A lot of short answers in this section as things were wrapping up.
What was the biggest challenge in Bioshock 2?
The original never sold overseas. Had to build a theme from scratch, small group from Irrational returned. Giving everyone an idea of what it meant and then keeping them up to their expectations. Lots of reverance, leads to lots of second guessing. Getting through that so 2K Marin could own it without abandoning the original.
Was it difficult to change the story without losing the spirit?
Yes. Adding new history to that canon was a challenge, taking seriously, writing team had to be VERY familiar so no contradictions, adding mystery to a city that many thought was just one story.
Does the PS3 create issues in development?
Would take a long time to answer, but it is tough to develop for 3 simultaneous platforms. Have to compromise strengths and weaknesses, but want the experience to be identical. No one should be rewarded or punished for owning a certain plaftorm.
Bioshock 2 was delayed. What improvemetns were implemented?
Few games get delayed to add stuff. For us, it was focused on balance, polish and taking a long look at the first two hours of the game so it was smooth for new and old players. Get in user testing and polish.
Multi did a lot of polish with a lot of time, added about four game modes.
Do any other authors act as clear influences in Bioshock 2?
Obvious influence of Orwell. Dangers of an all consuming state get articulated. Other influences are non-fiction. Dawkins and evolutionary theorists, Marx, David Pierce. Blend of fiction and non.
What made you keep a system where bosses are fought their health doesn’t regenerate.
Did NOT keep the system. Works differently on different difficulties, but Little Sisters can heal Big Daddies back up on Medium and Hard at quick rates. Jumping back in, they’ll be back at original strength. Helps for planning to keep them challenging.
Will the PS3 version have exclusive features?
Really our goal to offer the same experience across all platforms. No real exclusives between each.
Anything learned from B2 that wasn’t possible in the first?
Done a lot environmentally, such as the outside. Participation in the economy and ecology. Wanted it to feel like a return, improvements to shader and rendering tech, underwater fogging work a lot better. Done new things, developed tech to allow it.
