New Bioshock
New Bioshock
I enjoy the concept of a fresh Bioshock, but the challenge is that it appears to be facing the same development difficulties as the third game (one studio began working on it, then it was abandoned, and another (new) studio took control). Also, it's released by 2K, which is essentially EA's less capable sibling who doesn't have as much funding.
In the absence of Ken Levine, it’s definitely not something I’d support. While I don’t want to dismiss the value of the title, I’m unlikely to have strong expectations if he isn’t part of it. It could be another 'heist' aimed at players’ budgets. I’ve seen the following: Kelley Gilmore will lead the new studio, having previously worked at 2K studio Firaxis Games on games like Sid Meier’s Civilisation and XCOM. Those two titles didn’t stand out much in terms of storytelling, which is a key part of Bioshock. Perhaps I’m mistaken, or maybe this person has the skills to meet deadlines. Time will tell. But if this project ends up in Columbia, we’ve already experienced something less impressive than Bioshock 2 in terms of atmosphere. I really don’t want them to attempt something better than Infinite—not because it’s impossible, though it’s definitely a tough challenge—but because I believe a fresh approach would yield a more satisfying outcome. Otherwise, it could feel...forced.
It's a fresh team, yet guided by Kelley Gilmore from Firaxis Games, together with important contributors from BioShock's original development team.
According to Gilmore... "BioShock set a standard for what an engaging story and rich environment can offer in a video game. Players engage with it in their own distinctive ways, creating memorable moments. This will stay central to our vision for the upcoming BioShock, and we have many concepts on how to realize it. Storytelling has always been a standout feature of BioShock. We already have several talented storytellers on our team who will share more insights about the direction of the next game. Early in development, it will be crucial to hear from our audience and grasp their expectations for the next BioShock. We feel a strong connection to BioShock's legacy, as several team members have played significant roles in previous titles and now lead development at Cloud Chamber—Hoagy de la Plante (Creative Director), Scott Sinclair (Art Director) and Jonathan Pelling (Design Director)."
Our group also includes seasoned game developers from renowned series such as Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Star Wars, Battlefield and Walking Dead.
In our hiring process, we're seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds and expertise. I'm confident that the breadth of our game development background at Cloud Chamber will result in another exceptional BioShock experience."
Hopefully it's not just clips from the movie and a quarter of the gameplay...
You'd prefer the ratio they mentioned. They're keen on hearing your thoughts.
I enjoy BioShock. It's a shame we never received the original BioShock Invinite, but it was still enjoyable.
Personally, it seems like a well-crafted introductory section designed to ease your concerns. I can already identify a few minor issues with the approach being discussed.