2K Games has today announced that BioShock 2's "extensive" multiplayer features will be created by Dark Sector developer Digital Extremes. The studio will be working closely with 2K Marin on the game, using its multiplayer experience to compliment 2K's single-player game.
"The fans asked for a multiplayer experience and we answered," says 2K president Christoph Hartmann. "With Digital Extremes delivering a multiplayer experience for BioShock 2 that features all of the things that make BioShock unique, we’re holding ourselves to a high standard so that we can deliver the depth and variety that fans of the BioShock universe demand."
Some hot multiplayer details have also been announced. Players will gain experience, very much like promotions in Call of Duty or Killzone 2. Experience will yield new weapons and Plasmids, and there will be a lot of character customization. Apparently, this is also where the "prequel" element comes in, as it's been advertised that players will experience the "fall of Rapture" in the multiplayer. Hmm.
Dark Sector actually had a surprisingly good multiplayer section, despite its weak campaign mode, so this could be promising news. It's also telling that 2K isn't willing to compromise the single-player aspect to stuff in multiplayer. What do you make of this fresh development? Good idea to bring in Digital Extremes, or should 2K Marin be handling the lot?
Oh, and that's the new official logo for the game in the header.
New York, NY – May 8, 2009... 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it has signed a partnership with Digital Extremes to develop the multiplayer experience for BioShock® 2. Under this partnership, Digital Extremes is working closely with the creative team at 2K Marin to develop a new and substantial element that enhances the lore and fiction of the BioShock universe.
“The fans asked for a multiplayer experience and we answered,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “With Digital Extremes delivering a multiplayer experience for BioShock 2 that features all of the things that make BioShock unique, we’re holding ourselves to a high standard so that we can deliver the depth and variety that fans of the BioShock universe demand.”
Multiplayer in BioShock 2 provides a rich prequel experience that expands the origins of the BioShock fiction. Set during the fall of Rapture, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a premier provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city of Rapture that was first explored in the original BioShock. Players will need to use all the elements of the BioShock toolset to survive as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture.
Key features:
• Evolution of the genetically enhanced shooter – Earn experience points during gameplay to earn access to new Weapons, Plasmids and Tonics that can be used to create hundreds of different combinations, allowing players to develop a unique character that caters to their playing style.
• Extend the Rapture fiction – Players will step into the shoes of Rapture citizens and learn more about the fall of Rapture as they progress through the experience.
• See Rapture before the fall – Experience Rapture before it was reclaimed by the ocean and engage in combat over iconic environments in locations such as Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites, all of which have been reworked from the ground up to deliver a fast-paced multiplayer experience.
• FPS veterans add their touch to the multiplayer experience – Digital Extremes brings more than 10 years of first person shooter experience including development of award-winning entries in the Unreal® and Unreal Tournament® franchise.
BioShock 2 is currently in development at 2K Marin, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows-based PCs. This title is not yet rated by the ESRB.
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Contest:
10:14 AM on 05.08.2009
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Why do people insist that all games must have multiplayer these days?
I wouldn't think that multiplayer would work for a game like Bioshock, but this description makes me think that, assuming that they don't fuck it up, this could be a very unique and entertaining experience.
-Though I must say i think I would rather my rapture experience to be solely single player, but if the MP is TEH AWESOM!!!!11!! i'll play it, this shouldn't raise any hate, since the removal of the MP option would be as simple as not pressing "A" or "X" at the MP option on the title screen.
I completely agree.
I still haven't played Bioshock...
Like it or not:
Multiplayer = replayability.
I never played Bioshock 1 more than enough hours to beat the game, however, if there was multiplayer(and GOOD mp at that) I would have played it longer.
If Bioshock 2 was to be SINGLEplayer only, I would have rented it oly and not bought it like I did part 1(I only bought THAT because of the gay nerd hype overwhelming my conscience).
Singleplayer = Rental = 2K gets less moneys = no more sequels = "gamers" bitch and moan about not getting more, and we have another (insert-game-that-fagboys-cry-about-needing-a-sequel-to here)
.......
rage-nerds like you make me giggle inside.
