BioShock
News, coverage and analysis tracking BioShock across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Dishonored director Harvey Smith thinks there's still room for big-budget immersive sims: 'When it really comes together and it has the budget behind it and the team, you end up with Deus Ex or Dishonored'
Dishonored director Harvey Smith believes there is still a place for big-budget immersive sims, contrasting with Randy Smith Evergreen's view that such games should have smaller budgets. Harvey Smith argues that when executed with sufficient resources and talent, immersive sims can result in acclaimed titles like Deus Ex and Dishonored, though he acknowledges the need to right-size budgets and avoid overly conservative design.
GTA 4 Was the Xbox 360’s ‘We Mean Business’ Moment Against the PS3
The article argues that Grand Theft Auto IV's release and subsequent exclusive downloadable content on the Xbox 360 marked a cultural peak for the console in its competition against the PlayStation 3. This period, from Fall 2007 through April 2008, is highlighted as one of the best six-month runs for any console, featuring a strong lineup of titles including Halo 3 and Mass Effect.
Denshattack! An Off-The-Rails Review
Denshattack! is a stylish and ambitious indie game that blends arcade gameplay with anime dynamics and a vibrant Y2K Sega Dreamcast-inspired aesthetic. Players control a ramen delivery driver who uses gravity-defying trains to perform tricks and race across a dystopian Japan, fighting against a tyrannical megacorporation. The game features fast-paced action, impressive boss fights, and a memorable soundtrack, making it a delightful and surprising experience.
Twisted Tower Review
Twisted Tower is an admirable attempt at capturing the majesty of BioShock, offering a decent shooter experience with a dash of atmosphere. However, its story starts promisingly but devolves in an unfavorable manner towards the end.
Synths, impossible physics, and an "erotic experience with a PS5 controller" - the side projects of game devs are a reminder creativity is undimmable
This article highlights the undimmable nature of human creativity through the lens of game developers' personal side projects. Despite industry pressures, developers are pursuing diverse creative outlets, from interactive fiction and VR experiences to physical art and hardware experiments, demonstrating a persistent drive to create for its own sake.
Darkest Dungeon DLC, a BioShock-style shooter with clowns and other new indie games worth checking out
This article highlights several new indie games, including DLC for Darkest Dungeon and a BioShock-style shooter. It also mentions Mixtape on Mac, a Tetris Effect-inspired pachinko game, and a platformer with randomized controls.
"Do questions like that create a self-fulfilling prophecy?”: Dishonored director Harvey Smith on the fear of asking if immersive sims are dead
Dishonored director Harvey Smith, alongside fellow leads Ben Horne and Ricardo Bare, discusses the current state and future of immersive sims. Smith questions whether the constant questioning of the genre's viability creates a self-fulfilling prophecy, while Horne emphasizes focusing on creative vision rather than chasing trends. They acknowledge the success of titles like BioShock and Deus Ex, and Smith pushes back against the notion that first-person games don't sell.
Former Arkane vets' new studio isn't going to try 'trend chasing', and in hindsight, thank God
Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, former Arkane developers, have founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. They aim to avoid chasing industry trends and instead focus on creating immersive sim games that excite them and their target audience, citing the continued cultural and financial success of titles like BioShock and Dishonored as evidence of the genre's viability.
Devs who spent 5 years making a BioShock-like horror shooter can't believe its Steam reviews: "I truly…
Developer Thomas Brush expressed surprise at the overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews for his five-year project, Twisted Tower, a BioShock-inspired horror shooter. The game is nearing the 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating threshold with 95% positive reviews out of 421. Brush described the game as a blend of BioShock's atmosphere, Willy Wonka, and mascot horror.
Snabbkollen: Vilka typer av förstapersonsskjutare spelar du helst?
A survey reveals player preferences for different types of first-person shooter games. Story-driven FPS titles are the most popular choice, followed by looter shooters and immersive sims. Arena shooters and extraction shooters received the lowest engagement.
