How do i describe Bioshock in 10 seconds???

[qaz88aof]

I was looking at other another thread about how people are expecting Bioshock to bomb... and I'll admit... i kinda agree... sure anyone reading this will get it Day 1... but it doesn't seem too appealing to the casual gamer... And if Irrational think otherwise... i call them liar...

Sure word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool... but this game presents a unique challenge to the 'word of mouth' technique... it's just soo hard to describe...

I've got plenty of mates who play video games casually... i've lead many to purchase new video games (and even consoles) just by talking about them and demonstrating them at my place...

I'm really looking forward to Bioshock and was trying to explain it to a mate the other day... but he got turned off, maybe it's just me, but Bioshock is one tough cookie to explain in a few sentences. If i say... it's an fps, my mates switch off cause they think "yeah there's a million"... if i say... it's an alternative fps they think "sounds sh*t"... and if i say... it's an fps with rpg elements, with non-linear level designs and interesting character AI they think I'm trying to sell it to them (which i sorta was)...

I tried explaining different elements of the game, "you can hack security systems and use them against the enemy, you can use telekinesis to stop grenades mid-air and throw them back, there's not much ammo in the game so you really have to think and use the environment to destroy your enemies"... not only did i sound like a complete tool... but they shrugged the game off 2 seconds after i stopped talking... in the end, i came up with "Just buy it!"

The point is... how do you describe such a unique game in a way which appeals to the casual audience? (preferably in under 10 seconds)

An input from Elizabeth or any other 2KGames/Irrational employee would be welcome (go ask the marketing folk)

[splicer]

its not something that can so easily be summed up,people are just going to have to play it.words wont suffice. In the city I live in,even the game stores call it Biowhat!

[Jeff]

"It's a Shooter set in an under-water post-civil war failed utopia where genetic manipulation became the norm to the extent that the remaining residents are semi-super powered freaks of nature with a customization system that's complex at heart but simple in nature. It presents moral choices in order to draw you into the game as the PC, and should none of this interest you, you get to kill little girls with various weaponry"

Failing all of that, just carry a picture of a Big Daddy around.

[KnightTemplar]

"It's a Shooter set in an under-water post-civil war failed utopia where genetic manipulation became the norm to the extent that the remaining residents are semi-super powered freaks of nature with a customization system that's complex at heart but simple in nature. It presents moral choices in order to draw you into the game as the PC, and should none of this interest you, you get to kill little girls with various weaponry"

Failing all of that, just carry a picture of a Big Daddy around.

That would be the best thing to do

[Jeff]

That's how I've got my friends hooked, they bit on the way I described it but they're the type that cotton more to run and gun'rs, so I whipped out the picture of a BD and the reaction turned instantly to "Hells yes, I'ma play me some of that!"

[the noob 22]

i got my friends interested by expounding on the whole moral choices and freedom aspect, then i whipped out the demo videos on xbox live and asked how they could argue near revolutinary gameplay when it looks that damn good

[KnightTemplar]

i got my friends interested by expounding on the whole moral choices and freedom aspect, then i whipped out the demo videos on xbox live and asked how they could argue near revolutinary gameplay when it looks that damn good

"Hey guys! You know, you can bash little girls in that game!"

Just kidding

[^ilovebioshock!]

i have a simple way where you don't have to explain the game in words just say "hey come over my house and i'll show you the videos of it i will give you 20 bucks if you don't like it"DUH!!!

[splicer]

Thats exactly what I've been doing-minus the money!

[^ilovebioshock!]

Thats exactly what I've been doing-minus the money!

ah young one money is what makes them even look at the videos then ofcourse they could just say i don't like it and get the $20 dollars and when the game comes out they will go down to the store and be like hahahahaha i go an extra 20 bucks to help me buy this game it is all part of my master plan mwahahahahahahahah HA!!!!!!

[smallsey]

describe bioshock in 10 seconds hm?

it will be for the gamer who truley appreciates a game with more depth then just "look that guy isnt me lets shoot him about a million and one times"

it will be a bloody good game

it will also probably go the way of its predecessor System shock 2 and be overshadowed by the Halo 3 marketing. but its fans will be damn good fans. and it will be one of those rare games that will provide an experience, rather then just idle button mashing

[Corgano]

Appeal to there... skills.

