Reaching For the Heavens: BioShock Infinite's Racial Themes and Crafting Columbia with Ken Levine

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11 жыл бұрын

In part one of an extended conversation with Bioshock Infinite Creative Director Ken Levine, Adam and Ken discuss the history and themes behid the city of Columbia. Where does the idea for the floating city come from, and what sort of themes have informed the dark underbelly of its populace? How has some of the darker parts of American history (and its Founders) influenced the narrative? Ken answers these questions and much more in part one of our interview series.
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Пікірлер: 600

@robinbongers9843 10 жыл бұрын

Ken Levine did for games what Alan Moore did for comics, which is bring literary power to it. Bioshock is amazing.

@mynamesSpartacus 6 жыл бұрын

YES, YES, YES, and more YES!!!

@hopehepperlin2519 5 жыл бұрын

PREACH THAT SHIT Even though it has been 4 years since

@WickedLady2010 10 жыл бұрын

SPOILERS: If I'm wrong correct me, but did all 3 games have the same theme of a father and a daughter. In Bioshock if you save all the little sisters jack becomes their father, in Bioshock 2 Eleanor see subject delta as her father(figure) and her actions are shaped by yours. While in Bioshock Infinite you are basically trying to get your daughter back and are just on one big adventure with your daughter. Wrong or right?

@schwalmy8227 9 жыл бұрын

You are right, but when you play burial at sea you will sea why that is the goal

@WickedLady2010 9 жыл бұрын

DubstepRoyale i did play it and it one of the saddest DLC I have ever played T_T

@schwalmy8227 9 жыл бұрын

WickedLady2010 its horrible that 75% of bioshock fans probably havent even played it

@WickedLady2010 9 жыл бұрын

DubstepRoyale What!?! that's a tragedy

@schwalmy8227 9 жыл бұрын

WickedLady2010 i had a friend who was a massive bioshock fan and didnt even know that burial at sea existed until i told him. Just imagine if infinite was pushed back a year and the game was split up into 2 episodes in the main game. 2nd episode being buried at sea so that everyone that played the game at launch could experience it

@AmericanHairlines69 7 жыл бұрын

We get alot of games, but no quality content like this. So good.

@Kuomon 11 жыл бұрын

These interviews with Ken Levine are amazing. I really wish we had more developers with his sensibilities in the games industry who truly understand the power of this medium

@LateNiteGibberish 11 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love the energy of the interviewer/host. He kind of reminds of Psycho from the Crysis-games. Levine is brilliant as usual.

@strongforce79 11 жыл бұрын

Damn Adam has great interviewing abilitys.

@daxter3000 11 жыл бұрын

Glad I watched this interview before playing the game, now I'll have a deeper appreciation for the subtle nods toward American history throughout the game. Great interview Adam!

@dudeman650 11 жыл бұрын

Hey Adam keep up these types of shows with developer's. The interviews are faciniating!

@hoptop77 11 жыл бұрын

please let there be more to this interview and im really glad it wasnt an interview about the gameplay but about the philosophy of it.

@fatsqueek2657 11 жыл бұрын

Eagerly awaiting part 2.

@Rev3Games 11 жыл бұрын

Hey folks - unfortunately we've had to turn on approved comments due to people trying to spoil the game. We hate to do this, but we feel like its the best solution right now. As a result it might take a while for your comment to show up, but we'll get to it as fast as we can.

@Runefang47 11 жыл бұрын

"That's why Batman is more interesting than Superman" Preach it

@blade9871 11 жыл бұрын

I it's so good watching these AFTER you play the game. You actually get something from these after you play the game instead of before playing the game.

@Ilregard 11 жыл бұрын

I really liked how they went over the subtler elements of storytelling and world-building in the game. There dont seem to be any boring infodumps, just clever use of set-pieces and dialogue to set atmosphere and give the player information of their surroundings. Pretty cool.

@Nicalapegus 11 жыл бұрын

Class act. I'm referring your channel to all of my friends, keep up the incisive interviews and fair reviews!

@coheno1986 11 жыл бұрын

Ohh man, it's always a treat to listen to Ken Levine talk.

