Sky-Line was designed as a thrill ride....

[watchman]

<a>http://bioshock.wikia.com/wiki/Columbia_Transit


</a><a>http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110623223218/bioshock/images/thumb/9/96/Highres_Screenshot_4.jpg/830px-Highres_Screenshot_4.jpg


</a>http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__...a_Transit1.png


Look at the curves - straight - sharp curve - straight - sharp curve


Almost as if it was designed to throw the freight/passengers around in an exaggerated fashion.


Similar for the sections of track that suddently shift to a steep grade without even a curve - that will jerk your teeth out even at low speeds.


So my supposition is that the whole sky-line system was more an amusement ride for 'exposition' goers and NOT meant to be 'showing off' American skill and knowhow.


They probably as a result had problems with 'riders' throwing up and the results raining down on other 'exposition-goers' on the ground.

[hunterdavidross]

No, they were just meant for transporting goods. They just have those curves to make it more entertaining for the player, not for the citizens of Columbia.

[Kirkreng]

To be honest. I think it is totally plausible that the citizens used some of the lines that weren't being used at the time as amusement rides.

[watchman]

Its an exposition 'show city' as at most such places a miniature train and/or trolley systems were provided.


That third picture of 'Columbia Transit' has a human loading area in the 'station'. No freight-only station Ive ever seen is organized like that.


No 'jerking around' (those track curves) would be appropriate for 'genteel' passengers

[hunterdavidross]

I'm sure it was used for transport, just not as a thrill ride. You may be on to something, it's just that I recall someone saying that Skyhooks were made after the city was built meaning that they were only built for transport by vehicle and moving cargo. Maybe those 'human only' loading stations were added on after the construction. Who knows, neither of us will have any idea until either the game is released or mentioned in an interview.

[watchman]

In the third linked picture the trolley system seems to have a station below the elevated SkyLine (see the double tracks right where people would get out to get onto the other syste)) and that whole station looks a bit too substantial for something added 'after the fact'.


Alot of fairs and expos have had a system like that - that people can ride and get a view of the exposition without alot of walking.


They might give a backstory talking about the SkyLine system or they might not

[mynameis]

Ken levine stated that it was orginally used as transportation, apperently kids had this great idea's of using these lines for stunts and tricks, eventually it became a mode of transportation.

[watchman]

"kids had this great idea"


20 feet to the ground is one thing, falling 15000 feet to be turned into paste is another.


"Evolution in Action" would probably thin out the ranks of those who "had this great idea"


Also consider they wouldnt quite have that 'safety' hand hook thingee weve seen Booker have

[precipice66]

Since it say's 'Columbia Transit' all over one of the stations (see second gameplay demo) - I'm guessing that means the skyline is a form of Transportation.

[watchman]

<a>http://bioshockways.com/screens/27.jpg


Looks to me like the designer of that skyway system might have been on LSD...

(heh, as if the rest of the place doesnt???)


</a><a>http://bioshockways.com/screens/24.jpg


Dumping cargo on the ground... Anyone who knows anything about railroads or freight shipping in general would be shaking their heads at even the pretense of reality in this game (but then Harrypotter-land in the Sky is what Bioshock has turned into)


</a>http://bioshockways.com/screens/16.jpg


They also seem to have som ekind of powered road vehicle on a track system as well (not sure if that narrow track thing is a cable pull system or is electric power rails for a vehicle the track guides along the roadway (having 'the track' stick up above the road surface kind of gets in the way of general use of that road to any other different vehicles -- a real system would have either premade inset ruts( and only that needing to be paved) for the wheels OR real track like a standard cablecar/trolley.


Heck, even 2000 year old Pompei had simple guideways in their city roads ( http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2124/2...c9c6c105_z.jpg )

[precipice66]

Yet again you lecture us on a topic as if you are some sort of authority in it (the intricate workings of railways this time) - what you fail to take into account is the skylines in Columbia can only be compared to ground based railways to a certain extent. The skylines have to move through an extra dimension and the configuration of the city changes constantly, hence the rollercoaster like appearance.


Also you are once again failing to realise that this is a fantasy videogame, it is meant to have fantastical elements otherwise it would just be Bioshock:Real Life. (AKA Bioshock: Zzzzz)


'Harry Potter Land' - not even going to touch that.

[choo1701]

watchman said:(but then Harrypotter-land in the Sky is what Bioshock has turned into)

Don't care. Like my escapism! Transporters, Stargates, FTL Drives, Unicorn Magic and Skylines FOR THE WIN! WOOP! WOOP! WOOP! WOOP!

[precipice66]

@choo - Amen Brother.

[laforzadimente]

Aww man. You just had to lump my interests in with the pedo ponies.

[choo1701]

laforzadimente said:Aww man. You just had to lump my interests in with the pedo ponies. <img />

(Well it was either that, or a joke involving the Mass Effect 3 ending *rimshot* )

[JoemommAK1200]

mynameis said:Ken levine stated that it was orginally used as transportation, apperently kids had this great idea's of using these lines for stunts and tricks, eventually it became a mode of transportation.

X-TREME skylining!...not a bad idea for the next X Games.

[japester]

Wait. Now I'm really confused.


Is it Magical Hello Kitty Land or Harrypotter-land in the Sky? You've used both, watchman, and those are two quite different magical lands.

