The lighthouse is floating?

[Plasmid_Powrz]

i know this is a small problem and it doesnt matter much but is the light house like floating in the water or something? Or like attached to the ground on the ground on the bottom of the ocean?, i just dunno how it stays sitting like that in the middle of the ocean.

[Seamonkey]

Good question. It would have be attached to the sea floor somehow.

[BioShockWins]

WTF?!!?!

Why the hell didn't I post this when I was thinking about it like five months ago?!

well... at least somebody has my back :)

good question, obviously I don't know the answer

[BioShockWins]

By the way, Rapture isn't very far underwater, especially with what looks somewhat of an ancient reef or island left over, that is now submerged.

I assume that the Lighthouse is on this.

I just realised, Rapture is only about 18-25 fathoms deep. 18 fathoms is less than 0.025 of a mile. And 25 fathoms is only about 0.0284!

I guess since it's relatively close to the surface, it wouldn't be too far fetched about making it underwater.

[beta]

You still don't know for sure how deep he ends up going, because the video starts at about 18 fathoms. So you have a few minutes more travel time.

Also, has anyone tried going around the light house or anything of the sort? I'm not at home so I can't but I just wonder if its even possible.

[BioCrack]

i did i swam around it nothing to see, also saw the plane fully sink ,also went in to the fire, u dont die!

[BioShockWins]

You still don't know for sure how deep he ends up going, because the video starts at about 18 fathoms. So you have a few minutes more travel time.

Also, has anyone tried going around the light house or anything of the sort? I'm not at home so I can't but I just wonder if its even possible.

It starts at 0 fathoms, since he was indeed, above the water.
Then we see a sign for 10 fathoms. Shortley after 18 fathoms the Bathysphere seems to stop, and going on past that after the screen lifts, would make up for the 25 fathoms.

But assuming he never stops, it could be 40 fathoms, we just don't know, but that wasn't my point.
I just ment that it wasn't very deep.

[beta]

You're right, it probably isn't too deep. Why though? The technology then was very limited so I'm sure they weren't worried about being spotted in the middle of the Atlantic. I would assume the main concern for Ryan is for it to be deep enough so that it isn't visible by boat. Then, hope no subs go by.

[DancinSoFresh]

I'm guessing it's not that deep just because of pressure worries. I imagine it's pretty hard to build an undersea city in the first place, but to make that place watertight and all, must take a ton of work. I'm sure if they went deeper, the pressure would be too much for the materials used in constructing Rapture.

[beta]

I'm guessing it's not that deep just because of pressure worries. I imagine it's pretty hard to build an undersea city in the first place, but to make that place watertight and all, must take a ton of work. I'm sure if they went deeper, the pressure would be too much for the materials used in constructing Rapture.

That's another pretty good point.

[downzy]

they just sent a legion of big daddy's to build it

[Alminie]

but then remember the city was filled with alot of Scientists, they could have developed a new glass, and other materials that could withstand the pressures of deep ocean.

[^ilovebioshock!]

they just sent a legion of big daddy's to build it

i know your joking but big daddys weren't created until after the chaos rained

[BioShockWins]

I hate repeating myself, but I will for the sake of all (it starts with one WITH WOOONE!!! from a song btw)

possible spoiler below

The CIA and KGB have a deal with Rapture/Andrew Ryan to keep it a secret from the outside world. I think Andrew Ryan has now voided his contract, and that's why he fears you.

All speculation, but very good evidence.

[Vanrick]

the lighthouse is built on a ocean shelf. It's when the ground raises up to about 1 meter below the surface of the water then the ground steeply declines again.

[Cataclypso]

"Which one of those ******* sent you!"

[Cataclypso]

I hate repeating myself, but I will for the sake of all (it starts with one WITH WOOONE!!! from a song btw)

possible spoiler below

The CIA and KGB have a deal with Rapture/Andrew Ryan to keep it a secret from the outside world. I think Andrew Ryan has now voided his contract, and that's why he fears you.

