Evil Avatar Live Interview - Ken Levine - BioShock

[Liquidize105]

I got down with Irrational's Ken Levine to talk a bit about the initiatives of a developer, the role of the protagonist, and of course the studios' sensational next-gen shooter - BioShock.

Let's try something different this time: For those of you who have a taste for something with a theoretical bend to it, start on Part 1 (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21811). To those who fancy something less and just want to know when the game comes out, hop on over to Part 2 (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21813).

So far I've focused a great deal of time and energy on the developers, the people behind the games. Which weighs more on your scale - the games or the developers? What's your opinion?





http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4904/250pxbioshockcoverod3.jpg

[TrackZero]

So far I've focused a great deal of time and energy on the developers, the people behind the games. Which weighs more on your scale - the games or the developers? What's your opinion?


I prefer to hear about the developers themselves, with some of the game mechanics/themes discussed throughout. I figure, I'll eventually get to know the game, but getting to know a developer isn't something you can "buy".

[Banacek]

I just came in my pants a little. God I can't wait.

[Codicier]

I just came in my pants a little. God I can't wait.

Can we go more than five posts without one of these.

I swear to god people, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF! :mad:


:p

That being said, Bioshock looks awesome....just not *that* awesome for me.

[snubber]

OMG. I just came in my pants a LOT. So much so that they can now stand up by themselves.

Was that TMI? :)

[ElectricMonk]

I can't wait for this game.

SS2 is my #2 game of all time.

[Codicier]

OMG. I just came in my pants a LOT. So much so that they can now stand up by themselves.

Was that TMI? :)

You....you will be first... :mad:

[KNOTE]

The only things I find interesting in developer interviews: What are their goals for the game and what new mechanics are they working on to support it. When people start talking about their main characters or their cutscenes, I usually click away. Also not interested in their love lives or political beliefs. For me, all that matters is what do they think is fun about their game and how am I going to do that fun.

[Deadend]

I found part one to be cooler than part two, as it was more of an interview, but part 2 felt more like a preview for the game... and I have read many a preview thank you very much.

So yeah, more interviews about concepts and ideas... and maybe ask what books they like.

[Jenga]

Developer by a long shot. I'm always interested into seeing what motivates these people to make great games.

[Adam Blue]

So far I've focused a great deal of time and energy on the developers, the people behind the games. Which weighs more on your scale - the games or the developers? What's your opinion?

I like to know what games inspire developers, and what kind of experience they are trying to give the player based on games they've played in the past. I'm not sure why, but that always interests me. Same with music artists. I always like to know what my favorite bands are listening to and what inspired them. But I've never held a developer in the same position as I have with a game dev. I think the difference there is with physical performance.

[eth3rton]

I have only seen one video (which was weird IMO) about this game and honestly I am not interested.....yet...

[Odyzen]

Liquid, I love the way you do the interviews. The style makes it quite enjoyable to read. I enjoy the developer reads much more as it gives a personable feel. It's awesome, thanks for the great job.

[dphrygian]

Sweet. I'm so looking forward to Bioshock, and Ken always impresses me in interviews. I liked the informal nature of this interview, too, especially this bit:

Ken: Hey, man! “From Deus Ex?” Didn't you ever play Shock 2? Sheesh.
Liquidize, I definitely like the developer-focused slant of your interviews. We hear enough about the games from the mainstream sites, and it's always much cooler to get some insight into the people behind the games. Also, your choice of interviewees has been excellent. :D

[archon]

I'm mainly interested in what will be new about the game that they're hoping will be fun, whether that's a new gameplay scheme or something else relating to the game.

[Johan]

Liquid, I love the way you do the interviews. The style makes it quite enjoyable to read. I enjoy the developer reads much more as it gives a personable feel. It's awesome, thanks for the great job.

Ditto here; good work, man!

This title has such great potential...oh man, it will be sweet!

[mister_slim]

I'm more interested in the developer, especially the process of creating the game and the thoughts behind the game. Especially especially when it's Ken Levine's thoughts behind the game. I can find the game's bullet points PRed into a six page preview any old place.

[megaman]

I still don't understand what's so 'revolutionary' about this title and the way he's tried to explain that away here hasn't helped either

[asimplehero]

Agreement to megaman. I've read about the Big Daddy/Little Girl symbiosis about 5 times now, be it preview, interview, or vid, and it doesn't seem as amazing as they want us to believe. Ok, these two npcs go around and if you mess with one bean you get the whole burrito. Wow. I get it. And those women enemies that they keep talking about look even duller.

[TrackZero]

I still don't understand what's so 'revolutionary' about this title and the way he's tried to explain that away here hasn't helped either

Was the word revolutionary used at any time? If not, you probably shouldn't put it in quotes.

[Shodan2020]

I can't wait for this game.

SS2 is my #2 game of all time.


