Why is BioShock Infinite so controversial?

BioShock Infinite proved immensely controversial upon its release due to its depictions of racism, American exceptionalism and religious extremism. With the announcement of a new BioShock game in the works, it's time to look back at the last entry in the acclaimed series: BioShock Infinite.

Is BioShock Infinite political?

Bioshock Infinite is a game that ultimately satirizes present-day racial discourse and the rise of right wing organizations. The game accurately depicts how an authoritarian politician can create and weaponize an ideology with expert use of messaging.

Why was BioShock Infinite so different?

Bioshock Infinite tells its story very differently, though it does share some similarities with the original Bioshock. The biggest difference in storytelling between these games is that Booker Dewitt has a voice, which he uses often.

What is BioShock criticizing?

In Bioshock, Levine exposes the political, economic and social contradictions inherent in Objectivism, as he did not believe that Rand's novel, “realistically portrayed Objectivism, as the story followed unrealistic characters”[4].

What is the political message of BioShock?

Bioshock has a multi-layered message that works on 2 levels. The surface level message is that Objectivism is stupid. While giving people free reign to do what they want allowed Rapture to grow massively it is also what lead to its even quicker downfall.

Bioshock Infinite Critique | After the Hype

What ideology is BioShock Infinite?

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 Infinite about religion?

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 BioShock Infinite story bad?

BioShock Infinite has one of the worst stories in video games, but it came from a place of well-meaning, one that hoped to depict complicated characters and themes the medium was too afraid to touch back in 2013.

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.

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.

Why is 1999 mode in BioShock Infinite?

The mode is an obvious reference to System Shock 2, Irrational Games' first title, which was released in 1999.

Which BioShock game is the longest?

Why is it called 1999 mode BioShock Infinite?

It's intended to be a difficulty that hearkens back to the "hard old days" of FPS'es, as Ken Levine explains: We call it the 1999 mode because our first game came out in 1999, System Shock, and it was a tough, tough game.

Are you the bad guy in BioShock Infinite?

Zachary Hale Comstock is the main antagonist of BioShock Infinite. He is the founder and theocratic dictator of the floating city of Columbia, as well as the leader of the Founders, Columbia's sovereign ultranationalist political faction.

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.

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 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").

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 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.

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.

What is the true ending of BioShock Infinite?

At the end of the game, Booker/Comstock once again approaches the baptism scene by the river and is joined by different versions of Elizabeth/Anna who have stepped into this universe and timeline. With their help, Booker finally realizes he is also Comstock.

Is BioShock Infinite a dystopia?

Conclusion. If we focus essentially on the narrative dimension, as Buinicki (2016) does in his analysis, BioShock Infinite can be considered to project a critical progressive vision through its dystopian narrative.

What are biblical references in BioShock?

Does Rapture exist in BioShock Infinite?

Rapture is a fictional city in the BioShock series published by 2K Games. It is an underwater city that is the main setting for the games BioShock and BioShock 2. The city also briefly appears in BioShock Infinite, and is featured in its downloadable content, Burial at Sea.

Was BioShock Infinite a dream?

The after credits ending just shows that the whole thing was a dream to convince Booker not to give away Anna.