BioShock 2 zaps fourth dev house

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Jul 10, 2009 9:55 am PT

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.

BioShock 2 has several cooks in the creepy, creepy kitchen.

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.

206 Comments

  • NolliePop

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:56 pm PT

    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

    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.

  • ange10

    Posted Jul 15, 2009 1:59 pm PT

    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.

  • SonicEXE

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:35 pm PT

    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.

  • hannify

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    'story-driven'?

    didn't think bioshock had much of a story tbh

  • Romanmoga15

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 4:33 pm PT

    I hope I can skip the credits at the end lOl

  • sonynhater

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    hmmm, maybe they should push it to october 2010...

  • Jamesp2005

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 1:37 pm PT

    Was just announced that Bioshock 2 will be delayed till 2010.

  • Roggirek

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 12:57 pm PT

    Lol, 4 devs? Gonna be some LONG credits.

  • Spikedjester

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 12:43 pm PT

    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.

  • mayceV

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 11:49 am PT

    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....

  • abfackeln

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 11:46 am PT

    Sounds like the game is getting rushed. This is a recipe for disaster.

  • gunslinger_boy

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:31 am PT

    Bioshock was okay, but probably one of the most overrated games this console generation.

  • kvan33

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 10:08 am PT

    Too many cooks now. I will be surprised if BioShock 2 is half the game the first one was.

  • sieg6529

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:49 am PT

    I really don't care about online play, but I hope they can preserve the magic of Bioshock.

  • SupaTrupa

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 9:27 am PT

    All the kids gotta have their online game! Ugh.

    Bioshock was really overrated any ways.

  • drangel_jam

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:55 am PT

    They better have a great code. Online lag has killed way too many games.

  • CogSoldier486

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 8:09 am PT

    Bioshock two is gaming to be great. I just hope you can us the thompson and all the other guns, too.

  • Tzunoy

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:59 am PT

    I hope that Bioshock 2 will be better than the first but i doubt.

  • backatcha

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 7:02 am PT

    Ken Levine (Bioshock's original creator) isn't helping with Bioshock 2. Bummer.

  • Cowlord361

    Posted Jul 13, 2009 6:34 am PT

    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.

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