Bioshock PC Demo on Monday

[Wedge]

By ways of Cult of Rapture (http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/home.html) cometh the message:
The wait is nearly over. At 7 PM EST the BioShock PC demo will go live for you to enjoy. We will have exclusive pre-loading at Fileplanet. Set your watches for 7 o'clock!

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to download the latest drivers from ATI and Nvidia that will be available Monday for best performance with your video cards.

Time to check if the old trusty rig can handle it.

[TempestBlayze]

Yay Fileplanet. Now I can wait 2 hours just to start downloading.

Ah well. I just installed vista and I'm ready to go. I am glad they are going alongside with the video card companies to improve performance.

[Wedge]

The demo did release before it went retail! With several hours' margin!

I've got the 360 version pre-ordered, but I'm still gonna download this puppy and check how my rig handles it.

[Tricky Thumb]

4pm PST? Why the hell does it have to be the very same time I have to go into work.

Guess I won't be able to play it until midnight or later.

[flinxz]

I didn't like this on the 360, but I will give it a shot on the PC.

[Kagger]

So I heard it will not work with an X800? Is that true. As in, should I not even bother downloading it?

[Torgo]

Sweeeeeeeet

[Bingley Joe]

So I heard it will not work with an X800? Is that true. As in, should I not even bother downloading it?

Don't think so -- looks like it needs at least pixel shader 3


System Requirements: (http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=game&AppId=7670&cc=CA)

Minimum
Operating System: Windows XP (with Service Pack 2) or Windows Vista
CPU:Intel single-core Pentium 4 processor at 2.4GHz
System RAM: 1 GB
Video Card: Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 128MB RAM (NVIDIA 6600 or better/ATI X1300 or better, excluding ATI X1550)
Sound Card: 100% direct X 9.0c compatible sound card
8GB of free hard drive space.

Recommended
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo processor
System RAM: 2GB
Video Card: DX 9 - Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 512 MB RAM (NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT or better)
Video Card: DX 10 - NVIDIA GeForce 8600 or better
Sound Card: SoundBlaster(r) X-Fi(tm) series (optimized for use with Creative Labs EAX ADVANCED HD 4.0 or EAX ADVANCED HD 5.0 compatible sound cards)

Important Note: Game requires Internet connection for activation.

[MacD]

When a system only just hits the minimum req's, it is obsolete.

Damn. There goes my 2.6@3.01c, 6800ultra, 2 gig gaming machine. Well, at least for gaming it's gone :(

[BleedTheFreak]

When a system only just hits the minimum req's, it is obsolete.

Damn. There goes my 2.6@3.01c, 6800ultra, 2 gig gaming machine. Well, at least for gaming it's gone :(

Er, that still sounds like a decent rig, just upgrade the card to at least a 7000 series card.

Heck, get an 8500 GT (512mb) for $120.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133197

[Lima Beans]

I wonder if we are going to have the same huge freakout people did with HL2 when it required online activation.

At least this explains why the 360 version is all over the torrent sites, but not the PC version.

[TempestBlayze]

Just found this on NZone
http://nzone.com/object/nzone_bioshock_downloads.html

[jpublic]

Anyone know if nVidia's going to update the XP *and* the Vista, or just the Vista? They've been screwing us XP users over for months.

Nevermind, apparently they've gotten off their rear.

[Stormwatcher]

DOWNLOADING THE DEMO NOW, KIDS!
wooooooo :D

[KingGorilla]

Tom Chick at Quarter To Three warns that if you are already buying the game, you want to avoid the demo.

[TempestBlayze]

Yeah, as much as I want to play this demo and try my new DX10 out, I think I will wait.

It may be corny but I want that "pure" experience. I can wait a day.

[KingGorilla]

Not just that but, as cool as it is to play a demo, it is the first hour of the game. Do you want to replay that again a day later? That is why I really prefer multiplayer only demos, or tutorial demos.

[Philonious]

This reminds me that I am annoying with nVidia for not providing my 7900go with new drivers in over a year.

[bryan]

Time to check if the old trusty rig can handle it.

Good luck, my prayers go with you.

[NeuroMan42]

PC Demo is pre-downloading now, and my PC collectors set is paid for on Tuesday. I also have Metroid on the Wii prepaid too... finally some decent games for August.

[Spigot]

While I'm sure I can actually run this on my PC, I doubt it will run anywhere as nicely as on my 360. Sigh. And I'm the guy who screamed and yelled when they made console versions of Deus Ex 2 and Thief 3.

Best of luck to those with rigs that will run this well.

[Disgustipated]

Er, that still sounds like a decent rig, just upgrade the card to at least a 7000 series card.

