Bioshock Infinite to feature ’1999 Mode’ for those up to the challenge
Ken Levine, Creative Director of Irrational Games, has announced the inclusion of a new ’1999′ mode in the company’s forthcoming release, Bioshock Infinite. Considered by many to be the most anticipated game of 2012, Bioshock Infinite placed players in the floating city of Columbia. You take on the role of former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt as he enters the city in search of Elizabeth, a women inprisoned there her entire life.
The new ’1999 Mode’ announced today forces players to commit to decisions in different ways than in a standard play through, as well as require them to consider weapon and health manage more seriously.
In a press release from Irrational Games, Ken Levine said:
“We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots. In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.
“I’m an old school gamer. We wanted to make sure we were taking into account the play styles of gamers like me. So we went straight to the horse’s mouth by asking them, on our website, a series of questions about how they play our games. 94.6 percent of respondents indicated that upgrade choices enhanced their BioShock gameplay experience; however, 56.8 percent indicated that being required to make permanent decisions about their character would have made the game even better.”
Other aspects of ’1999 Mode’ detailed so far suggest very strict restrictions on respawning, presenting the player with a definitive ‘Game Over’ screen should they not meet the requirements necessary to re-enter the game.
Bioshock Infinite sits among a strong line-up of titles being released in 2012, and currently looks to be one of the most likely titles to be up for the Game of the Year awards next year.
Some may question the departure from the decaying underwater city of Rapture, but following the tepid response to Bioshock 2, we hope that the only direction for the series is up.