2K Games taps Arx Fatalis creator Arkane Studios to lend "design, animation, and art" expertise to story-driven FPS.
BioShock 2 is due to hit store shelves on November 3 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, and 2K Marin has had no shortage of help in seeing that happen. Along with tapping original BioShock collaborator 2K Australia for the game's technological component, 2K Games signed on Dark Sector developer Digital Extremes to craft the game's multiplayer component.
Now, BioShock 2 has picked up a fourth developer, as Arkane Studios revealed that it will be lending "design, animation, and art" assistance to the title. Based in Lyon, France, with offices in Austin, Texas, Arkane Studios is perhaps best known for 2002's well-regarded Arx Fatalis. Arkane also handled the original edition of Ubisoft's Dark Messiah of Might and Magic for the PC, which debuted to a measurably positive reception in 2006.
"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," commented 2K Marin producer Alyssa Finley on the collaboration. It is unclear when Arkane Studios was added to the project, and 2K Games had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment as of press time.
For more on BioShock 2, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.
Tom Magrino has covered the games industry since 2006. He's been compared to Steve Martin by Ozzy Osbourne and Daniel Craig by Tim Schafer. His voice, heard largely on GameSpot's podcast, recalls that of Kermit the Frog. It ain't easy bein' Magreen.
I wouldn't say BioShock was overrated, and it definately didn't have a bad story-line. I hope they don't lose focus on the story-line with all these developers now. It'd be hard to top the first one's story :P As for multiplayer, I reckon that's a pretty neat addition, as you get to see how Rapture was before everything went to hell, and during. It's gonna be a must-buy for me, either way.
game is gonna be boring after a while! just gonna be a re run of number 1. nothing special i bet will be added, i bet they are just focusing on graphics and stuff, and not the plot. single player games need strong storyline, bio shock i guess had a OK storyline but it was hyped up because of it was a new approach to games. but if you do something over and over again it gets boring. Also from the sound of the interview with that crazy looking women that gave me the creeps, they adding some weak multiplayer in to extend the games life, and just focusing on visuals again, stating how they make the levels feel!!!! and 4 dev's Wat the heck!!! do you they really think the game is gunna be that successful when they added in a mp, so they are going to think because of the mp element everyone is going to buy the game, because some people didn't buy number 1 because it had no mp. i wouldn't buy the game when it comes out, because there something already out like it and it doesn't catch my attention that much but that's just my opinion. two many dev's involved for my taste, everything might not blend together well.
To say it's the most overrated game this console generation is BS. there are plenty of games far more overhyped than this. it's all based upon opinion. I personally enjoyed Bioshock very much, however Halo 3 i was thoroughly unimpressed with, played it once and never went back to it. It's all based on how you interpret the game. Another good example, MGS4, i have no doubts it was a fantastic game, but a 10? and GTA4? a 10? there are many more games that are overrated, even if only a teeny bit.
Lol I am suprised about everyone in the comments saying Bioshock is over rated. I always have thought this but I thought I was the only one. Good to hear people who agree. Yeah original I would have to say was about an 8.0. We will see what this turns out, if they nail multiplayer it could be good, and the story might be really good too, so time will tell.
well if the original creator isn't helping then it will not be as good as the first. I beat the first and I'd give it about an 8.0 (my opinion you don't have to agree with me) anyway sure the graphics are better and you are a big daddy but I don't think its possible for them to make this game better than the first without the original creator. and if multiplayer doesn't have a class system where you can splice yourself to your best play style I think the multiplayer ill be a drab yeah sure you're survivors killin each other in rapture but that would get old really fast. Also If the story isn't as good as the first or even half as good then I might not buy it. They set themselves an Impossible bar with bioshock 1 they should have kept it a single game the ending was so perfect. But money leads game developement these days so....
Bioshock was okay, but probably one of the most overrated games this console generation.
Bioshock two is gaming to be great. I just hope you can us the thompson and all the other guns, too.
When I bought the original Bioshock, I had all the faith in the world that it would be a great game. Now, after three playthroughs, my only regret is that I can't play for the first time again, and experience the confusion and fear that made Bioshock so compelling and fun. Whether or not I have the same amount of faith in Bioshock 2 is unknown even by me. For example, will that trademark Bioshock fear be there, when you're a huge big daddy that could rip someones body in half with one punch? I don't know. But, just like the original Bioshock, I'm going to keep the faith, and I feel that all other fans of Bioshock 1 should keep the faith that 2K instilled in them with their masterpiece of the strange.
