BioShock has 'potential' for numerous sequels, suggests 2K boss

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jan 7th 2009 at 12:26PM }

2K Global President Christoph Hartmann says BioShock could have plenty of sequels, but he promises the company won't "cash in" on the franchise. Speaking with MCV, Hartmann states that with the "right twist of innovation," the series has the potential to span, oh, six parts ... "as Star Wars did." (BioShock 6: Revenge of the Lil' Sithsters, anyone?)

Although Ken Levine might be giggling all the way to the bank with sequel royalties, we'd like to see how BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams turns out before we get excited about a six-part aquatic epic. Also, wasn't Star Wars just a trilogy? Please, join us in our denial.

Tags: 2k-games, bioshock, bioshock-2, christoph-hartmann, ken-levine, sequel

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

nonpareil @ Jan 7th 2009 12:33PM

I was a fan of the original Bioshock, but only to a point. After a while, the combat became repetitive and the central idea got a little tired. I'm happy to play a sequel, but I hope they take some risks (as they did with System Shock), otherwise it will get stale fast.

Henry @ Jan 7th 2009 2:33PM

I agree - I loved the game on the first playthrough, but when I tried to play it again - I only got about an hour in before I got bored.

mynk @ Jan 7th 2009 10:48PM

i can agree, but for readers that have not played it yet (are there still people like that) we must note that the first play through was very much worth it! and even if you find yourself a little bored and doing repetitive things in your first playthrouhg, the plot twists will make up for it, follow all the side stories, journals, and stuff thats going on... and you'll have an experience of a lifetime.

Christian @ Jan 7th 2009 12:34PM

Yes.....cause we all know how great the 3 most recent star wars movies turned out....looking forward to Jar Jar Little Sister

Hashbrown Hunter @ Jan 7th 2009 1:20PM

Hey I liked Episode 3. And Episode 2 was just poorly executed.

meist3r @ Jan 7th 2009 1:23PM

I wish JarJar was at least poorly executed ...

baby sea tuna @ Jan 7th 2009 1:29PM

Episode III: Revenge of the Diminished Expectations.

It was only acceptable because the previous two were so unbearably eye-rapingly awful.

DangerMouse @ Jan 7th 2009 1:40PM

I'll take JarJar over grown-up Anakin anyday. As stupid as the JarJar Binks character was, at least he had personality. Anakin was so damn wooden that i would cringe ever time he tried to act out a facial expression or emotion other than making a blank stare. They all suck, but looking back on them now, i'd have an easier time sitting through the first one.

BigD145 @ Jan 7th 2009 2:38PM

I'd rest easier knowing 1-3 had never been made and just sticking with the "unedited" and "unmodernized" 4-6.

RiccochetJ @ Jan 7th 2009 12:35PM

If they can keep a compelling story going, then I'm all for it.

Just don't let it devolve into something where I want to stab the developer with a spork.

NaeemTHM @ Jan 7th 2009 12:38PM

BioShock 2: Electric Boogaloo?! Sweet!

Shangheli @ Jan 7th 2009 12:40PM

So a prequel is not cashing in?

mynk @ Jan 7th 2009 10:50PM

i want a prequel,
and really, this is one of the cases where my respect points for the developer go up upon making another game, than boo for them for cashing in.
infact they might get enough respect points to level up and make another game! :P

Deck @ Jan 7th 2009 12:41PM

Isn't it a little early to be talking about six sequels? How about 2k just concentrate on the one they are making now instead.

But it could be good if they kept the story well done, how they would do that over 6 I don't know. Especially if they do it the star wars way and after 3, create "prequels" that are oh.. not so great.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 7th 2009 12:43PM

The plot already reaches the end in Bioshock 1.The prequel seems a bit unnecessary but what next? A Sims City-like game showing how Andrew Ryan built Rapture?

Haggard @ Jan 7th 2009 12:52PM

Well, didn't someone at 2K not long ago mention the possibility of a bioshock MMO?

343 Guilty Fart @ Jan 7th 2009 1:02PM

Well, the plot "reached the end" at the end of the first Star Wars too.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 7th 2009 1:41PM

You mean Episode 6 rite?

Anyhow I don’t think Bioshock story is so extend that there is going to be material to spawn a 3rd game.2 games are more than enough.

I believe this is the time line:

Andrew Ryan Built Rapture.
People move into Rapture.
The whole scientific breakthrough
Atlas Just Kick in Yo!
Sh*t hits the fan.
-????
-Profit
Bioshock 1.

Maybe if they base Bioshock 3 in the Bad ending of the first game there is enough material to spawn a 3rd game.

Haggard @ Jan 7th 2009 2:05PM

BioShock 3: Evil version of the first game's protagonist's road to destroying the world in a nuclear Holocaust

In A World (XBL) @ Jan 7th 2009 2:47PM

Bioshock: Big Daddy Kart Racing

PersonOfSorts @ Jan 7th 2009 12:46PM

So basically, they have one full length story and it's getting thrown in the Slap Chop®.

Voila! Six games.

DEEZNUTZ @ Jan 7th 2009 12:55PM

I want a slapchop. That shamwow guy is so convincing.