All speculation, but very good evidence.
^ (very much too short)

[beta]

I hate repeating myself, but I will for the sake of all (it starts with one WITH WOOONE!!! from a song btw)

possible spoiler below

The CIA and KGB have a deal with Rapture/Andrew Ryan to keep it a secret from the outside world. I think Andrew Ryan has now voided his contract, and that's why he fears you.

All speculation, but very good evidence.

How did you come to this conclusion?

[Cataclypso]

Yeah cause he calls them *******

[actingbiz1]

Well, the technology used for Rapture is not what we actually had in the 1950's. So for them to even conceive of this idea means that those in this "game world" version of Earth have technology far beyond what we have today. To make an underwater city, bio-augmentations via stem cells and also to develop telekinesis? It's not to hard to believe that the world of Rapture wasn't to hard to master. As for the random lighthouse, it could be built on a raised area in the ocean and areas carved out to allow bathyspheres to travel about. I imagine it to be like the Sci-Fi show Eureka, but underwater.... And your Sheriff Carter fixing this whole mess. lol

[Delsana]

To this day we have over 50 outposts underwater that can fit about 40 - 50 people (a small board meeting) essentially some hotels are even venturing into underwater areas.

So it's not that hard to imagine it for today and the technology back then is definitely not what it is today.

They were inferior back then I mean look at the primitive construction of the drone, or you could look at the many projectors, and their are no computers everything is run by pnuematic, primitive electric, and water powered systems. Essentially theirs no giant generator down there powering it all, like we have, which means that it is indeed in danger of power losses.

Essentially also if we discovered the sea slug that could produce stem cells eventually we too might develop what they did, however no one but an idiot is going to voluntarily take a massive injection that rewrites your DNA, don't forget that as a Human race we are very prejudice vs even some of our own types of people, now imagine a Hybrid race involved with us? Heh we would have so many riots against them it'd be terrible.

Essentially however we have glass that can stand up to 70 fathoms of pressure, and we also have submarines that can go to a whopping 100 fathoms using reinforced bulkheads, and other forms.

Essentially we are vastly superior.

However do remember that I hate Humanity and will applaud the day an alien race comes and either enslaves us all or kills us all.

[RedWolf26]

Here's (http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/717/raptureentrenceconceptar4.jpg) how I think the entrance to Rapture is laid out.

Basically, the light house is not floating, but rather sitting on a large container, which is held up by huge support beams that are inserted into the ocean floor. That large container connects to rapture.

It's a bit far fetched, I know, but that's the best explanation I could come up with. Anyone agree?

[Thakog]

I remember somewhere in Hephaestus they mentioned volcanic vents, and there is a part where you use magma to boil off some seawater. It could be that the lighthouse is on some small protubance made my an underwater volcano. I don't think I need mention how foolish building a city on or near a volcano is, however.

[Grimhound]

By the way, Rapture isn't very far underwater, especially with what looks somewhat of an ancient reef or island left over, that is now submerged.

I assume that the Lighthouse is on this.

I just realised, Rapture is only about 18-25 fathoms deep. 18 fathoms is less than 0.025 of a mile. And 25 fathoms is only about 0.0284!

I guess since it's relatively close to the surface, it wouldn't be too far fetched about making it underwater.

Rapture is more than 1000m below sea level. There are giant squid and sperm whales.

[Techercizer]

There ya go!!

[Ashsimmonds]

Could it not just be a giant lift shaft?

[Techercizer]

Damn lack of edit!!!

It cant be floating BTW, as it would be disturbingly Top-heavy!

also, why make a giant light house!!!? any boat on the atlantic (or pacific was it?) might stumble on it, maybe even enter it!

[Techercizer]

double damn the lack of edit!!!! just remebered the Bathysphere encryption protocol.

but it would have been vulnerable before Bathysphere travel was restricted!