Heck, get an 8500 GT (512mb) for $120.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133197

Um, no. The 8500 GT is a humongous piece of donkey shit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143070

This kicks the 8600 GTS' ass, let alone the shit-tastic 8500 GT.

[JediSanf]

Wait a minute, I gotta pay file planet for a fucking DEMO? Jesus Fucking Christ!

[felix]

Follow this link, and you won't need a pay account, just a free account.

http://www.fileplanet.com/176066/download/BioShock-Demo (http://www.fileplanet.com/176066/download/BioShock-Demo)

[BlackPete]

Important Note: Game requires Internet connection for activation.

......... wait, what? If I bought a single player game, then a bloody internet connection shouldn't be required.

[Heretic Machine]

......... wait, what? If I bought a single player game, then a bloody internet connection shouldn't be required.

Piracy protection, dawg.

Not that'll work. I'm sure someone will have a cracked version available within a week (if it isn't already up - I've heard people talk about it being up on torrents already).

Wait a minute, I gotta pay file planet for a fucking DEMO? Jesus Fucking Christ!

No, you'll just have to wait in a queue. Right now you can download (pre-load, actually) it if you're a subscriber and it'll be activated when the download officially goes up tomorrow at 7pm.

EDIT: Or can you pre-load it now if you're not a subscriber? Hm, I'm downloading something. Has "encr" at the end of it's name though, so I'm guessing this is a pre-load and not something I'll be able to use tonight.

[JediSanf]

Thanks for the url. I tried following three different links after registering and it kept coming up with subscriber bullshit.

[HotCod]

may as well set that thing downloading while i go to bed even if it doesn't work. I just find it odd if its a subscriber only preload download thing why do they have free sever links for it?

[Feltoar]

EDIT: Or can you pre-load it now if you're not a subscriber? Hm, I'm downloading something. Has "encr" at the end of it's name though, so I'm guessing this is a pre-load and not something I'll be able to use tonight.

Want to clarify how you managed to download it as a non-subscriber?

edit: NVM clicked the link felix posted and now Im waiting in a que. Beats not being able to preload at all

[HotCod]

felix posted this link up there:

http://www.fileplanet.com/176066/download/BioShock-Demo

if you signed in to a free account then you should come to a page that has 2 free sever download buttons, things waiting in line in the silly download manager thing... like i said this is a bit odd if its subscriber only to have the free severs

[KidNicarus]

Sweet, grabbing it now. This is perfect, this will fianlly decide what version of the game I want more. Do I want superior graphics and control (most likely) or do I want the experience of playing the game on a hi def tv with surround sound? Since its strictly a single player game, the ultra tight controls are not a deciding factor. Much more so if it had multiplayer, however.

Also, I don't think I've ever preloaded a demo before. Not a bad way to go, though.

[Citizen Philip]

After drinking too much rum, I find myself unable to make a comment that has any noteworthy value. I have pre-purchased via Steam, and I look forward to this title.

[felix]

http://www.fileplanet.com/179991/170000/fileinfo/
This is somewhat painful to see.

[Mozgus]

Um, no. The 8500 GT is a humongous piece of donkey shit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143070

This kicks the 8600 GTS' ass, let alone the shit-tastic 8500 GT.
Agreed. Avoid the mid range 8 series. They're fucking worthless. DX10 doesn't mean shit if the card can only display DX10 visuals at 3fps.

Everytime the new generation of cards hit, the mid-range line suck, while the high end line from the previous generation will drop to similar prices, and yet outperform the newer midrange cards 2:1 or more. So go with nvidia 7900 or 7950's, or go with ati x1950pro/xt.

[Tricky Thumb]

I have found out there are certain places out on the wild seas (you could even say bays) of the internet where the demo has been procured from Fileplanet without a lock that keeps you from playing.

[MrE]

So yea, I am a fileplanet subscriber, and I have the demo downloaded. BUT... it says "Waiting for key to unlock" with the Fileplanet download manager, and the estimated date says Monday August 20th for the activation day. Damn it, no love tonight.

[fndarkone]

I'm using firefox. I'm a subscriber. Do you have to have the fileplanet download utility to get it unlocked?

[cp#]

Fileplanet = 8===D

[mikeohara]

Pileplanet = no thanks.

I'll wait for Fileshack to put the demo up to download it.

[Phanto]

I was going to wait until the game releases but I'll guess I will be downloading this tomorrow.

[KidNicarus]

Nice. Halfway thru the download I got an error message telling me the server was reset. Awesome.

[Feltoar]

Did anyone elses download stop? Ive just gone back to the link and there are no more servers listed...

[Disgustipated]

Did anyone elses download stop? Ive just gone back to the link and there are no more servers listed...