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 7th 2009 1:43PM

Please everybody knows Billy Mays is the best.

(Why Billy Mays,The shamwow guy and the British Pow guy became memes? )

playwhutyalike @ Jan 7th 2009 2:31PM

Ya watchin' camera guy?

JerJer @ Jan 7th 2009 12:46PM

i for one, welcome our new bioshock sequel overlords

JPN @ Jan 7th 2009 1:12PM

IT'S IN REVELATIONS, PEOPLE!

ObiBen @ Jan 7th 2009 12:54PM

I will play them as long as Jar Jar Binks doesn't show up in the games. If he were to get impaled by a Big Daddy that would be even better.

Shagittarius @ Jan 7th 2009 12:57PM

The Prequels Suck.

Scooter @ Jan 7th 2009 1:07PM

I will be the first to say that the prequels did their job. And that job was to make lots of money and let the EU into that time period.

EU writers destroy Lucas when you compare the stories they tell.

Alien Lord @ Jan 7th 2009 1:06PM

I wouldn't get a Bioshock prequel or squeal, the plot was terrible and the game play wasn't anything special. I'd suggest others do the same so we don't see more of this crap.

Shagittarius @ Jan 7th 2009 1:13PM

May the nothing devour your sir!

Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 7th 2009 1:45PM

You know I wouldn't dare to critic the gameplay or the story of a game like Bioshock using a Halo Avatar.

Vic Mackey @ Jan 7th 2009 1:15PM

"I wouldn't get a Bioshock prequel or squeal, the plot was terrible and the game play wasn't anything special. I'd suggest others do the same so we don't see more of this crap. "

This coming from a guy with a Halo avatar. Bioshock was a very good game with a very good story. It was far, far greater than Halo 3.

As for numerous sequels, I'm already interested in how they plan to add more story to a game that seemed to close everything up.

Now, a multiplayer component allowing you to utilize your upgraded character would be sweet.

Douche Bigalow @ Jan 7th 2009 1:19PM

I've tried THREE TIMES to get into this game, each time with an open mind and a true desire to see the jewel everyone else sees. And each time I have been bored to tears with the static environments, one-enemy-at-a-time gameplay, and 'interaction' that boils down to pulling the left trigger OR the right trigger!

This is truly the most overrated game in recent memory. All of the other candidates at least offered something interesting or fun. But Bioshock is truly not worth all the acclaim.

Shagittarius @ Jan 7th 2009 1:25PM

You are aptly named sir.

baby sea tuna @ Jan 7th 2009 1:33PM

Douche, you're doing it wrong.

igotalottastuff @ Jan 7th 2009 3:38PM

Douche, I think the problem is you were never deep in the game, before you stopped. I for one, recently rented it, and have to say its one of, if not, the best rent ever. Though one of the main reason is probably because I love the hacking, which can get repetitive if you hate that puzzle.

But yeah, I have no idea where all the hate is coming from. Just because they say that it has a possibility of spawning up to 6.

XkawsX @ Jan 7th 2009 5:39PM

Douche don't you dare say Bioshock is the most overrated game while Fable 2 and Halo 3 still exist,lol. I didn't like Bioshock as much as everybody else did but it's a good game. Even though the endings were complete letdowns the game was actually creative and different from and the gameplay is pretty deep.

mynk @ Jan 7th 2009 11:03PM

i think the game is meant for people that actually care about the storyline, if you can get far enough as to where the plot gets very interesting, you will love it more than anything... and even if ur bored on the way there, you should try following journals and what not

baby sea tuna @ Jan 7th 2009 1:32PM

And have proven so on more than one occasion.

Blazur @ Jan 7th 2009 1:52PM

Let's see how well the prequel does before we start talking about 4 more expansions.

Poisoned Al @ Jan 7th 2009 2:05PM

They would be better off remaking System Shock, but i think EA own that IP at the moment.

Lucky @ Jan 7th 2009 2:12PM

But BioShock WAS a remake of SS2. Both games had a wrench. A wrench!

J.Goodwin @ Jan 7th 2009 3:14PM

Speaking of wrenches, whatever happened to Prey 2?

mynk @ Jan 7th 2009 11:05PM

omg i is want prey 2 nao.
i cant believe prey 1 had such a low fanbase.
and i find bioshock similar enough to system shcok to qualify.

J.Goodwin @ Jan 7th 2009 3:14PM

Well, at least if it follows the Star Wars path we can expect that Bioshock 2 will be one hell of critical success as a game, and Bioshock 3 will do huge sales.

Then we get Jar Jar.

Weelo89 @ Jan 7th 2009 3:21PM

I don't know if I'd welcome 6 installments of any game but I loved Bioshock. Please just concentrate on making the 2nd as good as the 1st please.

shannon @ Jan 7th 2009 4:01PM

probability for more sequels + not trying to cash in = bullshit

Mike @ Jan 7th 2009 4:29PM

I just picked this back up today for $14.99 from Blockbuster. $5 after I cashed out my gift card. They currently have a fire sale on used games. Buy 1 get 1 on used games $14.99 and below.

Picked up Eternal Sonata as my freebie. Apparently I found out too late and all of the really good games were gone. :( GTA IV was there though. I was surprised to see that.