Software systems used to develop Bioshock

[Little_Sister]

Dear Ken and team,

This is a (long) question for the developer team at IG. For a long time, I wanted to know about the software systems that were used to develop Bioshock.

I assume that some of you may have used C++ (?) to write some of the code for the game. However, the level designers and the AI programmers most certainly have used different tools that I would like to learn much more about.

I heard that Bioshock is built on the Unreal Engine 3. Maybe you would be able to tell us more about the meaning of using this engine and what this software actually helps you to do.

Last but not least, I am wondering what software was ultimately used to connect all the elements of the game, like the objects, the AIs, the sound, the music, etc.

And one more thing: Since some of you guys were part of the SS2 developer team: what software systems were you using back then for SS2 and what did significantly change for the development for BS?

Thanks, Lil Sis

[darthkiwi]

I'm also interested. I don't know a lot about under-the-hood stuff, but heck, I'm still interested.

[BigDaddy93]

i think they might have used a modification of the gears of war enggine

[Jeff]

I heard that Bioshock is built on the Unreal Engine 3.

the "gears of war engine" is actually Unreal Engine 3.

[Little_Sister]

Nobody else wants to know about this?

[Poison17]

Nobody else wants to know about this?

I want to.

[vrap]

I want to know too. I think we may see something in the making-of documentary, so we'll have to wait before we get answers.

[Freddo]

Since they are using the Unreal 3 engine I would guess the designers use UnrealEd to build the levels. It would be quite odd if they didn't.

The artists probably use Photoshop for the texture work. And 3DS MAX (or possibly Maya) for 3D models.

And I would guess the programmers use Visual C++. Visual C++ Express is a free download.

As for what software they use for sounds and stuff is harder to guess, but maybe Goldwave? The music is likely Cakewalk SONAR or Cubase.

And UnrealEd would be the program they use to "connect all the elements of the game".

Still, this is just an unofficial guess