You: "Hey man, I know one game you're never going to beat, Bioshock!"
Friend: "Whatever!"
You: "Bitz! These Big Daddy's got skilz!"

***Show them the video of the guy shooting bugs and the BD drilling him***

Friend: "That's sweet! I gotta get me some of that!"
You: "See? That's gonna be you! Getting drilled by a BD!"


Thus, you will be able to enjoy your friends being torn apart and blown up in various ways as they charge head long into the first BD they meet. Ahh, friendship, a great thing.

[Soulsphere]

Well, you could call it a first-person shooter with some extra freedom of chouce and roleplaying elements added in. Though I suppose that doesn't really mean much if you haven't played games that are similar.

[smallsey]

haha and theres your multiplayer. see who can annoy the most enemies and get killed in the most awsome ways. fun for all the family!

[borgdrone89]

"its a game that the developers designed to give the player more options, including, but not limited to: a large number of ways in which to blow S*** up"

[^ilovebioshock!]

BioShock+Water=pwetty

[ORBITER-1]

Byoshuck Veery Scerry Gnome

[Nihil]

Bioshock= kick ass highly innovative and original game with a horror survival/fps/rpg type genre.

[MacarenaRowBot]

Bioshock: Shooter set in an underwater dystopia.
A game of survival.
A game of moral dillema's.
A game of choices.

A few quick blurbs to tell people.
If they dont know what a Dystopia is, hit them in the head with a dictionary.

[Bioshock_FTW!]

Usually start off just telling them the story; every time I've done that i had them hooked before i even told them it was a kick-ass FPS/RPG hybrid, probably the first game to be released in DX10.

[Gabby_Hayes]

"Imagine killing people underwater in the lobby of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings with bees that burst from your arms."

"Real time mutation that affects enemy behaviors while shooting folks with a Tommy Gun"

"The little guy in your fish tank trying to maim you with construction equipment while the scary girls from the Shining drain corpses of mutagen you'd kill to have."

"Ayan Rand, Jules Verne and Metropolis under the sea with you trying to escape with your humanity and your life"

"Imagine high society mutated and after your life. You're trapped and have to kill your way out of the Rockefeller Center on the sea floor. Now the rich shall EAT YOU!!"

"The swinging 60's and you've escaped an ocean plane wreck to a bunker under the sea that's slowly being reclaimed by it."

"Enemies with as many flavors as you and the AI to turn on each other if it means they get to finish you off"

"Forbidden Science and it's abominations hunt you in the underwater hell of an
Art Deco warzone"

"Titanic with guns and hideous super powered mutants. Pretty design and logical levels."

Tried to make each 10 seconds worth of game enthused banter.

Hope some of them work for you.

[the noob 22]

"Imagine killing people underwater in the lobby of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings with bees that burst from your arms."

"Real time mutation that affects enemy behaviors while shooting folks with a Tommy Gun"

"The little guy in your fish tank trying to maim you with construction equipment while the scary girls from the Shining drain corpses of mutagen you'd kill to have."

"Ayan Rand, Jules Verne and Metropolis under the sea with you trying to escape with your humanity and your life"

"Imagine high society mutated and after your life. You're trapped and have to kill your way out of the Rockefeller Center on the sea floor. Now the rich shall EAT YOU!!"

"The swinging 60's and you've escaped an ocean plane wreck to a bunker under the sea that's slowly being reclaimed by it."

"Enemies with as many flavors as you and the AI to turn on each other if it means they get to finish you off"

"Forbidden Science and it's abominations hunt you in the underwater hell of an
Art Deco warzone"

"Titanic with guns and hideous super powered mutants. Pretty design and logical levels."

Tried to make each 10 seconds worth of game enthused banter.

Hope some of them work for you.

well someone has a flair for dramatic language. I feel kind of dumb now "Hey guys this is a cool, great looking game with nice gameplay. Buy it or it is my sworn patriotic duty to heckle you for getting viva pinata."