Release Artbook Anyways

[Kyle Chamberlin]

Hi 2kGames,

This is a small plea to the publisher/developer of Bioshock. As a fellow artist, I've been following the art direction of this game ever since it was announced. With the amount of detail already seen from the tidbits that have been released, I was hoping a full blown artbook was guaranteed.

The content that made it in to the LE edition is ok, but it sounds like a younger audience chose it. A crowd, with the game's M rating, will probably not be playing the game anyways. Nevertheless, I will be purchasing the LE edition due to my interest in the game and past enjoyment of Irrational's titles.

I'm hoping the artbook comes out, even as a separate purchase or along with the strategy guide (like the God of War 2 LE strategy guide does). I am dying for concept sketches of all the character and locations in the game, and would love the chance to purchase it all collected in a book.

- Kyle

[Club Heaven]

I feel the same way. An artbook is much more interesting than a figurine no matter how you look at it. I'd greatly enjoy being able to see at least part of how you guys plan and think the game's content. The features in Cult of Rapture about the shotgun and the Big Daddy's progression were excellent and seeing a ton more of that would be fantastic.

[smallsey]

yeah i have to say an artbook would be far cooler then a figurine.

[Bartekk]

Artbook owns figurine and Making of altogether. I can't believe people voted for that useless stuff.

[smallsey]

i dunno. a making of would be pretty freaking neat.i mean bioshock has been in production for what... five or six years now? it would have some interesting stuff lol

[Bartekk]

i dunno. a making of would be pretty freaking neat.i mean bioshock has been in production for what... five or six years now? it would have some interesting stuff lol

That's true, but we already got Making of - The Cult of Rapture site. It has all those cool things that I'd like to see in such a documentary like art progressions or articles like the latest one about water. If we get that stuff for free, why would anyone want to pay for it? That makes no sense.

[borgdrone89]

also, until a month ago, they weren't making a limited edition, so the making of DVD hasn't been in production all too long. (on a side not i think they start tomorrow officially)

[smallsey]

tomorrow eh? well well its all getting closer...slowley.

[splicer]

Give me an art book over a figurine anyday

[borgdrone89]

gimme both anyday!

[^ilovebioshock!]

i mean bioshock has been in production for what... five or six years now?

actually like 112 years if you listen to the evolution of bioshock podcast

[splicer]

if it was well made,I'd like a figure,my son has got loads from various games,and they just seem to fall to pieces or the paintwork peels off and it becomes an ugly bit of plastic.i dont think I'm that much of a fanboy,cos the periferal stuff really doesnt interest me all that much

[Kyle Chamberlin]

I doubt it will even be painted. Remember the Prey figurines anyone? It will be 2-3 inches in height and won't even leave the game box of most of the people that purchase it.

Why did people vote for a soundtrack of songs they haven't even heard of and a juvenile figurine? The making of DVD is great, but the artbook is a must. Please keep the replies coming in support of releasing the artbook if you want it!

[v.dog]

They could always make available seperately, like Raising The Bar for Half-Life 2.

[Jeff]

you know, it's pretty freaking pretentious of you to refer to the figurine as "Juvenile". An artbook would be neat, but won't display nearly as well as figurine, that's something I can leave on my shelf for the rest of my life and every time I glance at it I will be reminded not only of the awesome experiance of playing the game, but all the fun I've had here, on these forums while I've been waiting for the game to come out.

An artbook on the other hand, I would look through once or twice, then throw in line with the rest of my books and after a week or two I would probably forget that it's there. Beyond that, the cost of making the artbook is disproportionite to the cost of the figurine, add to that a figurine in the LE box will catch far more eyes than the artbook anyway.

Just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't make it "juvenile" and I resent your references as such.

[smallsey]

well...as long as the Making Of dvd has some concept art i will be happy.
nothing better then a game full of freaks, and theres concept art of stuff that didnt get into the game

[Raveness]

I have to agree with Jeff. A figurine is something that can be placed in a prominent area of a home, like a fireplace mantle, or a section of an entertainment center, computer desk or clothes dresser. If it's done well, it draws the attention of people, to which you could then discuss it and what Bioshock is all about.

An artbook would be great, and I hope it comes with the LE as well, but I couldn't get as much enjoyment out of it for the reasons Jeff stated. The material inside the book, with a little bit hard searching, could be gathered from the net anyhow.

[Kyle Chamberlin]

You could always put the art book on your "coffee table" when you have friends over.

[Raveness]

You could always put the art book on your "coffee table" when you have friends over.

I don't know what kind of friends you have, but mine are not THAT intellectually acclimated , and a figurine would draw their attention more than a book. Don't get me wrong, like I've said I'd like the artbook to come with the LE, but after my immediate interest in it gets shelved, the book is more suitable as a secondary piece for the unitiated, something you could follow up with after the figurine.

[MF9000]

What if they included an art "book" on the DVD? It could include all the sketches, etc. that you would like and it wouldn't be that difficult to do. No paper so it won't take up space on a shelf and if you like a particular picture you could print it out on photo grade printer paper. Although I would like to have the physical book, the DVD idea would be a good workaround. Just a thought.

[smallsey]

thats what i said!

[MF9000]

thats what i said!

Actually you said "some concept art" would make you happy. What I meant is have a full blown art book on the Making of DVD. It would be a separate file that would be the equivalent of a physical art book. That would keep costs down and make us all very happy.

[Corgano]

gimme both anyday!

Give me Bioshock, or give me death!

Well, not literally, of course. Ok, I like the idea of having a tangible book that I can put on my coffee table. It could sit there with my Discover mags about Einstein and Artificial Intelligence. This way, I look both intellectual and art savvy!

As for a figurine, I'm not that hot on the idea... Unless I build a suitable shrine out of the empty Big Daddy diving suits.

As for the soundtrack, I am glad that they have included it. Should be low over head costs as CD's are a dime-a-dozen. I have enjoyed CDs for other games and have no doubt that I'll enjoy this one as well.

Peace,
Cor