Irrational's BioShock: Infinite revealed - all details, video, screens

News by Stephany Nunneley-Jackson News Editor

Published on Aug. 12, 2010

Irrational has revealed Project Icarus and the trailer for it is now live.

Finally, the name of this mystery game can be revealed as BioShock: Infinite.

Shown to press in New York last night, BioShock Infinite is a first-person shooter set in 1912. It introduces a new narrative and gameplay experience that "lifts players out of the familiar confines" of Rapture and sets them in Columbia, an immense city in the sky.

Former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt has been sent to rescue Elizabeth, a young woman imprisoned in Columbia since childhood. Booker develops a relationship with Elizabeth, "augmenting his abilities with hers" so the pair may escape the city which 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.

During the coming weeks, the demonstration given to the press will be released by Ken Levine and company, but just when is not exactly known just yet.

Note from Pat:

We've been advertising today that we were going to put an impressions piece from yesterday's New York event live at 7.00pm BST. At 2K's request, we will not publish this content until tomorrow, August 13. A 2K spokesperson has given us the following statement:

"While VG247 wasn't part of exclusive partners program for this reveal, we're sure you'll look forward to their impressions tomorrow. You can also look forward to an exclusive from VG247 in the future."

Here's some links to impressions and interviews regarding BioShock: Infinite from around the net:

The game is slated for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 in 2012. Enjoy the trailer below courtesy of Irrational's YouTube Channel, as well as the screens.

The PR is posted below the video in its entirety as well for further reading.

2K Games and Irrational Games Announce BioShock(R) Infinite
Creators of original BioShock(R) look to the sky in the next chapter of the award-winning franchise

2K Games announced today that BioShock(R) Infinite, a first-person shooter, is currently in development at Irrational Games, the studio behind the original BioShock(R) which has sold over 4 million units worldwide. Set in 1912, BioShock Infinite introduces an entirely new narrative experience that lifts players out of the familiar confines of Rapture and rockets them to Columbia, an immense city in the sky. BioShock Infinite is currently planned for release during calendar 2012.

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."

With the original BioShock, Irrational Games won "Game of the Year" awards from Game Informer, IGN, G4's X-Play, and BAFTA and redefined what players expect from a first-person shooter. "But when it came to begin work on BioShock Infinite," said Ken Levine, creative director of Irrational Games, "we only had one rule: No sacred cows. This game is both true to what people love about the series and unafraid to question every assumption."

Levine continued, "In order to explore the floating city of Columbia, we needed an entirely new engine. To bring Elizabeth to life, we had to build brand-new animation and AI systems. To create wide-ranging indoor and outdoor firefights at 30,000 feet, we had to rethink, rebuild and expand the BioShock arsenal. The only thing gamers can be certain of is this: the rules of the BioShock universe are about to change."

BioShock Infinite is in development for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows(R), and is not yet rated by the ESRB.