What inspired BioShock?

BioShock's concept was developed by Irrational's creative lead, Ken Levine, and incorporates ideas by 20th century dystopian and utopian thinkers such as Ayn Rand, George Orwell, and Aldous Huxley, as well as historical figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

What is BioShock based off of?

The excellent BioShock series is based on the novels and philosophy of Ayn Rand – the original game in particular.

What is BioShock Infinite inspired by?

History and theory, specifically the idea of American exceptionalism, inspired BioShock Infinite. Based upon a preview in which the first three hours of the game were playable, it was clear that the game would be as much about politics, race, religion and romance as about killing enemies.

Is BioShock based on Ayn Rand?

The game was loosely based on Objectivism, the moral philosophy popularized by Ayn Rand. In the follow-up, the philosophical overtones continue as you battle against the spirit of collectivism in the form of a leader gone awry. Speakeasy talked with Jordan Thomas, the games creative director, about the new version.

What books influenced BioShock?

It draws heavily from classic dystopian works like 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Also, the game was inspired by several other books, such as The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, Time Machine by HG Wells, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and We by Yevgeny Zamyatin.

The Philosophy of Bioshock [Ayn Rand, Rapture, Plasmids, Civil War]

Is BioShock influenced by 1984?

Ken Levine, creator of the highly acclaimed FPS BioShock, said that 1984 along with Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged was an influence on the game's storyline.

Was BioShock inspired by Atlas Shrugged?

In 2007, exactly 50 years after the publication of Atlas Shrugged, head game designer Ken Levine created Bioshock, a video game that can be seen as more than an action/horror “first person shooter”[3], but also a scathing critique of Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism.

What political theory is BioShock?

Rapture is the brainchild of businessman Andrew Ryan, who sets up the city as a libertarian utopia where a man is 'entitled to the sweat of his brow'. This ideology is libertarian in the extreme and bears a great resemblance to Ayn's Rand's Objectivism.

What is BioShock a metaphor for?

Bioshock questions the ability of those seeking power to serve their own interests, let alone the interests of those they have power over. Objectivism states that you should work towards personal happiness first, and the happiness of others second.

What religion is in BioShock?

Certainly it's a religion based on Christianity, but its practitioners basically worship the Prophet Comstock and see his child, Elizabeth, as some sort of savior figure. They also worship the Founding Fathers of America as a sort of pantheon of saints.

Is Big Daddy in BioShock Infinite?

Other Games

Big Daddy, specifically the Bouncer type once again, appears in BioShock Infinite and its downloadable content, Burial at Sea.

Was BioShock inspired by Dark City?

How does Dark City relate to BioShock? Dark City likely feels reminiscent of 2K's beloved 2007 classic because the two works have some points of inspiration in common. Proyas was inspired by 40s film noir, while BioShock director Ken Levine sights the architecture of the Great Depression.

Did BioShock inspire Fallout?

Fallout 4 Originally Had BioShock-Inspired Vault With Sentient Octopus Creature. Bethesda's Todd Howard shares details on a cut Fallout 4 vault that was inspired by BioShock.

Why was BioShock cancelled?

Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski says the film's big budget and R rating led to its demise. Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski has spoken about the cancelation of his BioShock movie that was in the works a long time ago.

Is BioShock a religious game?

Bioshock Infinite takes on a slightly different approach, with its perspective being more focused on Evangelical Christianity, American Exceptionalism, and nationalism.

Which BioShock 1 ending is canon?

Burial At Sea made the Good ending of Bioshock 1 canon just as Half Life 2 made the decision to work for the G-Man in Half Life 1. This does nothing to change anyone's enjoyment of the game. Only that one of the endings is canon and the others are not.

Why are they called Big Daddies in BioShock?

Big Daddies are extremely protective of the little sisters and will turn to brute force at the slightest sign of a potential threat to one. Likewise, little sisters are shown to be dependent on their Big Daddies and are conditioned to see them as parental figures (hence the name "Big Daddy").

What are the kids in BioShock called?

Little Sisters (originally named as Gatherers by the game developers) are young girls who have been genetically altered and mentally conditioned to reclaim ADAM from corpses around Rapture. Little Sisters are almost always accompanied by a Big Daddy.

Is Jack a Big Daddy BioShock?

However, in order to pursue Fontaine, Jack is forced to "become" a Big Daddy to trick a Little Sister into thinking he is one of their protectors. However, this transformation is not complete, as he does not have the suit grafted onto him (he never wears the gloves, either), nor is his mind altered in the process.

What is the controversy with BioShock?

This extreme view of exceptionalism was also criticized, mostly from the same people who felt that the game promoted white genocide. They believed that the game was insulting their patriotism, and trying to make them feel bad for having such a positive view on American ideals.

Why do people think BioShock is so good?

The BioShock franchise is at the forefront of storytelling in modern video games. They create lived-in worlds that on their own are fantastic and captivating stories, but they also add in thought provoking plots within these places of wonder that deal with philosophy, quantum physics, and more.

Why was BioShock so revolutionary?

Perhaps Bioshock's most incredible success lies in its presentation of player control and choice. The player character, Jack, is only heard in the game's opening scene. Beyond that the player is left to craft their own opinions, actively determining for themselves what's right and wrong, good or bad, moral or immoral.

Why is Atlas Shrugged banned?

Atlas Shrugged

While there is no evidence that the book has been banned in the U.S., many have expressed their dissatisfaction with the book's promotion of selfishness as moral fortitude, as well as its critical view of government.

Why is Atlas Shrugged a controversial book?

Because of Ayn Rand's uncompromising defense of the mind, of the individual, and of capitalism, Atlas Shrugged created great controversy on its publication in 1957. Denounced by critics and intellectuals, the book nevertheless reached a wide audience.