them too, but I also enjoyed games like Pipe Dream on the NES so go figure.

At least the hacking was signifigantly improved in Bioshock 2. That distance hacker was the shit.

http://www.gamescastlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/HackingBioshock2.png[IMG][/QUOTE]

Ohhh, now I remember, I think. I dunno, I thought the pipes were a lot more interesting than stopping a needle going back and forth. (that's what it did, right?)

Heh, until seeing the hands, I had forgotten you played as a Big Daddy in that.

 

[Andrew.]

Ohhh, now I remember, I think. I dunno, I thought the pipes were a lot more interesting than stopping a needle going back and forth. (that's what it did, right?)

Yeah. I liked it more because it didnt really break the pacing. It was simple, quick fun (and if you landed the needle in the harder to reach blue segments you would be awarded an addtional prize). Granted, I could fly through some of those pipe puzzles in Bio 1 pretty quick too. The PS3 d pad excelled at the control during those parts.

 

[Vire]

https://twitter.com/IrrationalGames/status/308965884838424576/photo/1

Anyone pick this up? Anything noteworthy?

 

[GoddyofAus]

https://twitter.com/IrrationalGames/status/308965884838424576/photo/1

Anyone pick this up? Anything noteworthy?

"Diving beneath the surface of 2013's first Masterpiece"

I'm wondering if that is just hyperbole to sell the Magazine or a sign of things to come.

 

[Andrew.]

Ill see if I can find a copy today. Definitely want to check out the article.

 

[RiccochetJ]

Ohhh, now I remember, I think. I dunno, I thought the pipes were a lot more interesting than stopping a needle going back and forth. (that's what it did, right?)

Heh, until seeing the hands, I had forgotten you played as a Big Daddy in that.

I thought the hacking system in Bio 2 was a great balance between SS2 and Bio 1. It required a little bit of skill while at the same time enemies were still able to attack you. Made for some great tense moments.

 

[Andrew.]

I thought the hacking system in Bio 2 was a great balance between SS2 and Bio 1. It required a little bit of skill while at the same time enemies were still able to attack you. Made for some great tense moments.

Ah yes I totally forgot enemies could attack you while hacking. Good call.

 

[ArisenDragon]

I couldn't resist getting BioShock on 360 for 400 points I had 440 free points from something so I said why not trying to play through this game on hard it is crazy hard.

 

[kitch9]

Right because this game hasn't had troubled development.

Every game has troubles through its development.

 

[Andrew.]

I couldn't resist getting BioShock on 360 for 400 points I had 440 free points from something so I said why not trying to play through this game on hard it is crazy hard.

Whaaat? It isn't THAT bad dude. It's a bit rough (especialy the Daddy fights) up until you reach Arcadia. By that point you should have enough upgraded weapons and plasmids (and dont forget dat wrench) to make everything else a breeze.

Try playing it with the Vita Chambers turned off. Makes it even better.

 

[ArisenDragon]

Whaaat? It isn't THAT bad dude. It's a bit rough (especialy the Daddy fights) up until you reach Arcadia. By that point you should have enough upgraded weapons and plasmids (and dont forget dat wrench) to make everything else a breeze.

Try playing it with the Vita Chambers turned off. Makes it even better.

It's probably my controller I got a new one coming soon had problems with the thumbsticks. I am playing it with vita chambers off.

 

[Andrew.]

It's probably my controller I got a new one coming soon had problems with the thumbsticks. I am playing it with vita chambers off.

Very cool. Just remember to save often! Made the mistake a few times of forgetting to do it...

 

[bodyofanamerican]

I wonder if they're gonna have Ken on any mainstream TV talk shows when the game releases. I'd imagine the whole America on steroids aspect of the game would be perfect for Colbert.

 

[Andrew.]

I wonder if they're gonna have Ken on any mainstream TV talk shows when the game releases. I'd imagine the whole America on steroids aspect of the game would be perfect for Colbert.

That's a fucking great idea and I so wish that would happen. It could work for the Daily Show or even Real Time with Bill Maher as well (for the religious aspect =D)

 

[ironcreed]

don't run thought it like 99% of gaf and you'll be fine.. Bio 1 took me like 28 hours. But I take my time with my games...

Indeed, with as much time as they obviously spent crafting this vibrant world, you can bet your ass that I will be taking it all in at a slow and deliberate pace.

 

[RiccochetJ]

I wonder if they're gonna have Ken on any mainstream TV talk shows when the game releases. I'd imagine the whole America on steroids aspect of the game would be perfect for Colbert.

Oh, I'm sure that Fox News is going to try and have him on

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

Oh, I'm sure that Fox News is going to try and have him on

They're busy waiting for the next game featuring sex with blue aliens

 

[ArisenDragon]

Very cool. Just remember to save often! Made the mistake a few times of forgetting to do it...

