In an exciting development, 2K Games announced yesterday that a third title within the Bioshock franchise is currently in the works. 

 

The publisher officially revealed yesterday that Bioshock Infinite is currently in development and that Irrational Games, the studio behind the original BioShock, which has sold over 4 million units worldwide, is involved. 

 

This is big news for Bioshock fans. Although Bioshock 2 was a success, many felt it lacked the flare and nuances that the original displayed. This was largely attributed to the fact that Irrational Games was not involved in the project. 

 

Set in 1912, BioShock Infinite will introduce a new narrative that lifts players out of the confines of underwater Rapture and rockets them to Columbia, a city in the sky. BioShock Infinite is currently planned for release during calendar 2012.

 

According to 2k Game’s release on the announcement Columbia was “originally conceived as a floating symbol of American ideals at a time when the United States was emerging as a world power, Columbia is dispatched to distant shores with great fanfare by a captivated public. What begins as a brand new endeavor of hope turns drastically wrong as the city soon disappears into the clouds to whereabouts unknown.”

 

The player assumes the role of former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt, sent to the lost city to rescue Elizabeth, a young woman imprisoned there since childhood. He develops a relationship with Elizabeth, augmenting his abilities with hers so the pair may escape from a city that is literally falling from the sky. DeWitt must learn to fight foes in high-speed Sky-Line battles, engage in combat both indoors and amongst the clouds, and harness the power of dozens of new weapons and abilities.

 

“We are excited to expand the world of BioShock, which is one of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and beloved franchises,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We believe that Irrational Games will lend their meticulous attention to detail and unique storytelling expertise to make BioShock Infinite an incredible entertainment experience that will immerse new and diehard fans of BioShock alike.”

 

As fans of the Bioshock franchise, we at TechSmart have to admit that we are very excited to see the narrative lifted out of the oceans and into the skies in 2012.