Why People? Just Why?

[Feliciano2040]

Hello everyone, i wanted to ask, because i've seen a lot of people glad about the idea, just why would you want a prequel? to me this idea for Bioshock 2 sounds BAD, really BAD, i know a lot of people got hard for Fontaine but that doesn't merit a prequel to a game like this, why would we want one even? we know everything already, we know what's gonna happen, who is gonna die, who's gonna win, we know EVERYTHING, so for purposes of story i wouldn't like it, just asking, without starting a flame war, what's so great about the idea?

[karmeck]

You get to experience it. Even if you know "what" will happen, "how" would still be nice to know and maybe even be a part off.

[japester]

we know everything already

The answer is very simple: because we don't.

I don't know if you're a fan of science fiction in general, but I recommend an older show called "Babylon 5". Nearly the entire 5 year run was scripted solely by the series' creator, Joe Straczynski. And he provides great commentary on the DVD's.

I mention this because he was very involved with the fans during the production of the show and would often answer questions. A big complaint he got was how he would show visions of the future where we saw a main character die or how a war would end. And the fans would get angry because "we know how it ends, so there's nothing left to tell." But he, like any good writer, knows that its more about the journey than about the destination. And backstory can completely change how an event is perceived (villains become heroes and vice versa). We have only seen one second in the history of Rapture. To say that we now "know everything" is quite short-sighted.

If you were talking about 90% of the games out there, with paper-thin plots and cardboard universes, I might agree with you. But Rapture takes place in a living, breathing environment. Playing BioShock is like booking a touristy guided trip to a foreign land. We ate in a few restaurants and snapped a few photos and heard the major historical points from the tour guide. Does that mean we know everything there is to know about that land? That there are no more stories to be told? Hoo-boy.....

[Feliciano2040]

The answer is very simple: because we don't.
Playing BioShock is like booking a touristy guided trip to a foreign land. We ate in a few restaurants and snapped a few photos and heard the major historical points from the tour guide. Does that mean we know everything there is to know about that land? That there are no more stories to be told? Hoo-boy.....

Should i assume you didn't pick up a single audio-diary

Take for example Diane McClintock, it would be a great surprise, but it would become really dumb if she played a big part on the game, we already know she's gonna get her face scarred, reconstructed, she's gonna separate from Ryan, she'll go freedom fighter on his ass, and then she'll be killed by Fontaine.

Do you want me to give you the same example with McDonagh or Sullivan? or perhaps Cohen? or Steinman?

[dirge1313]

I have to agree with you, japester...How many times has a person visited a place or looked at an item, and wondered "Wow, can you imagine being around when this was in it's prime, or cutting edge technology?"

I, for one, would love to see Rapture in all it's glory. If not in a "prequel" game format, then a CGI mini movie (almost like video travel brochure), with the ending being of the New Year's Eve party @ Kashmir's...At the very least...

[hellknight_lizz]

BRING ON MORE COHEN!!! Heh.

I just want more Cohen. Im infatuated lol. He's easily my fav char.

And I CAN see your point about another in the series. Im hoping (if they did do one) it would be like silent hill- in other words, it wouldn't go ****. If there rushing it, don't. Im sure people can wait.

[Alexsutton]

Bear in mind that the audio diaries in Bioshock followed the storylines of about 5 people, in what will have been a city filled with thousands. The actual details of the 'civil war' in Rapture haven't been revealed to us, and there are already lots of possibilities just in that possible prequel route, we could be playing on either side of the war, we don't know just how it started, all we know is what we've been told in this game, which could be propaganda to rally one side of the fight.

[Feliciano2040]

Bear in mind that the audio diaries in Bioshock followed the storylines of about 5 people, in what will have been a city filled with thousands.

On regards to this we could explore areas of the city we didn't got to before, like the schools, universities, football fields and such, but even this works for a direct sequel

[sinlet]

Just lean back, wait, play it when it's out and then tell us if it is bad or not =P I'm sure there will be a lot more secrets to discover and areas to explore.

BRING ON MORE COHEN!!! Heh.

agree / >:3 Cohen for main character in Bioshock 2! (j/k, but it would be cool tho lol)

[Feliciano2040]

Just lean back, wait, play it when it's out and then tell us if it is bad or not =P I'm sure there will be a lot more secrets to discover and areas to explore.

I'm not saying that i wouldn't play it , it's just that it's not my preferred idea for a sequel.

[Asherah]

Because the only time we ever get to see Rapture it is only an empty shell of its former glory. This was a city inhabited by the brightest of all mankind and the very pinnacle of society and still it fell from glory into the sad dystopia we see to today. Wouldn't it be even more emotional to see Rapture at its best knowing that soon it would all be destroyed.

[37inf.div.]

the thing we dont know is the start who was who befor charecter quirks and a flesh to flesh experience, also more bioshock and we get to see rapture at its hight.

yes i am actualy back, the 37th has come again

[Gingerbeard]

@Feliciano
look, creating Bioshock 2 is going to take a rediculous amount of money and time. They wouldnt commit that kind of time and resources into making an entirely single-player game that nobody would like, especially the fans of the origional. Dont worry about it.

[Feliciano2040]

@Feliciano
look, creating Bioshock 2 is going to take a rediculous amount of money and time. They wouldnt commit that kind of time and resources into making an entirely single-player game that nobody would like, especially the fans of the origional. Dont worry about it.

Of course i know that, the end result will be good regardless of where it places itself on the timeline, nevertheless i don't like the idea.

And i certainly do not like Fontaine fanboys

[japester]

Just lean back, wait, play it when it's out and then tell us if it is bad or not =P

This is a frighteningly reasonable post. PLEASE stick around and contribute more. I really enjoy reasonable posts.

