Irrational Games was up to something, we’ve known that for quite a while. The company, known for creating the original BioShock, has remained mum on just what it had in store, but all is now revealed as the company, along with 2K Games, today announced BioShock Infinite. The game is slated for a 2012 release on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
This new BioShock game, developed by the team that created the original (BioShock 2 was developed by several other studios), takes place before the events of Rapture – the underwater failed utopia. The sky is the setting for BioShock Infinite, or better put, Columbia, a city in the sky.
Columbia was conceived as a floating symbol of American ideal as the US was emerging as a world power, according to today’s press release. But this floating city soon finds trouble as it disappears into the clouds to the unknown.
Players will assume the role of Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent who was sent to Columbia to rescue Elizabeth, a young woman imprisoned in the city since her childhood. You’ll augment your powers with Elizabeth as you help her escape the floating city that is literally falling from the sky.
You can expect high-intensity battles, including Sky-Line battles, and combat indoors and amongst the clouds. You’ll get plenty of powers and weapons to help you along the way.
“We are excited to expand the world of BioShock, which is one of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and beloved franchises,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We believe that Irrational Games will lend their meticulous attention to detail and unique storytelling expertise to make BioShock Infinite an incredible entertainment experience that will immerse new and diehard fans of BioShock alike.”
Creative Director of Irrational Games, Ken Levine, said in a statement, “we only had one rule (with BioShock Infinite): No sacred cows. This game is both true to what people love about the series and unafraid to question every assumption.”
Levine continued, “In order to explore the floating city of Columbia, we needed an entirely new engine. To bring Elizabeth to life, we had to build brand-new animation and AI systems. To create wide-ranging indoor and outdoor firefights at 30,000 feet, we had to rethink, rebuild and expand the BioShock arsenal. The only thing gamers can be certain of is this: the rules of the BioShock universe are about to change.”
Check out the trailer here.