Heh heh, how high do you think it ranks on my list? And what game beats it to #1 on yours? :D

[MrAnderson]

I am a long, very long, time lurker but this interview made me finally register, just so I could say, "Great interview."

While I am very interested in BioShock, I am more interested in Ken's thoughts on design and writing and was happy to see the interview take a lot of time on those subjects. Also I really enjoy reading interviews that feel more like an actual conversation rather than a staged "junket" style vehicle for someone to promote their product.

Overall great work Liquid.

[torrefaction]

Best interview ever. Really...there's actually meat to this. Very, very interesting.

Killer work Liquidize.

[cp#]

The game looks fucking fantastic, I suggest you all check out the developer demo play through

[Blade]

I'd pre-order, but why bother nowadays?

[Uniqueusername]

There's one thing that bothers me about this game- it seems like there may be only limited types of enemies. Just automatic defences and splicers, apparently.

In System Shock 2 there was a virtual ecosystem of enemies, all different types made for different reasons. And not just different aspects of the many- there were left over robots, escaped lab monkeys, etc... A lot of the fun was figuring out how everything fitted together.

This time, it seems like everything is more simple, and given away up front. Not sure I like that...

[torrefaction]

I don't feel like I have that little respect for these guys. Do you think a game like this is going to just give away all it's secrets in previews?

I mean, I could be wrong...but I doubt they're going to play all their cards before review time.

[Elysium]

I would love to get excited over this game as I absolutely loved SS2. However, I have trouble suspending my disbelief due to the fiction surrounding the game mechanics.

The whole plasmid/adam/genetic modification slant is great, but the way it is implemented in the game just SCREAMS gimmick. There is just something totally unconvincing in using Adam to deativate a security system, whilst using it in your genetic upgrades. What about "casting" a security beacon over an enemy to make them show up on the cameras? They try and explain this as a genetic modification, but it just dosen't sit well.

In SS2, everything was convincing because it made sense from a Psionic/hacking kinda perspective. In Deus Ex, the use of nanomachines efficiently explained the gameplay mechanics logically, whilst fitting in with the setting. All this adds to immersion.

I think Levine and his team have stretched the boundaries too far this time in an attempt to be original, and whilst I absolutely ADORE the setting they have created, I fear the gameplay will never be able to immerse me.

[Liquidize105]

Well, considering the discovery and utilization of this "Adam" as the origin and the source of power for the city (maybe), it shouldn't be such a hard sell.

It's still early to say, there's still plenty of stuff under the wraps.

[F3nyx]

I would love to get excited over this game as I absolutely loved SS2. However, I have trouble suspending my disbelief due to the fiction surrounding the game mechanics.

The whole plasmid/adam/genetic modification slant is great, but the way it is implemented in the game just SCREAMS gimmick. There is just something totally unconvincing in using Adam to deativate a security system, whilst using it in your genetic upgrades. What about "casting" a security beacon over an enemy to make them show up on the cameras? They try and explain this as a genetic modification, but it just dosen't sit well.

In SS2, everything was convincing because it made sense from a Psionic/hacking kinda perspective. In Deus Ex, the use of nanomachines efficiently explained the gameplay mechanics logically, whilst fitting in with the setting. All this adds to immersion.

I think Levine and his team have stretched the boundaries too far this time in an attempt to be original, and whilst I absolutely ADORE the setting they have created, I fear the gameplay will never be able to immerse me.This sums up my feelings on what they've revealed so far.

The overemphasis on Adam is, now that I think about it, very similar to the universal ammo fiasco from Deus Ex 2. In both cases, the idea is to liquidate a player's resources, allowing maximum freedom in the use of those resources. Perhaps that's one of the principles of so-called "emergent gameplay."

I also have some concerns about AI and general attention to detail -- in the narrated gameplay videos, Levine has seemed awfully proud of some not-so-impressive features. But that's stuff's less fundamental to the core concept, and will hopefully change during development.

edit: out of curiosity, are you the Elysium of GWJ (and, long ago, this selfsame site)?

[Elysium]

I agree Liquid, that it is too early to be able to discern the intricacies of how Adam works, as I'm sure there will be lots of story nuggets regarding this pillar of gameplay. I'm confident I will eventually get over this aspect of the game and be able to appreciate what undoubtedly will be one of greatest games ever.

Oh, and F3nyx, I'm not sure which Elysium you are refering to, and I haven't posted on this site before. Just curious, did my post in any way remind you of someone else?

[F3nyx]

Oh, and F3nyx, I'm not sure which Elysium you are refering to, and I haven't posted on this site before. Just curious, did my post in any way remind you of someone else?There was an Elysium who was an editor here a couple years ago. He went on to co-found Gamers With Jobs (http://www.gamerswithjobs.com). He also wrote thoughtful posts, so it seemed plausible that you might be him ;)