[BioShockWins]

It's on a continental shelf. I think, o.O

[Techercizer]

It's on a continental shelf. I think, o.O


I vote for this one.

I also argue it's massive size makes it vulnerable to random discovery and entrance by fishers and other seafarers back in it's times of prosparity!

[Grimhound]

Well, for definite depth of Rapture you have anywhere from 1000+ to 2500+ meters below sea level due to the fact that they do have giant squid and sperm whales in the ecology. Which would mean, yeah, it'd be a major structural impossibility in the real world barring that Ryan had a way to change atmospheric pressure.

Would've certainly made the scene where the plane's fuselage slams through the tunnel a bit more interesting. The entire thing would've buckled at the moment of impact and collapsed inwards from both directions. Squish.

Then again, you might just call the presence of squid/whales a fluke. (Ha-HA!)

[ConfusedCartman]

BioShock kicks ass on so many levels, what's the point of questioning it?

[BioShockWins]

Well, for definite depth of Rapture you have anywhere from 1000+ to 2500+ meters below sea level due to the fact that they do have giant squid and sperm whales in the ecology. Which would mean, yeah, it'd be a major structural impossibility in the real world barring that Ryan had a way to change atmospheric pressure.

Would've certainly made the scene where the plane's fuselage slams through the tunnel a bit more interesting. The entire thing would've buckled at the moment of impact and collapsed inwards from both directions. Squish.

Then again, you might just call the presence of squid/whales a fluke. (Ha-HA!)

I don't think it would be phyisically possible to go that far down, in only a few minutes.

I'm sure it was a realism flaw.

[The Dark Lord]

Off topic: Nice cat picture, thanks!

On topic: The Giant Squid was just a model, I don't think it was meant to tell you that there were Giant Squid around. Like the giant shark jaw you see, it seemed to be from a Carcharodon Megalodon, pretty much a giant extinct Great White. Nothing in the museum helps to determine depth.

[st_jimmy]

i know this is a small problem and it doesnt matter much but is the light house like floating in the water or something? Or like attached to the ground on the ground on the bottom of the ocean?, i just dunno how it stays sitting like that in the middle of the ocean.


I believe it is attached to Rapture itself

[Death]

Guys guys. Were forgetting all Ryan had to do is make ONE. Self contained section on a continental shelf and build from there with regular materials. He doesnt need to build the entire city at once. Do you think he started with all the shops and stuff? He probably had all the people PAY BEFORE even entering. He probably set his section up at the underwater volcanos and worked from there.

[iTimmeh]

...the lighthouse is sitting on a tube that lets the bathysphere go down, duh.

You know I'm right...

[Death]

Well we have seen the entire Bathysphere guys. It has its own propulsion. So. No. Its not going down a tube. The lighthouse is on a rock outcropping. Go ingame at the beginning and looking at the sides of the lighthouse from the water.

[iTimmeh]

Well we have seen the entire Bathysphere guys. It has its own propulsion. So. No. Its not going down a tube. The lighthouse is on a rock outcropping. Go ingame at the beginning and looking at the sides of the lighthouse from the water.

Oh that's right theres stone around it...hmm...they drilled a tube down a huge rock? Ha...

The light house isn't that far from the coast of Greenland. Maybe...25-35 miles?

[Death]

And if you look at a map theres a underwater volcano ring there.

[jayzen]

Here's (http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/717/raptureentrenceconceptar4.jpg) how I think the entrance to Rapture is laid out.

Basically, the light house is not floating, but rather sitting on a large container, which is held up by huge support beams that are inserted into the ocean floor. That large container connects to rapture.

It's a bit far fetched, I know, but that's the best explanation I could come up with. Anyone agree?

Considering the bathysphere drops straight down, that makes sense. They've even made decorative touches so people would have scenery on the way down.

I would also venture that when the film comes up is when you hit bottom. There's probably some ugly and strange machinery and some bare supports as the sphere connects to the horizontal means of conveyance.

