Irrational Games’ Bioshock series (2007-present), under Take-Two Interactive’s 2K label, represents an important example of videogames that are made within the current mainstream industry and yet surpass most other games in terms of their potential as thought-provoking and complicated texts. Keywords: historical games, alternate histories, Bioshock, counterfactual, quantum physics Because of the complexity and polysemic nature of this game series, dynamics which are continually reinforced through ludic gameplay elements, this article will first address how to approach this type of game series, will next engage the series’ potential for complex history, and then, in the end, argue for more game studies research on the alternate historical text for its progressive potential.
Another option would be to study the series from the perspective of political collectivism versus objectivism, which were important issues explicitly explored in the first two games. Other scholars could also explore the series to address gender power dynamics, which on the surface do not appear to be completely progressive but the games do contain a number of strong female characters who are more powerful than their male counterparts. Specifically, this article argues that the Bioshock series encourages complex historical interpretations as opposed to simplistic accepted histories, and that it does so despite the games' fantastical literal content. Because of the complexity and ever-changing nature of these games - dynamics that are continually reinforced through ludic gameplay elements - the Bioshock series embodies the future of game studies as a complex field of exploration that recognizes the importance of all its interactive elements. The Bioshock series does not contain universally progressive ideological elements, nor is it universally acclaimed by critics, but through a combination of complex narrative content and quality gameplay the series stands out as a potentially important site for scholarly exploration.
Irrational Games’ Bioshock series, represents an important example of videogames that are made within the current mainstream industry that stand above many other games in terms of their potentials to be thought-provoking and complicated texts.
Bioshock: Complex and Alternate Histories by Ryan Lizardi Abstract
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