@mouseno4 11 жыл бұрын

This guy would be an amazing person to just sit down and have a chat with. History really does interest me as well and i could imagine talking for hours.

@brookstech 11 жыл бұрын

Outstanding stuff here. I hope Rev3 continues on this trend.

@SilverSteinDude01 11 жыл бұрын

This goes through my mind everytime I watch an interview with him.

@vikingraider58 11 жыл бұрын

Being a huge history buff, I love playing games like BioShock and Assassin's Creed, and seeing the references to events in those periods.

@optifreex 11 жыл бұрын

i love the music at the beginning and Mr Sesslers intro for Mr Levine. It feels for a moment like i'm Inside The Developers Studio.

@GuMpAkC 11 жыл бұрын

I love this channel. Adam speaks not just as a reporter but as someone who genuinely loves games and loves his career. The way both Adam and Ken talk about this game makes it even more difficult to wait for release.

@Chainsawyou 11 жыл бұрын

Getting some serious ASMR from Ken Levine, makes me want to take a nap.

@xdcgvbhnjm 11 жыл бұрын

They seem like two good friends talkiing about something they love

@LookiTooki 11 жыл бұрын

Great discussion with some minor audio distractions in the background. I recall playing the original bioshock for 3 hours with about 10% of the graphics being rendered and still playing it because I was so engaged. Quite excited for Infinite.

@RyuRanXII 11 жыл бұрын

Beautiful Star Command t-shirt! It's nice seeing big developers supporting kickstarter projects.

@videojuegosargentina 11 жыл бұрын

Very good interview adam. Thank you for not asking the routine questions.

@KaiokenTimes10 11 жыл бұрын

Levine is the best designer/director out there. hands down. period. Pushing the envelope with real subjects? Yes please. And he stands up for his work. BIG RESPECT. Bravo Ken This is how we make the industry into one that makes art, not only entertainment.

@Hathur 11 жыл бұрын

That was a lovely and really interesting interview.

@subterraa 11 жыл бұрын

movies, story telling and video games in general have finally been bridged together this game is the closest thing to an interactive movie that you will ever play it is absolute art.

@JPLC 11 жыл бұрын

So far, this is a great interview. Developers are usually a very opaque bunch during PR things, but after watching this, I feel I actually know something about Levine and his ideas as opposed to just learning "in the game, you do THIS". Bravo, Rev3.

@Rev3Games 11 жыл бұрын

Look who recently dropped into the office! Reaching For the Heavens: BioShock Infinite's Racial Themes and Crafting Columbia with Ken Levine. Join them for a discussion on racism in BioShock Infinite and the real history that inspired the fictional world of Columbia.

@willbrine1404 11 жыл бұрын

I don't want to pull a Prometheus and go and buy this game before I've had a chance to read a couple trustworthy reviews...but I really want to go buy this game. Should I?

@BenjaminArnold 11 жыл бұрын

Ha! After Assassins Creed 3 I'm the same way. So much hype... so much disappointment.

@raresmacovei8382 6 жыл бұрын

AC3 is the best game in the franchise.

@privateye21 11 жыл бұрын

Between Adam and Kevin I am more sold on this game then I ever was. This was a fantastic interview. Adam was great and I'm glad to hear smart questions that I would ask myself.

@unknownandunnamed 11 жыл бұрын

I love hearing Ken Levine talk, particularly with Adam Sessler. Their first discussion was what got me on to Rev3

@Danobryon1 11 жыл бұрын

Looks awesome! Can't wait to play it

@TheTomD 11 жыл бұрын

Ohhhh hell yes, you can never have enough of Ken Levine!

@hametsuj 11 жыл бұрын

As someone who has played and loves both games, I have to give the crown to Bioshock Infinite. If you haven't played it yet, I highly recommend it.

@CaptainMorganThe3rd 11 жыл бұрын

I like the use of Bach's "Air" around the six-minute mark. Very appropriate.

@MikeIsNexciting 11 жыл бұрын

Can't wait, probably not getting it day 1, but shortly after and hopefully in time for the long-easter weekend.

@lemonpartyhellyeah 11 жыл бұрын

even when hes not talking about the game hes still awesome to listen too.