@ MSTHEAT1 You obviously haven't played the campaigns on Fallout 3, Half Life 2, Mass Effect and more! If Bioshocks 7-hour(ish) effort made you forget online gaming and your family, these games have campaigns literally 8 times longer (and more engrossing), which will probably make you curse yourself for calling Bioshock "THE BEST videogame i've ever played".
@ MSTHEAT1 Please tell me that you are strictly speaking from games form this gen or a recent memory perspective and not a best game of all time standpoint
Bioshock was THE BEST videogame i've ever played and I'm a 47 year old arcade and original Atari/Pong era veteran. Until proven otherwise, people should line up in front of their gamestores weeks in advance of this new titles release. While playing the original,I forgot online gaming ever existed (I also forgot my family existed as well)! Can't wait for Bioshock 2!!!
I can't wait to play this maxed out on PC. I'm sure the story will be really good. I hope the multiplayer also lives up to the hype.
@Sheiko: You hit the nail on the head and made a very nice comment. Every person involved in Bioshock 2 plays a role in the success it will obviously experience. The first Bioshock was and is a great game. The second Bioshock has a lot to live up to, but with this type of hard work and dedication being invested into the game, I have every expectation that Bioshock 2 will offer an even higher level of quality than the first game.
As long as they each work on certain segments and not overlap it should be alright. I mean its not like microsofts strategy of million + 1 all working on same part of OS.
Errr...I'm not exactly sure this is a "good" thing? It's a never a good sign when one sees different developers working on a sequel for a stellar game. Bad things happen to good games.
Uh oh... maybe it should be pushed to early 2010 to iron out all the kinks and to give it a better release window.
Hmmm... This isn't a good sign. Especially since we don't know when exactly Arkane was recruited to help, it could've been yesterday for all we know... Even more so when 2K hasn't agreed to a press meeting about the matter... All I know is that I was greatly dissapointed in 2K when they announced a Multi-Player addition for Bioshock 2. Ofcourse, this is what happens when Ken Levine (Bioshock's original creator) isn't helping with the sequal and 2K Marin is in charge of the project instead of 2K Boston/Australia (The original studio's and staff in charge of Bioshock's production) We'll see how it turns out I guess...
I agree with skyjax. I don't think that anyone should be worried. Bioshock 2 will turn out amazing.
That's not a good sign. Four developers working on it? If they need more help they should just delay it. I'm pretty sure they don't want the game to be bad. But then again, I could be completely wrong.
All I care about is that they don't screw up and make a very short campaign that you can beat in 6-8 hours because of focus on multiplayer. Not only a short campaign but a very poor written one. Gameplay shouldn't suffer either. This game is looking fantastic so far, I wouldn't mind it being pushed back a little though if it goes down to it. It might be better if they did in the long run but who knows.
It's like that saying "Too many cooks spoil the pot". Hopefully this isn't the case but this news is a bit of a red flag. Something's not right.
I thought they would get better teams for all this. I'm surprised because BioShock was so great, and if I remember correctly it didn't take 4 teams. These guys are rushing and basically hoping to trip onto a paint can and make a masterpiece again. I'm wary about this.
4 teams for a game, I'm pretty sure they are behind schedule and the release date is way too close... That's not a good sign, 2K should take more time and release the game in 2010...
BioShock 2 will be a great game, the multiplayer will be awesome and the campaign will be greater than the first game. Canīt wait.
hmmm........ i dont kno wat 2 say. Im excited for it but hope they keep single player sweet!
The question I have is why did they go to DE to do the multiplayer? The multiplayer on Dark Sector was boring, and very basic. I see 2K isn't too concerned about multiplayer, after all.
If Arkane is involved then this will be a great game. Too bad that they are dropping their own project for bioshock. But....LONG LIVE ARKANE!
@LithuanianGamer You'r totally right, there are a lot better games on the market these days.
4 dev teams for a game that looks more like an expansion than a full fledged sequel... pretty extreme! Either Bioshock 2 is behind schedule, or 2K allocated too little dev time in the first place and now are pushing hard to make release date. Neither of these are very good signs.
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