[watchman]

choo1701 said:

watchman said:(but then Harrypotter-land in the Sky is what Bioshock has turned into)

<img />

Don't care. Like my escapism! <img /> Transporters, Stargates, FTL Drives, Unicorn Magic and Skylines FOR THE WIN! WOOP! WOOP! WOOP! WOOP!

Fine, but dont be calling it BIOSHOCK .....

[watchman]

japester said:Wait. Now I'm really confused.

Is it Magical Hello Kitty Land or Harrypotter-land in the Sky? You've used both, watchman, and those are two quite different magical lands.

With fantasy it can be both and neither at the same time ....


When I first saw BRICK buildings held up by hot air balloons that could barely lift a park bench I knew they were 'off the third-rail' and knew Toto and I were not in Bioshock-land any more.

[watchman]

joemommak1200 said:

mynameis said:Ken levine stated that it was orginally used as transportation, apperently kids had this great idea's of using these lines for stunts and tricks, eventually it became a mode of transportation.

X-TREME skylining!...not a bad idea for the next X Games.

Dont try this at home..... The 'fail' videos probably would get repetative (you seen one splattered body, you seen them all)

[watchman]

I was back in Rapture looking at the Trolley system near Olympus Heights and they were pretty delusional also -- the connecting viaduct between the plazas was about a two blocks long which was also the length of the trolley tracks that ended suddenly both ends.


The tracks themselves and the tiny caricacture trolley cars werent too bad (Ive seen small ones in europe that need to be that small to go around tight corners and very narrow streets)


It would have been nice if it looked like they actually went somewhere.

[watchman]

Solution: For all that damaged freight caused by tight SkyWay curves and the dumping of freight on the ground -- like in that picture ( http://bioshockways.com/screens/24.jpg ) ---- they just toss the broken stuff over the side and send for more from the 'tear' all the freight and food and supplies come from (from the Magical Purple Unicorn Continuum).


The final battle has a tear opening and a phalanx of Big Daddies pour thru and Evil Jack takes over and sails Columbia to a point in the North Atlantic west of Iceland and sinks it in the Ocean (to be salvaged 48 years later from the Abyss).

[watchman]

http://www.insert-coin.fr/media/00/01/2051161652.jpg


Note the right side of picture. I rest my case.


Railroads use transition curves (spiral easement) on transitions from tangents to curves and even superelevation for high speed mainline curves. Slamming freight and passengers around makes for a rather short railroad career.


-----


http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/wp-co...ck_skyhook.jpg


Looking at that skyhook thingee --- hope they have a 'nostrum' that helps heal dislocated shoulders....

[precipice66]

Re the pic from the first link - you've sort of shot yourself in the foot there - since it says 'Columbia Freight' all along the side of the containers - hence rendering the title of your thread incorrect.


Also, the speed at which Booker navigates the skylines may not be representative of the speed at which passenger carriages and freight wagons navigate it, ie. they may go slower.


Again, something that applies on ground based railways may not necessarily apply to the skylines. In a lot of ways they're a completely different kettle of fish.

[banky00]

This kids a prick.

[IGlegacy_Felonious]

banky00 said:This kids a prick.

Insulting forum member's is against forum rules and will not be tolerated - http://irrationalgames.com/community.../forum-rules-2

[precipice66]

I feel like I should put up a pic of Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver: 'You talkin' to me?'

[strawhatmoose]

Sky lines were built to transport cargo and such. And then people decided to use it as well. The curves and bends are to make the ride more enjoyable (for the player of course)

[watchman]

strawhatmoose said:Sky lines were built to transport cargo and such. And then people decided to use it as well. The curves and bends are to make the ride more enjoyable (for the player of course)

Its like those small portable rollercoasters they have at fairs (or small ones at amusement parks) that arent huge or fast, but with tight curves you get thrown around quite a bit so that it feels like a thrill ride. The stations they show in the pictures ARE passenger stations so the line was also meant for passenger transport (and not by individuals hooking on to it either).

But even for freight the engineering is as much fantasy as the rest of the game looks to be (which is inconsistant with 'realistic' weapons and such that they make some point over).


The players will get thrown around more to simulate 'going fast' when they really arent . When actually 'going fast', its hard to shoot things zipping by and likely the rendering engine wouldnt do too well either when the player moves quickly thru too much terrain (and you would run out of it faster).


Hmmm, if they want 'more enjoyment' they should have added a 'corkscrew' section of the rollercoaster - which is very popular at amusement parks, and would likely 'wow' the players even more. They probably tried to incorporate 'racing pods' to the game, but ran out of time.

[precipice66]

Yeah, you just keep on trying to suck the fun out of the game buddy.

[watchman]

precipice66 said:Yeah, you just keep on trying to suck the fun out of the game buddy.

You will thank me when they add the 'corkscrew twist' to the skyline thrill ride.

[watchman]

Now that they have 4 more months to improve the game, they can add yet another 'heavy hitter' - The Armored Train for the Skyline. Armor, turrets, flags, a plow, slowly menacingly chugging around to 'instill order' upon the troubled city.


Booker takes to the skyline to make his getaway and he thinks he is safe and this juggernaut is coming in the opposite direction....


In other places there are 'gates' that can be shut to close off passage on the 'Skyline' (like fences at an industrial plant) -- part of a few of the 'security measures' put in place by the Founders. I suppose the other side could have a few 'traps' of puting a rope across the 'tracks' to catch some unawares. Dynamiting the Skyline - yet another situations for Booker to handle.