Interview BioShock Q&A at TTLG

Saint_Proverbius · Aug 2, 2006

Tags: BioShock

<a href="http://www.sshock2.com/">Through the Looking Glass</a> has a very wordy <a href="http://www.sshock2.com/bioshock/interviews/irrationaljuly06.asp">interview</a> with Ken Levine about their first person, scary CRPG BioShock. Most of the questions have huge answers about things like the art style of the game, player actions and choices, and so on. However, since those answers were much too long, you're stuck with this:
 
<blockquote>TTLG: Developers and fans lament that in recent game history, the same few genres are produced over and over again. What is the innovation in BioShock you are most proud of?
 
 
Ken Levine: No doubt, it's the AI. Our goal with BioShock was to make a game where the AIs have interesting and meaningful relationships with one anotherâ€¦in ways that really impact on the gameplay. The Big Daddys and Little Sisters are real to me, and they're real to the team. They're the moral and technological center of the game.</blockquote>
 
When in doubt, it's always the AI!
 
 
Spotted at: <A HREF="http://www.ve3d.com">VoodooExtreme</A>

elander_ · Aug 2, 2006

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/ar ... ?id=143616

Monday 31-Jul-2006 12:09 PM Apparently EA wasn't very interested in a sequel to System Shock 2, according to Irrational's head honcho

Irrational Games is currently beavering away on Bioshock, the game that's been widely dubbed the spiritual successor to the dev's acclaimed System Shock 2, but it turns out the studio could as easily have been developing System Shock 3 - according to Irrational boss Ken Levine, however, EA just wasn't very keen on the idea of a sequel.

Levine has reportedly revealed in an article appearing in PC Gamer (US) magazine that he actually put together a story design for System Shock 3 which EA had, but said that the publisher "didn't give a shit. It's just not their thing".

"One of the reasons I wasn't interested [in System Shock 3] is EA just didn't give a shit about that game", he said, continuing: "I think if EA were to do it, it would've been just a regular first-person shooter with a boss monster at the end".

"They [EA] didn't see it as big brand and I didn't want that uphill battle", Levine further explained. Meanwhile, he took the opportunity to praise Bioshock publisher 2K Games.

"We have a publisher who cares about this game, and they believe in this kind of game. 2K Games is the company that helped reinvigorate Elder Scrolls [with The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion] and Civilization. They believe in core games", Levine said.

Simply patetic.

Direwolf · Aug 2, 2006

So it is another Radiant AI in the making?

Greatatlantic · Aug 2, 2006

Re: BioShock Q&A at TTLG

Saint_Proverbius said:
When in doubt, it's always the AI!

I think the AI is still playing second fiddle though to a certain other feature commonly referred to as graphics. I mean, even Chris Avellone jumped on the graphics bandwagon and said better graphics makes text unnecessary in RPGs (or something along those lines). AI is sort of a recent phenomenon in hype. Half Life showed what good AI can do for gameplay, but I think it was Oblivion that showed what AI hype can do for marketing.

vazquez595654 · Aug 3, 2006

I'll say, that makes or breaks this game, is the translation. Many developers like to say that making games for two systems doesn't compromise the design, but in all my years, I have yet to see that not be the case. If this game comes out for 360 first, it'll be time to bust out your shit detector because that means the pc version will probably be crap.

That said, I really do want this game to be good, given the fact I devoured System Shock 2, Deus Ex, and Thief 1.

Bradylama · Aug 3, 2006

You probably won't be too thrilled to learn, then, that they plan on releasing the Xbox360 version shortly before the PC.

Mantiis · Aug 3, 2006

Bradylama said:
You probably won't be too thrilled to learn, then, that they plan on releasing the Xbox360 version shortly before the PC.

For Fucks Sake :evil:

vazquez595654 · Aug 3, 2006

You probably won't be too thrilled to learn, then, that they plan on releasing the Xbox360 version shortly before the PC.

Yeah I know, that's why I said it.