Shack Chat: What is your favorite piece of physical video game media?
Shacknews staff members share their favorite pieces of physical video game media, ranging from classic console re-releases and collector's editions to rare cartridges and fightsticks. The discussion highlights the sentimental value and importance of physical media for game preservation and personal memories, especially in an era of increasing digital-only releases and subscription services.
Guillermo del Toro says "please, I beg you," make a less roguelike-y version of Dead Cells so "elderly players" can actually get through it
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has expressed a desire for a version of the roguelike game Dead Cells that removes the respawning mechanic, suggesting it would appeal to "elderly players." Del Toro, who enjoys games like Hades and BioShock, finds the repetition inherent in roguelikes to be a barrier to entry, despite appreciating the world and design of Dead Cells.
Fallout veteran's new BioShock-esque RPG is "first and foremost a dialogue and conversation-rich" game – and devs say if you don't like that, "might we recommend Doom?"
InXile Entertainment's upcoming RPG, Clockwork Revolution, is being designed as a narrative-rich experience with a strong emphasis on dialogue and player choice, rather than a pure shooter. Developers have suggested that players seeking a more action-focused game might prefer titles like Doom or Gears of War: E-Day. The studio, led by Fallout veteran Brian Fargo, aims to deliver a deep RPG experience with complex systems and engaging storytelling.
The toughest choices in PC games
This article explores some of the most challenging moral and narrative choices presented to players in PC games, spanning titles from Ultima 4 to Frostpunk. It highlights how games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, The Walking Dead, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt force players into difficult decisions with significant consequences.
BioShock-Like Horror FPS Twisted Tower Is Coming to PC Next Month
The horror FPS Twisted Tower, developed by Atmos Games and published by 3D Realms, will launch on PC via Steam on August 18th, 2026. Created by Thomas Brush, known for Pinstripe and Neversong, the game is set in an abandoned 1950s amusement park where fairy-tale mascots have become deadly. Players will explore five distinct locations and utilize toy-inspired weapons to fight enemies and uncover dark secrets.
SURVIVE THE THEME PARK FROM HELL IN TWISTED TOWER, COMING TO STEAM AUGUST 18
Twisted Tower, an action-adventure FPS developed by Atmos Games and helmed by Thomas Brush, is set to launch on PC via Steam on August 18, 2026. Published by Saber Interactive's 3D Realms label, the game challenges players to climb a tower filled with corrupted mascots and deadly traps in a theme park inspired by BioShock and Disneyland.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Security researchers have leveraged bad maths to get around AI safety guardrails, naming the attack method after one of…
Security researchers have developed a new attack method called 'BioShocking' that bypasses AI safety guardrails by leveraging flawed mathematical puzzles and nostalgic references. This technique was demonstrated on several AI agents, including ChatGPT, causing them to ignore safety protocols and potentially compromise user credentials. While OpenAI has reportedly fixed the vulnerability, other vendors are still working on solutions.
"An elevated lifestyle no matter what happens outside”: we need more horror games set in billionaire apocalypse bunkers
This article explores the potential for horror games set in luxury apocalypse bunkers, drawing parallels between real-world billionaire hideaways and in-game environments. It discusses how games like BioShock, Fallout, and Amnesia: The Bunker utilize enclosed, often decadent, spaces to create psychological horror. The piece highlights the marketing language of bunker builders like Vivos and SAFE, contrasting it with the grim realities depicted in Amnesia: The Bunker, and suggests that the concept of isolated, self-contained worlds is a recurring theme in video game design.
I already like the new survival horror Hellraiser game more than the movie
Saber Interactive's upcoming survival horror action game, Hellraiser: Revival, is already impressing critics with its mature themes and visceral combat. The game draws comparisons to BioShock for its environmental detail and interactive elements, while embracing the explicit and often disturbing nature of Clive Barker's Hellraiser universe. Despite not being outright scary, the game promises a constant supply of shocking moments and satisfying combat.