Yep. My download got fucked up and the demo zip file was corrupted.

[flinxz]

I got it downloaded, but I cannot do anything with the file.

[fndarkone]

I downloaded the zip earlier without the downloader then i tried to use the downloader to see what it would do. it seems that they've pulled the files or something cause its not working anymore.

[MrE]

I'm using firefox. I'm a subscriber. Do you have to have the fileplanet download utility to get it unlocked?

Yes, it uses the download manager for subscribers. It has to activate at a certain time or after a certain time before you can play the demo you downloaded. Lame.

[Darkmatter]

Hmm unless I'm missing something I think they fixed it so non-payers can't pre download it yet.

[Feltoar]

Hmm unless I'm missing something I think they fixed it so non-payers can't pre download it yet.

There are people on the 2K forums complaining that its been removed even for subscribers.

[HotCod]

Nothing at all to do with bioshock on the whole front page at the moment, seems like they've nuked the whole thing because they messed up which is nice of them... fileplanet is awesome

edit
Looking about it seems they've pulled it more because people has found ways around the unlock, so they don't any one having there grubby little mits on the file subscriber or not... to late really but ah well

[NeuroMan42]

Downloading is done... just waiting till unlock. Damn... I forgot Super Metroid comes out today on the Wii Virtual Console. August is getting better and better.

[RandomViolence]

Why am I not surprised to wake up and find Fileplanet has pooched another release? If you buy this through Direct2Drive instead of Steam you're a damned idiot for supporting these fuckers.

[JediSanf]

sigh. I suppose it's a good thing that people so badly want to play Bioshock they'll torrent the demo.

[Shifter]

If someone does get a chance to play the PC demo, please post your thoughts here on control vs. the 360 demo. I can run both, but don't know which to buy.

[Bad_Buddha]

Why am I not surprised to wake up and find Fileplanet has pooched another release? If you buy this through Direct2Drive instead of Steam you're a damned idiot for supporting these fuckers.

I hope Irrational gets bent enough by FilePlanet's incompetence to release the demo to general distribution. I'm sure that money changed hands for the exclusive release, but if Fileplanet screws it up then the demo is not getting out to the people that Irrational wants to have it.

I really want to play this but I'm in the middle of Overlord, I'm dinking around with Beyond the Sword and I'm reliving the 90's with The Settlers 10th Anniv. Edition. I really wouldn't have time to play this... but I WANT it! :o

[KingGorilla]

The Pirate Bay has the torrent for the demo up.

[Orphiuchus]

yay. torrent moving at 14kbps. I can have it... well, a day and a half after those of you who use fileplanet.

Arg.

[KingGorilla]

I may be the only person here who knows what your Forum Name means.

[Orphiuchus]

Hey, someone has to hold the goddamn things.

[HotCod]

So yes, just finished the demo and while the game is simply amazing and stunning its only running just below medium spec with a low rez for me... even then the combat drags the framerates down making it a git to control... so yes... 360 for me, since i'd not be willing to lower the graphical setting any more using a gamepad won't be to bad given the lagging mouse and such... and luckily they are dropping the UK price Friday.

I think if i had a rig that could run it at top setting or close there would be no question that i'd prefer the PC, as it is i've been meaning to get an xbox and this gives me more than enough of an excuse... i HAVE to play this game its wonderful work of art

[Disgustipated]

So yes, just finished the demo and while the game is simply amazing and stunning its only running just below medium spec with a low rez for me... even then the combat drags the framerates down making it a git to control... so yes... 360 for me, since i'd not be willing to lower the graphical setting any more using a gamepad won't be to bad given the lagging mouse and such... and luckily they are dropping the UK price Friday.

I think if i had a rig that could run it at top setting or close there would be no question that i'd prefer the PC, as it is i've been meaning to get an xbox and this gives me more than enough of an excuse... i HAVE to play this game its wonderful work of art

What are your system specs?

[Mad-E-Fact]

Well, I just finished the demo myself. I have a GeForce 7600GS, xp2500, 2gb RAM. 1280x1024, all settings on max - framerate seemed smooth enough, although the last battle made me realize that for a shooter like this I might have to turn down the resolution down a notch for better aim. That's without the latest nvidia drivers for optimized performance.

[Shifter]

For those interested in the 360 vs. PC issue, check out the IGN review up in their PC section. They recommend Bioshock for PC over 360 due to better graphics and improved gameplay.

[Ajguy]

I missed the part about vid card requirements. Sigh... my x850 has finally met that game that it just flat out, cannot run. Guess I know what I'll be asking for come Christmas. I also guess I will in fact be getting the 360 version tomorrow.