@Grazmuck 11 жыл бұрын

This was a great interview Adam. I'm a fairly new subscriber to this channel and I have to say it has become one of, if not my most anticipated place for videos to appear in my sub box

@DrMarmalader 11 жыл бұрын

This interview just got me into the game

@MrSineCera 11 жыл бұрын

What a great interview.

@dvd123abel 11 жыл бұрын

I got mad props to ken and his team up in irrational games, and Adam for being my fav gamer/interviewer

@ShutterSnapped 11 жыл бұрын

This is the first game where I've had that feeling of watching a movie again and enjoying it more. Not just because you like it but there are connections made, new understandings of the story and writing cleverly laid out by Ken's direction. There are a ton of great games out there but this one truly is a landmark in this generation.

@bigstabby 11 жыл бұрын

This conversation alone sold me on this game.

@Nicholasryan17 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I didn't even realize people already had access but I was just about to scroll through the comments to see what people thought.

@RaLLenheimer 11 жыл бұрын

i saw this 1 hour long interview on gamespot and i must say ken levine is a intresting guy and i cant wait to play this bad boy next week and to experience the story !

@sommervilleTRS117 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you Rev3 games !!

@GE0VANYyy 11 жыл бұрын

awesome interview, deserves more views.

@RavishingRob 11 жыл бұрын

The two greatest at what they do. Adam's reviews are honest and pure. Ken's vision for games is unbelievable he knows what gamers want. More like these two!!!

@ellrick 11 жыл бұрын

I am terrified of the comment section on any Infinite video right now, but I braved a few lines scrolled to say this interview was fantastic for a history, video game, and Irrational lover such as myself. I always appreciate it when I can watch or read something about gaming and not feel like the target audience is some mouth breathing teenager. Great work Adam.

@1SeniorSmurf 9 жыл бұрын

two legends in the industry.

@smikebacts 11 жыл бұрын

I can't wait to get started on this game. Ken is in every way my favorite game developer.

@Thorsanbauer 10 жыл бұрын

Video quality of interview is amazingly clear. What video cam is used?

@heyitsablackguy9553 9 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing a RED or a 5d.

@SizzytopCA 11 жыл бұрын

Im glad he is using the Star Command t-shirt. Showing support for indie games.

@ArcoGuion 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this.

@fullbloodednarutofan 11 жыл бұрын

Bravo, this talk just made me wanna buy this game. These videos really make a difference, know that Adam.

@skoti1511 11 жыл бұрын

This game looks so stunning & just looks perfect as if the whole team at irrational went over each little detail 100 times cannot wait !

@lUKEO1216 11 жыл бұрын

Two of my idols in the video game industry in the same room. Awesome!

@Otacon3480 11 жыл бұрын

Ken Levine and Hideo Kojima are the two best developers in gaming. They have total creative control over their projects and these two men have a real feed on what the gamer needs and wants are. They create experiences that are one of a kind and unreplaceable..

@thestationproduction 11 жыл бұрын

By far, the best game of our generation. I have never played a game with so many breath taking scenes and moments. The whole story line is amazing and in the beginning can be very confusing, but nearing the end everything starts to make sense and it gives you a sense of fulfillment. I have never been so proud to beat a game in my life due to the fact of the connection I had with Elizabeth and the ending is marvelous. Seriously it was THE BEST ending in any game I have ever played.

@kalphitekil 11 жыл бұрын

thank you. this game mentioned so much that i have been thinking about.

@froztbite15 3 жыл бұрын

Ken is a very smart dude. He understands history and themes. I love seeing him in an interview.

@St_Heresy 11 жыл бұрын

I think this video made me actually want to play Infinite. Thanks Adam

@RebbieChan 11 жыл бұрын

Check the audio logs. Rosaline tells Robert about what he did before he lost his memories as well as in some of the final scenes they bring Booker through and she mentions that he loses his memory and Robert says something along the lines of "I know, I lived it." the reason they don't lose their memories as they travel around throughout the game's main timeline is because they have already been killed and are outside of space/time as they say at one point, I'm not sure where though.

@revan210 11 жыл бұрын

This is out on Tuesday. I can't quite believe it, it still hasn't sunk in yet.

