I had been avoiding this news for a while due to not having finished Bioshock 2, but now that I've read about Infinite I'm filled with excitement about this new game. There's a question lingering in my mind, though. It seems like such a departure from the first two games, so why call it "BioShock" as opposed to some other sort of "Shock"?
 
Looking back, there was System Shock and System Shock 2 set in space. Then, along came BioShock and BioShock 2 set under the sea. Since they're moving into the skies now, and the plot seems unrelated to the original, the time seems ripe to introduce another title change.
 
Does the "Bio" in BioShock imply that this game will also centre on biological developments, and that is enough reason for them to keep the title? Or are they wary of a title change because of marketing reasons? Some might take it as a hint at the possibility that this story does take place in the same universe as BioShock after all. Or perhaps they are basing their naming convention on something else, such as time (System Shock in the future, BioShock in the past) or style (System Shock is cyber-ish, BioShock is steampunk)?
 
Whatever the case, I can't wait to see what this game has to offer!

I think they just wanted to reference that the game was a spiritual successor to System Shock and wanted to show that it was largely themed around biological modifications.

I always kinda thought the game Bioshock should have been called Rapture, or something similar. Bioshock seems like more of a franchise name. But in reality, this is just really a marketing thing unless it heavily revolves around source material from Bioshock, which i highly and hopefully doubt.

 May be down to marketing purposes, while also conveniently under the excuse that it's apart of the overall Universe. 

" I always kinda thought the game Bioshock should have been called Rapture, or something similar. Bioshock seems like more of a franchise name. But in reality, this is just really a marketing thing unless it heavily revolves around source material from Bioshock, which i highly and hopefully doubt. "

"  May be down to marketing purposes, while also convenient under the excuse that it's apart of the overall Universe.  "

Because it sounds cool. As simple and dumb as it sounds that is what I think it comes down to.

The same reason why both Black ops and Modern warfare has the name Call of Duty attached to it: Consumer associations. Call of duty is a sign of quality, not story more or less. Atleast, that is probably the purpose of usage anyhoo... by reading Bioshock you get a sense of what to expect, and since it's familiar and previous experiences most likely have been positive, chances of purchase increases. There's also an aready existing awareness of the product in the market, so that less resources is needed to increase it. And by making it a franchise there's a chance of developing brand loyalty. Also, it's easier to spot in the shelves, as something familiar.
 
If you're interested:
Brand equity
 
I could go on, but I guess most would just TL;DR me :P

" The same reason why both Black ops and Modern warfare has the name Call of Duty attached to it: Consumer associations. Call of duty is a sign of quality, not story more or less. Atleast, that is probably the purpose of usage anyhoo... by reading Bioshock you get a sense of what to expect, and since it's familiar and previous experiences most likely have been positive, chances of purchase increases. There's also an aready existing awareness of the product in the market, so that less resources is needed to increase it. And by making it a franchise there's a chance of developing brand loyalty. Also, it's easier to spot in the shelves, as something familiar.
 
If you're interested:
Brand equity  I could go on, but I guess most would just TL;DR me :P "

AeroShock 
 
That would kick so much ass.

Its all about name recognition.

"  May be down to marketing purposes, while also conveniently under the excuse that it's apart of the overall Universe.  "

Because it's going to have many of the same mechanics as BioShock.

Well this is how I am looking at it. Rapture is based on freedom from government and corruption and junk (which in the games we find out did not work out to well). Olympia is fronted as the pinnacle of progress, but in actuality, it looks to have a corrupt communist agenda. What I think is going to happen to tie the games together is that essentially the idea for Rapture arose from the secret communist push behind Olympia. It is my belief that Ryan will be present or at least associated with Olympia and either from the beginning is against it or decides that he would rather build a city free of such corruption. Also, Tonics appear to be a primitive version of Plasmids, and may inspire Ryan, as well as some other aspects of Olympia such as Handymen and such. Those are my thoughts anyway.

Bioshock is a great name.  That said, I think calling the game "Sealab 1960" would have been a better choice.

It'll put a shock to your system? Oh wait, that's System Shock... or is it Static Shock.

It isn't so much the Bioshock title that bothers me, it's the 'Infinite'. I really hope it's just a working title and they end up changing it. Although I'll still get it either way.