Like I said before, I beat the game. However many hours it takes to beat Bio1, however, add REPLAYABILITY and I will be on that shit longer.
What's the CHEAPEST and EASIEST way to add replayability that most developers take instead of making a compelling game?
MULTI
FUCKING
PLAYER
GTFO.
"What's the CHEAPEST and EASIEST way to add replayability that most developers take instead of making a compelling game? "
Interestingly enough, 2K DID make a compelling game the first time around.
That said, I'm cautiously optimistic. Working as a "plasmid tester" is an interesting solution to the "how do we make multiplayer work in Bioshock" problem. Don't know how I feel about seeing too much of Rapture before it fell, but this could be interesting.
"Don't know how I feel about seeing too much of Rapture before it fell, but this could be interesting."
-
That's where my theory comes in that this game takes place before Bioshock 1(you play as the FIRST big daddy? WTF were those huge mofos i was killing, called?), and Bioshock 3 will take place before Bioshock 2, LOST style.
Wait and see...........ive said too mu--
Fuck, I better stop buying books, movies and music and stick to using the library because none of those things have multiplayer.
I like how Rammstein approves of developers taking the "cheapest and easiest" route to extending their game. Way to go.
Also, this can so now be Heroes: The Video Game. Wait, did I really just say that?? Ugh.
That, and retard game journos who feel the need to criticize single-player games for not offering some kind of multiplayer, when it would very obviously contribute nothing to the game experience, nor the genre's landscape.
Solution? Developers grow balls and say "No". Standards don't automatically set themselves, after all.
Tacking on a half-assed multiplayer mode that people will play for a few hours and get bored will not add any replayability.
Secondly, games like Fallout 3 have NO multiplayer whatsoever, yet there are so many paths you can take that you can't get around to the first time, you have to play it multiple times to see all the story angles. That's real replayability.
Let's be honest here, Bioshock was as time consuming as well, a 5 hour game can be.
Why would i waste $60+ on a short period of time? It'd be like jizzing inside a chick and then having 18 years of regret/misery.
And just because YOU spent more time with Bio than Gaylo3[which I wouldn't even sully my gamertag by inserting that coaster (you can check)] doesn't mean that's the norm. Now since I dislike Gaylo, I can believe your claim. Say you were to spend more gaming hours on Bio than CoD4 I would either call you out or call you a freak however that would STILL not be the norm.
Look at an awesomely fun game like The Darkness and then look at the horribleness that is its multiplayer. At least Bio2 cant be worse than that ;)
That said, I'd try this.
Having beaten Bioshock at least 4 times, I can say that I would have loved a multiplayer for the 1st one and that I am glad they are actually putting one into Bioshock 2. I hear this "done right" comment used a lot. What game won't suck if it's not "done right?"
Ultimately, if they have the branching of abilities thorough enough to differentiate upgrading your character from everyone else and retain the good single player aspects (graphics, controls, sound etc) then the multiplayer will be a blast.
What I say vvv
Multiplayer = more sales. PERIOD.
I can't understand why you fangirls keep kidding yourself that developers give a shit about you(see: ROCK-BAND).
Ken Levine wants your MONEYS, not your adoration. Adoration doesn't make the payments on his new Ferrari.
I love this industry. The consumers are such gullible fools.
oh wait, my friend just backstabbed me in taking him down and took the adam for himself, what a dick.
I guess as long as nothing in the campaign mode is sacrificed, the multiplayer will be interesting to say the least.
it's true though that not every game needs multiplayer
Also RTCW is the game that started this trend of having multiplayer developed by a separate studio than the normal game.
sometimes having a seven year old yelling profanities at you constantly ruins the atmosphere. it's like being wasted and meeting a very awesome girl, but you come to realize she's gassy, stupid, and on her period. possibly pregnant, but definitely not yours. it's that bad, and she voted for ron paul. gassy being the least of those offenses.
I'll keep my finger's crossed.