@ZombieRain0 11 жыл бұрын

This video feels different after watching Sessler's review. Worth a re-watch.

@Reldrik 11 жыл бұрын

pumped for this game i gotta say

@maxburton22 11 жыл бұрын

thank you very much friend

@OKAMIgotfuzz 11 жыл бұрын

This game will change everything. Just from the non spoiler teases that Adam and Ken are talking throughout this video, it seems like this game will be a masterpiece.

@BigDrKoke 11 жыл бұрын

8:08 I completely understand what's happening and support artistic expression in all art-forms... but that look, is the coolest look you could ever get from anyone, anywhere.

@TheAndrewlawlrence 11 жыл бұрын

Thank you, well said

@FatmasterKY3 11 жыл бұрын

sounds really great

@iamtheduke87 11 жыл бұрын

Once again Adam you make video games seem culturally significant no matter what it's about thanks man

@steelfoe 11 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this INSIDE THE DEVELOPERS STUDIO.

@lAmTheeOne 11 жыл бұрын

thank you

@jasee1227 11 жыл бұрын

omg thank you!

@julianreed7 11 жыл бұрын

Im all in for this game.

@TheJudgeDoom 11 жыл бұрын

thank you sir

@Reldrik 11 жыл бұрын

yeah i was thinking more along like that

@TheHero574 11 жыл бұрын

the wait is almost over my friends....

@Pianoslave1 11 жыл бұрын

It's always nice to see game directors who are actually intelligent. I love that Kevin is a big history nerd :)

@sobekflakmonkey 11 жыл бұрын

I'm Canadian, I got all the references, we're well educated up here, there was some spots that I wasn't too familiar with though, solid game.

@peterpete1239 11 жыл бұрын

this game is the most mind blowing game i have ever played. and im only through the intro

@michaelsuite9329 11 жыл бұрын

Your feelings are valid, and for me personally it was the other way around, when I played the first Bioshock I rented it so I had to rush to get it done so I could get a reduced price, so I missed out in a way, but I never really wanted to explore that much, good thing Bioshock Infinite comes with Bioshock 1, but in Infinite I almost everything I saw or heard was incredible, when I go back to Bioshock I'll definitely pay more attention. But Infinite pressed all the right buttons for me.

@brainfreeze10 11 жыл бұрын

I've never been a fan of Adam Sessler, but I do have to say he's probably my favorite interviewer in the video game industry. He always has interesting conversations, even if I disagree with most of his own views.

@SSHayden 11 жыл бұрын

Wow. That is a very good comment man! A great realization! Completely agree!

@Recylops 11 жыл бұрын

GOD FUCKING DAMNIT I love listening to this man. Can't fucking wait for this game...

@Leinad44 11 жыл бұрын

I could listen to Ken Levine talk about game development all day.

@AstralMatrix80 11 жыл бұрын

Honestly, they should make a new category for the Pulitzer Prize titled Interactive Fiction. Ken Levine should be the first recipient. He's an amazing/rich storyteller. And you Adam Sessler should get one for for Explanatory reporting!

@dubistdrann 11 жыл бұрын

Id love to talk to Levine once, hes one intelligent man.

@TheFoxyKevinT 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@nofurbuisness 11 жыл бұрын

Infinite was the first game to make me want to collect the recordings because of it's incredible story and interesting characters, and that's something really hard to do in games I think today.

@Herlinkle 11 жыл бұрын

Pre-ordered it.

@ultramagodofwar2153 11 жыл бұрын

Why didn't I know adam was here till now. I am so happy to hear him speak the truth about games. I was leaning to buying Defiance but seeing adam give his take and spin on Bioshock3. I think i will buy this game.

@yacanman11 11 жыл бұрын

Devil in the City was a great read honestly. I'm glad one company takes it upon themselves to do some reading and incorporate it into their products, somehow.

@1hiphopopotamus1 11 жыл бұрын

got so much respect for Ken Levine, mans a legend.

@zsreich 11 жыл бұрын

The white city isn't in the game, its a reference to the 1893 worlds fair in Chicago. Artists at Irrational games were inspired by the architecture and design of the fairground and it served as the inspiration for some aspects of columbia.