Difference between revisions of "BioShock"

Revision as of 15:00, 5 December 2012

Bio Shock logo

BioShock is a video game created by 2K Boston (now Irrational Games) and released on August 21, 2007. The sequel to the System Shock series: the early P.C. games which blended cyberpunk, survival and horror with first-person-action and a highly developed RPG system that included the features of item crafting, research, skill and ability development, bio-modifications, psionic powers, and hacking. The game revolved around the ethical issues of man-machine interaction: heightening player immersion by exploiting the player's self awareness of the dichotomy between player as an external gamer with player as in game actor through the use of meta-games which were played on a hand-held game system in the virtual game space. The storyline and plot-twists in System Shock II are reused in its sequel Bioshock though with a different setting backdrop and a simplified or streamlined game-play experience. BioShock thus emerged instead as primarily a first person shooter that follows the survivor of a plane crash, Jack, as he battles his way through an underwater dystopian city called Rapture. Set in an alternate version of 1960, Jack must use genetic upgrades earned throughout the story to fight against enemies such as genetically mutated humans and militarized droids. BioShock was very well received by both the media and consumers, garnering a 96/100 average on Metacritic, a 9.7/10 on IGN, and a 95% on Game Rankings, while also selling over 4 million copies to date across numerous platforms.

Gameplay

BioShock was created using a modified version of the game engine Unreal 2.5. It featured excellent graphics for the time and had some of the most advanced water effects and physics seen to date. BioShock is a first person shooter at its core but also brings in elements from both role playing and survival-horror genres. Additions from the RPG genre include the ability to discover building materials and then create useful gadgets or weapons from them and upgrading one's character by choosing from certain skills and leveling them up. The survival-horror genre's contributions to the game include eerie environments, terrifying enemies, and maniacal characters with bizarre or grotesque motives.

By using the best elements from FPS, RPG, and survival-horror video games, BioShock is able to provide a unique gameplay experience. As players enter the world of BioShock, an underwater city called Rapture, the action immediately starts up as one of the games many enemy types known as "splicers" begin an attack. Playing as Jack, the player will face splicers, droids, evil scientists, and thugs as well as Little Sisters and their Big Daddy body guards. As Jack progresses through the game's story, he levels up by choosing skills from different power trees that can be used to dispose of more difficult enemies and traps.

Ethical Concerns

Video Game Violence

BioShock encountered a few ethical concerns with its intense, violent gameplay. It is a first person shooter that puts the game player in the mind of a desperate man, Jack, fighting for his survival in the dystopian city called Rapture. Jack uses numerous realistic weapons such as a variety of pistols, machine guns, and even a crowbar to take down enemies in any way possible. Many of the enemies were humans or mutated humanoids that died with realistic “rag-doll” phyiscs and splattering blood. Adding to the violent foray were genetic additions that Jack could buy that ranged from freezing and then shattering enemies to electrocuting them in pools of water. These unique powers given to the player offered many opportunities to creatively dispatch enemies which brought slightly more public clamor than usual to the violence in video games debate.

“Little Sister” Debate

Another ethical concern with Bioshock was its use of possessed young girls, known as Little Sisters in the game, to bring about tough choices for the player which could impact the remainder of the story. As the player progressed through the levels, there would be numerous encounters with Little Sisters and their superhuman protectors, Big Daddies. The Big Daddies would defend the small girl it was tasked with protecting to its death, at which point the player had a decision to make: either save the Little Sister’s life by curing her of her disease or kill her on the spot.

The twist on this seemingly simple dilemma is that Little Sisters offered a powerful serum upon their capture which allowed the player to advance much more quickly and powerfully by purchasing special powers with the serum. If a player chose to save the girl and set her free, he would get only half the serum that would be earned if the Little Sister was killed. Obvious backlash over the use of defenseless girls as catalysts for important in game decisions came about but the game was defended as a piece of art rather than address the issue directly.

In Game Objectivism

The school of thought known as objectivism played a serious role in BioShock's story. Objectivism, created and popularized by the author Ayn Rand, theorizes that man's purpose is to be a heroic figure within his own life and that one's own happiness through productive activity and achievement is

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