I would guess they are radio-controlled and have AI kind of like a robotic vacuum cleaner (similar to the security bots) to move untethered through the ocean and into the docking port.

[iTimmeh]

Considering the bathysphere drops straight down, that makes sense. They've even made decorative touches so people would have scenery on the way down.

I would also venture that when the film comes up is when you hit bottom. There's probably some ugly and strange machinery and some bare supports as the sphere connects to the horizontal means of conveyance.

I would guess they are radio-controlled and have AI kind of like a robotic vacuum cleaner (similar to the security bots) to move untethered through the ocean and into the docking port.

I was wondering about that. How the hell do they move alone?

[Death]

They are basically a mini sub with a security bot Ai that is programmed to head toward a beacon in the city.

[Techercizer]

Yeah, Beacon-Seeking Minisub Bathysphere from a (VULNERABLE TO DISCOVERY!!!!) Lighthouse on a continental shelf.

btw how do we know exactally where the lighthouse is?

[Death]

Ingame coordinates later on.

[Techercizer]

God I wish I had paused it then or understood coordinates!

[jayzen]

They are basically a mini sub with a security bot Ai that is programmed to head toward a beacon in the city.

I hope it's a little better than the Secbot AI though...imagine the outtakes.

"I CHOSE TO BUILD .... RAPTURE!...

A CITY WHERE THE SCIENTIST WOULD NOT BE CONSTRAINED BY---"

(the bathysphere smacks into an overhead tube, forgetting once again where the stairs are)

<CRUNCH CREAK FIRE...backs up...vreem vreeeeeem vreeeemmmm>

[iTimmeh]

I hope it's a little better than the Secbot AI though...imagine the outtakes.

"I CHOSE TO BUILD .... RAPTURE!...

A CITY WHERE THE SCIENTIST WOULD NOT BE CONSTRAINED BY---"

(the bathysphere smacks into an overhead tube, forgetting once again where the stairs are)

<CRUNCH CREAK FIRE...backs up...vreem vreeeeeem vreeeemmmm>

Ha! Oh god I wanna' see that!

[Techercizer]

"I chose to build......what? no, track 15. *thud* down you idiots, down! *thud*, *ping* goddamn it reverse thrust, what's wrong with you! *thud* *pressure groan* Imbiciles! Reverse the primary thrust conduit! * big thud with shake* Ok, I'm going to say it slowly.......dddoooowwwnnnn....... *whoosh* ok, now take a 90 degree turn and head toward-*Big FWOOM* The city, ttthhheeee cciittyyyy..... no, not that button. there, just follow it in. Ahem, A city, where the Scientist would not be- NONONONO, NOT THE RED BUTTON, THAT'S THE NUCLEAR *ffffffffssshhhhhhhhhhhh* *blam*"

The city of Rapture explodes infront of you and a shockwave approaches and engulfes your Bathysphere, when the bubbles clear you're stuck in a control-less sub 1000 feet underwater untill you suffocate.


Moral of this story: No Gods, Kings, or Men, only Mexicans Immigrants.

[Techercizer]

I'd like to alter that last effect:

*ffffffffffffffffffsssshhhhh* *BLAM*

[eatdamuffin]

The coordinates that are on the gift are not on a continental shelf.

[Death]

They are near a underwater volcano. Its not on a shelf.

[Techercizer]

Those are the coordinates for him to hijack/kill everyone on, the plane, presumably it would travel foreward a ways before going down. It's supposed to be close enough to see the lighthouse, not an exact position.

also Volcanoes can turn into Islands, or at lease shallow areas.

[Techercizer]

Also, Im feeling sad cuz no one thought my Bathysphere monolouge was funny..... :(

[Baratos]

I think the lighthouse might be moveable. As in, you can retract it under the water. I bet theres a tiny bit at the top sticking out of the water with a camera, and if it sees somebody trustable the lighthouse rises up. The person running the lighthouse wouldve been someone working for Atlas, and instructed to rise up if a plane crashes nearby.