It's just that I know a lot of people are getting excited about this game, and while technically making a game for two systems doesn't have to compromise either version, developers usually end up folding in some way. Controls, inventory, engine limitations, performance, design, something usually gets screwed up.

I'll give Levine a break though, given his teams reputaion, the type of game they are trying to make, and the lack of quality titles on queue.

Deacdo · Aug 3, 2006

The game being multiplatform is enough to quell my interest. Ubisoft seems to be the only company around capable/willing to do what is necessary to make a top quality multiplatform game...and even they are hit and miss. Irrational simply doesn't have the resources and Activision can be bastards.

Bradylama · Aug 3, 2006

Yeah I know, that's why I said it.

You said "if" as though it were an uncertainty. It's pretty much been confirmed already.

DarkUnderlord · Aug 3, 2006

elander_ said:
"We have a publisher who cares about this game, and they believe in this kind of game. 2K Games is the company that helped reinvigorate Elder Scrolls [with The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion] and Civilization. They believe in core games", Levine said.

Click to expand...

Simply patetic.

Wait... Elder Scrolls was reinvigorated with Oblivion?

Irrational Games is currently beavering away on Bioshock

Heh. Beavering. :chuckle:

Bradylama · Aug 3, 2006

Is that what Levine was actually inferring, or was it just CVG inserting what they thought made sense in context?

Gambler · Aug 3, 2006

the Xbox360 version shortly before the PC

Before the PC version? This sucks. (I'm very tolerant in regards to pretty much everything, except consoles and cliche storylines.)

Bradylama · Aug 3, 2006

The emphasis was on shortly, so chances are that both versions will be completed at the same time, but Bioshock will be 360-exclusive at launch for marketing purposes.

Console gamers have been hungry for a game like this as well, and chances are they want to squeeze that stone for all it's worth and encourage people to pay the extra $15 HD subsidy, before releasing it on the PC.

vazquez595654 · Aug 3, 2006

It's pretty much been confirmed already.

You said "pretty much" as though it were an uncertainty. Besides, you know as well as I do, that when it comes to video games nothing is ever really "certain".

The emphasis was on shortly, so chances are that both versions will be completed at the same time, but Bioshock will be 360-exclusive at launch for marketing purposes.

What does that really have to do with anything? Wasn't Oblivion in the same boat? That doesn't change the fact that they will probably have to compromise something. Can you really imagine a System Shock 2 type interface for PC and than seeing a completely remade user interface for the Xbox? I hope so, but I doubt it. Deus Ex 2, would you like another?

Cycloptis · Aug 3, 2006

I can't say I'm thrilled by the 360 version of BioShock taking some precedence over that of the PC. I'm wondering if the market is there for it on consoles, considering there hasn't really been anything to prove that there is.

IIRC, both versions of Invisible War combined were outsold considerably by DX PC, although I don't know how much DX PS2 sold.

Bradylama · Aug 3, 2006

A System Shock 2 interface wouldn't translate well for a gamepad, no, but then again Morrowind was developed for a drag and drop interface and it was a decent hit on the Xbox. What this depends on is whether or not the game has been developed as a PC port to Xbox or and Xbox port to PC.

Alternatively, it's possible that two different interfaces are being developed for each platform, but it's too early to tell since there haven't been many Q&As.

Besides, you know as well as I do, that when it comes to video games nothing is ever really "certain".

True enough.

Mr. Teatime · Aug 3, 2006

Console development is never a good sign. It's a severe dampener on any interest I might have in the game - currently I'm at the 'wait and see' stage, whereas when the game was announced I was pretty enthusiastic.

Jason · Aug 3, 2006

I'm at the stage of covering my ears and going "LA LA LA LA" whenever someone mentions the multiplatform issue. It would probably be smarter to assume it's going to suck and then be pleasantly surprised when (or if) it doesn't. But it's hard to think that when System Shock 2 was so wonderful.

Interview BioShock Q&A at TTLG

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