Feliciano,
As others have said, we've followed the stories of only a handful of people....out of an entire city. It's like following the story of Elliott Ness and Al Capone and then saying, "Well, that was great! But I guess I know everything there is to know about Chicago. That town is totally played out."

For all we know, the story we played a part in was just the tip of the iceberg. Rapture may have faced all sorts of other perils (during construction, during the early days, etc) that may have destroyed it long before the events leading up to the civil war. Just think of how many people wanted to take Ryan's dream down.

Between you and me, I'd prefer a prequel set only slightly before Jack's adventure. I'd like to see the city after the war but from another angle. Another section, perhaps, where something much more sinister than splicers or Big Daddies lurks. I love games where you have to team up with old enemies against a new, more dangerous threat. Can you imagine using some sort of social system to control several BD's and splicers, all teetering on the brink of insanity to shore up your defenses? Still as a FPS (not a top-down tactical game or anything like that), but using the NPC's more? THAT'D be great.

[Blue Lightning]

Wow this has been discussed at nauseum. Ok, I'll go round again.

A prequel is terrible with a capital T. It would fail, which is why no FPS games since Spear of Desteny had a prequel (and SOD doesnt count, that was 1992 and there really wasnt a storyline). A sequel is great because there is so much more of Rapture still unexplored, and endless possibilities. All of that would be wiped out for a prequel. I hate prequel. I even hate the word.

Also, it is good that what happend stays somewhat a mystery (not knowing all details). That keeps the conversation and theories going.

And exploring other parts of rapture can reveal new splicers, new plasmids, new parts of the city...new storylines.

Because the only time we ever get to see Rapture it is only an empty shell of its former glory. This was a city inhabited by the brightest of all mankind and the very pinnacle of society and still it fell from glory into the sad dystopia we see to today. Wouldn't it be even more emotional to see Rapture at its best knowing that soon it would all be destroyed.

Nope. Part of the charm of Bioshock is the fact the atmosphere is incredeble, and that is because it is a broken utopia and horrifying. Remove that, and suddenly the game loses it's beauty.

Ok, that's my 3 cents for the 6th time

[adidaq]

I think that, no matter what they do with the bioshock franchise, 2K will be apt to do a good job.
Bioshock 2 may be a prequel, a sequel, or something completely different; but so long as they keep in all the elements that made the original so fantastic, bioshock 2 will be an enjoyable gaming experience.
That's my humble opinion, anyway ^_^

[hellknight_lizz]

Im just thinking along the lines of the star wars films- they did the last few before the start? And they turned out pretty decent .

I agree with adidaq. Whatever 2k does with the bioshocks concept, im sure it will turn out great . Im just waiting for mirrors edge now, hehe.

[Endiku]

I doubt that 2K will fail to suprise us. And really, why would a prequel have to fit in with the first Bioshock? The thing with most FPS's (and all games), way back to the first DOOM, is the lack of a "hero". The reason why Jack has such a ordinary name and never speaks is because he is supposed to be "you".
The prequel will not tell you what happened, it will ask you the question: What would have happen if YOU had been there?
Save the city, destroy it, take it, escape it, let Ryan win, let Fontaine win, end as a mindless Big Daddy or a ratlike Splicer, connect it with the first game and ofc the unknown event.

[Atlas the Fisherman]

The answer is very simple: because we don't.

I don't know if you're a fan of science fiction in general, but I recommend an older show called "Babylon 5". Nearly the entire 5 year run was scripted solely by the series' creator, Joe Straczynski. And he provides great commentary on the DVD's.

I mention this because he was very involved with the fans during the production of the show and would often answer questions. A big complaint he got was how he would show visions of the future where we saw a main character die or how a war would end. And the fans would get angry because "we know how it ends, so there's nothing left to tell." But he, like any good writer, knows that its more about the journey than about the destination. And backstory can completely change how an event is perceived (villains become heroes and vice versa). We have only seen one second in the history of Rapture. To say that we now "know everything" is quite short-sighted.

If you were talking about 90% of the games out there, with paper-thin plots and cardboard universes, I might agree with you. But Rapture takes place in a living, breathing environment. Playing BioShock is like booking a touristy guided trip to a foreign land. We ate in a few restaurants and snapped a few photos and heard the major historical points from the tour guide. Does that mean we know everything there is to know about that land? That there are no more stories to be told? Hoo-boy.....

I couldn't agree more. Hearing about what happened in the Audio Diaries is one thing. Actually experiencing it, and watching the events unfold before your very eyes is something totally different. Plus it allows us to interact more with the amazing characters that we came to love from Bioshock (and maybe even some new ones). Personally, I am all for a prequel...if they are going to make a sequel, I say let it be Bioshock 3!

[Hector_Spector]

The purpose of any prequel is to tie up any loose ends and explore in detail the events that preceded the beginning of the game. Like many have already stated, we don't fully know everything and theres certainly much to tell and clarify. I for one welcome the idea of a prequel, since it will give us a unique, firsthand insight into the culture of Rapture and how it descended into chaos and ruin. I'll admit I was skeptical at first as to how they would actually pull it off, but now I see there is great potential for Rapture to tell us more compelling stories that were eager to explore.

[darkuredi]

Personally I think the idea is fantastic, we've seen rapture in ruins, why not before the ruins or as the place is spiralling downwards? As previously stated, we only know about the minority of the inhabitants, there is much more possibility there.

[Dr. Locke]

Very well said darkuredi

My guess is that you will be an ordinary citizen of Rapture, who is enjoying the good life. Buuuuuut, things go wrong. And, you have to escape.

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