[Techercizer]

Well that solves the vulnerable issue, but I don't think they had that kind of tech for a fixed rig in the 1960's, even taking Rapture into account, also, if it was flotation instead of fixed rig, then it would be just plain mind-shockingly, bizzarely, horrifyingly top-heavy.

[ronnok]

There is a minor spoiler in this here statement.




I'm suprised no one has mentioned the thing that Fontlas says. He mentions something aboot burying the bodies and then goes on to say that that shouldn't be very hard considering they are six miles under the Atlantic. So Rapture must be six miles down. Unless Fontlas was lying. That bastard!

[Techercizer]

STILL SPOILERS


or Fontane could be a putz and just guestimate how far down they are. now based on that they're at least 3 miles down, but it could be anywhere farther than that, it's like a million miles from nowhere, it's just him giving a general figure to state effect

but they're at least a few miles under or he'd never make that mistake.

[ronnok]

"It shouldn't be hard to bury the bodies considering we're six miles under the Atlantic! Or five, maybe four. Possibly three but I doubt it. I think I'm gonna stick with five. Five miles under the Atlantic!"

[raptor2005]

yea, its actually not that deep, if you had the air capacity you may swim down to the highest point in rapture

[iTimmeh]

yea, its actually not that deep, if you had the air capacity you may swim down to the highest point in rapture

Pressure would probably still kill you.

[revengematron3]

It looked like it was built on a very small rock jutting out of the water, which they hollowed to make room for the bathysphere.

[The Dark Lord]

Figuring out the depth, you also have to take into account the amount of light from the surface. At six miles I don't think there would be any light at all. I looked into it and it looks like 200 meters is about as far as light can penetrate into the ocean (average depending on certain variables).

[iTimmeh]

Figuring out the depth, you also have to take into account the amount of light from the surface. At six miles I don't think there would be any light at all. I looked into it and it looks like 200 meters is about as far as light can penetrate into the ocean (average depending on certain variables).

I'm pretty sure most of the light is coming from the city itself.

[The Dark Lord]

That is true.

[conantheking]

Well Raptures biggest defence was secrecy. Even Ryan says so. But it was not that deep to be honest, you can cleary see the city in the bathysphere. You can clearly see the buildings across from you when you are actually moving your character.

It could never stay secret for long, there was too much lighting all around.

[Useful Idiot92]

Only read first page so if this has already been said, whatever.

The light house is probably part of rapture itself. The bathysphere is just quick way to get around. It's most likely the only part of rapture that reaches the surface.

[Techercizer]

Umm you see Rapture after you exit the Lighthouse, and there's nothing connecting them, sooo....

[Demitasse]

Rapture should have been built in the Hadopelagic zone. Most mystical place on Earth. Only a few people have been there.

[Nogard]

http://marinebio.org/Oceans/OpenOcean.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadopelagic

Interesting. And agree if the pressure could be controlled.
Even today, it would be a task.

[clonedprince]

I'm guessing it's not that deep just because of pressure worries. I imagine it's pretty hard to build an undersea city in the first place, but to make that place watertight and all, must take a ton of work. I'm sure if they went deeper, the pressure would be too much for the materials used in constructing Rapture.

:rolleyes: um dude...... rapture is not water tight. LOL :rolleyes:

[dlovett1234]

Could it not just be a giant lift shaft?

That's what I was thinking, but maybe the light house is right next to a deep crevice or fault. There are underwater volcanoes near Hesphaestas.

[frostedmushroom]

please people. solid facts: raptaure was impossibly built on the bottom of the ocean, the lighthouse uses the bathysphere to get you there. the lighthouse was obviously on a high elavation and you to a trip in a verticle elevator to get to a different location- they arent connected. its like going from one train staion to another. period.