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Arkane Studios Working On BioShock 2
France-based Arkane Studios is aiding 2K Marin’s development of BioShock 2 by contributing in the areas of design, animation and art.
The revelation means that the Dark Messiah Of Might & Magic and Arx Fatalis developer has become the fourth studio known to working on Take-Two’s BioShock sequel.
“BioShock 2 is a world class project led out of 2K Marin that features involvement from a variety of premiere studios from around the world,” said 2K Marin producer Alyssa Finley.
“In the past we’ve been working closely with 2K Australia for our tech needs and Digital Extremes for our robust multiplayer experience. Today I’m proud to say that we’ve added another important developer to the mix. Under the direction and leadership of 2K Marin, Arkane is assisting in the creation of levels that embody the aesthetic and gameplay ideals that make BioShock such a unique and exciting experience.” The studio recently announced that it has suspended development on its ambitious multiplayer shooter The Crossing.
BioShock 2 will launch in Europe on October 30 and in North America on November 3. While the game is widely expected to release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, platforms were still listed as "TBA" on official Take-Two documentation released in late May, sparking speculation that the title could be a timed exclusive on one or more platforms.
Publisher Take-Two has high hopes for the game, with chairman Strauss Zelnick setting a target of five million sales.
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Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court 30 Monmouth Street Bath, UK BA1 2BW
England and Wales company registration number 2008885
I don't think that having a billion studios working on one game is going to deliver a top notch product. It often leads to a game that looks, feels and plays like a complete mess.
BioShock was a great game, but the story was complete (although the end was terrible). BioShock 2 looks exactly like the first game and while Rapture was great, after a couple of hours I was getting bored by its design.
Omegavader sums it up perfectly-Bioshock, whilst enjoyable, was NOT a patch on System shock 2- A game that judging by the claims many Bioshock reviewers made, none of them had played.
And now we have a sequel being patched together that NOT only is set in the same location, but is minus Ken levine, has a multiplayer that no-one really wanted or looks as if is going to 'work', sees you playing as a Big daddy that was the original prototype, Yet is FAR more powerful than the 'Finished' versions you faced in the 1st game? WTf? and is NO doubt playing heavily on the strength of the Brand name.............
5 million sales Easy.............And i say that as a sad reflection on the industry today, rather than my optimism over the finished game!
this is a sequel in name only.
once you accept that, you'll be able to adjust your expectations accordingly. i won't be buying it, though, regardless of how it's received.
Why do you say that? 2K Marin is made up of lots of 2K Bostonites who worked on the original. The only major difference is Ken Levine.
"lots" ? who told you that?
five people from 2K Boston moved out west to join Marin. that's not even a fraction.
Bioshock 2 is begining to appear as a Frankenstein project of sorts. I don't think the predecessor warranted a sequel (the story and concept was 'complete', so to speak) and the title is seeming more and more like a quick cash-in.
I'm open to being pleasantly surprised, though.
I'm thinking of it the other way -- it's a sequel to a highly-selling game that was perfectly scored more often than not. It looks like companies are finally realizing that making great games leads to money for them, so they're getting thrifty in order to make the game as good as it needs to be.
by giving out dev responsibilites to a bunch of different developers, few of which have anything to do with the original product?
Bioshock itself was just a lesser version of System Shock 2 with a very cool aesthetic. Games are deevolving still. If you thought Bioshock was cool, you aint' seen nothing yet...but a divided effort isn't going to amount to any of the greatness of earlier titles. Bioshock 2 may be cool but I am sure it won't be as good as its immediate predecessor, and certailny no match for the original shock series or their predecessor, Ultima Underworld, all of which were the result of a concerted effort by talented individuals...not a project organized by a publisher who wants to get rich quick and figures outsourcing compoennts of development will get it out the door quicker.
on that note, RIP Looking Glass.
I loved System Shock 2 - especially the story (and that you could play it co-op) - but I have to argue that Bioshock was a better game. The "interactive" elements of SS2 were all just in-engine cut scenes that gave you the illusion of being in control. In no case could you affect the outcome of events since the door would always close just before you got there or the remote monitor show you what was happening somewhere else. It was always a tease in SS2 and that grew frustrating by the end of the game.
This game is going to be such a frigging mess. The entire project just screams "ILL CONCEIVED"