Yeah I am up to the

Spoiler

Medical area just beat the first mission

in BioShock.

 

[ThaiGrocer]

First thing I'm going to do: I just want to turn on god mode and watch a motorized patriot yell and attack me for 15-60 minutes.

Every game has troubles through its development.

There are experiments that need to be done.

 

[Salz01]

Still not sure if I should get this on pc or ps3/360.

 

[ShroudOfFate]

Been playing System Shock 2 for the first time and It's got me super excited!

I may just dive right in to 1999 mode from the get go.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

Still not sure if I should get this on pc or ps3/360.

Me neither. I wish we had console impressions

 

[Wasp14]

Jesus that ps3 boxart is ugly with all the clutter

Can't wait for the GOTY edition

It has nice alternative boxart that you can flip over and see.

Getting more enthused about this game now as it comes closer to release. I'll definitely play it through twice to try the Move controls out.

 

[Amir0x]

I'm embarrassingly easy to please with stories. Like, I don't have a problem with comic books or cartoons as long as the narrative fits. Good concepts poorly executed are rampant in practically all creative media, so I just sorta try to see where they were coming from.

That said, bad dialog just rips me out of the world.

I'm a big fan of comic books, I just like a particular kind - I sort of gave up most of the mainstream superhero stuff, because the arcs are generally so terrible and the universes so muddled that there's no way I could ever take it seriously.

I prefer stuff like Preacher, Maus, Transmetropolitan... but these are genuinely GREAT reads, written with power and purpose.

If you're "embarrassingly easy" to please, I'm probably the polar opposite... but the way I've mitigated this is just to stop anticipating game stories. I generally consider them so bad that they're shit even compared to the pulpiest of pulp comics.

I'm sure I'm one of the many that plans to preorder but hasn't yet because I'm watching all the preorder incentives. I'm 90% likely to preorder on steam since I have money in my steam wallet but if a better incentive comes along I may order it from that retailer. But most likely a week before release I'll just preorder on steam so I can do whatever pre-loading they have.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the bar fill up on steam about a week out.

Yeah it seems that as hype for big games grows, more people talk themselves into pre-ordering, so there is a natural growth toward release date. Whether or not this has any real impact on the bar... *shrug*

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I'm a big fan of comic books, I just like a particular kind - I sort of gave up most of the mainstream superhero stuff, because the arcs are generally so terrible and the universes so muddled that there's no way I could ever take it seriously.

I prefer stuff like Preacher, Maus, Transmetropolitan... but these are genuinely GREAT reads, written with power and purpose.

If you're "embarrassingly easy" to please, I'm probably the polar opposite... but the way I've mitigated this is just to stop anticipating game stories. I generally consider them so bad that they're shit even compared to the pulpiest of pulp comics.

Well, I'm capable of appreciating great stories with depth and character, but I like minimalist approaches as well, and sometimes the things that just sort of feel somewhere in between (which when you think about it is virtually everything), it takes until the end of a story before I really can step back and realize how clever or shallow it really was. I get wrapped up in the characters, or the visuals, or the atmosphere, or the sense of place, or even just brisk pacing, and tend to be very accepting until I hit the payoff. Well, except in the case of dialog for some reason, which is odd because in my own writing dialog seems my weakest point.

Don't mean to babble on about this, but it's oddly tough to explain well.

I suppose I do the same as you and simply don't expect anything from game stories, but the result for me is that I tend to just roll with any damn fool thing thrown at me. Often, as long as something is self-aware about it, I can tolerate nearly any level of wackiness.

Been playing System Shock 2 for the first time and It's got me super excited!

I may just dive right in to 1999 mode from the get go.

I keep forgetting about this mode. Had to remind myself what they've actually promised:

It’s not simply a matter of adjusting the difficulty sliders in the game – the team went much further than that. Resource planning? If you’re to survive this mode, proper planning will be crucial. Combat specializations? You’ll need to develop them efficiently and effectively throughout the story; any weapon will be useless to you unless you have that specialization. Combat? You will need to carefully target every shot, and your health will be set to an entirely different baseline. Game saves? Well, yes, there will be those, but according to Irrational Games Creative Director Ken Levine “there are game saves, and you’re gonna f***ing need them.”

“We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots,” said Levine. “In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.”

Very curious to see if the game they've crafted really supports this well, or if it suffers for it.

 

[GoddyofAus]

I keep forgetting about this mode. Had to remind myself what they've actually promised:



Very curious to see if the game they've crafted really supports this well, or if it suffers for it.

1999 mode has been apart of the games vision since it was announced, so I would think they've covered all their bases.