" AeroShock  That would kick so much ass. "

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

It's in the video interview with Ken Levine, but he said that the Bioshock name is supposed to incite that "what is going on?'" kind of surprise within the world and atmosphere or something.

" AeroShock  That would kick so much ass. "

" I had been avoiding this news for a while due to not having finished Bioshock 2, but now that I've read about Infinite I'm filled with excitement about this new game. There's a question lingering in my mind, though. It seems like such a departure from the first two games, so why call it "BioShock" as opposed to some other sort of "Shock"?  Looking back, there was System Shock and System Shock 2 set in space. Then, along came BioShock and BioShock 2 set under the sea. Since they're moving into the skies now, and the plot seems unrelated to the original, the time seems ripe to introduce another title change. Does the "Bio" in BioShock imply that this game will also centre on biological developments, and that is enough reason for them to keep the title? Or are they wary of a title change because of marketing reasons? Some might take it as a hint at the possibility that this story does take place in the same universe as BioShock after all. Or perhaps they are basing their naming convention on something else, such as time (System Shock in the future, BioShock in the past) or style (System Shock is cyber-ish, BioShock is steampunk)? Whatever the case, I can't wait to see what this game has to offer! "

Maybe Infinite has some connection with BioShock 1 and 2 in terms of its storyline or characters. Either that or 2K just named it BioShock for the marquee value.

Because 2K thinks it will make more money with that name.

Call it skyshock

Bioshock Infinite such a bad game it ruin the franchise. 
 
it jumped the shock.

It's called marketing. Franchise awareness. The game also seemed to share a lot of mechanical elements from the first two games.

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

I thought we were over this now. Bioshock was never supposed to just be about Rapture. It was about a fantastical shooter set in a strange and wonderful location with no real-life points of reference. It takes a historical period and some of the ideals that might define that period and uses them to flesh out the characters, setting and story.

Bioshock isn't Rapture, it's the feeling you first got when you saw Rapture.

What shouldn't have existed are the Bioshock Rapture sequels. Despite any character work or story, they can't hold any of the freshness that the original had. It is literally going back to a known setting to do a story, something most games do, but Bioshock didn't

With Infinite, they are taking us to a new fantastic place, with it's own people, historical period and even supernatural elements. It even has a much different atmosphere, no longer is it confining and opressive, now it's open and joyous although it's still sinister.

Also it seems the mechanics and the feel of the combat will be similar to that of Bioshock. At least enough that calling it something new would cause people to make the comparisons themselves.

Brand recognition and I'm willing to bet that it will have some tie ins. 

" @beej said:

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

there is a one hour video interview here in giantbomb with ken levine that touched on this very question. people STILL going with that "marketing" thing should watch that. of course the fact that it's an established brand doesn't hurt but he gave various compelling reasons for the name. "

" Because it's going to have many of the same mechanics as BioShock. "

" I think they just wanted to reference that the game was a spiritual successor to System Shock and wanted to show that it was largely themed around biological modifications. "

" @DeF said:

" @beej said:

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

there is a one hour video interview here in giantbomb with ken levine that touched on this very question. people STILL going with that "marketing" thing should watch that. of course the fact that it's an established brand doesn't hurt but he gave various compelling reasons for the name. "

Do you really think Ken would come out and say "because 2k made me do it" if it was a marketing decision?  He's not that kind of dude.  Though I am not saying there is no chance keeping the Bioshock name was Ken's idea. "

The name was solely for brand recognition and franchise building. I want to know more about the story though, I mean why was the city changing as he walked through it?

It's been said but, brand recognition.

It's just a title, people. Plus, BioShock has to do with the powers you get in the game. Just like in previous Bioshock games. It has nothing to do with the setting. I don't know what's so confusing about that.

I say it's the moneys and also because of the main dual-wield game mechanic of plasmid-like powers and guns. It plays like a Bioshock game and it looks like one too so it's called Bioshock.

I'm guessing because it will share significant thematic/design points with the original BioShock games?

" @Eristocrat said:

" @DeF said:

" @beej said:

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

there is a one hour video interview here in giantbomb with ken levine that touched on this very question. people STILL going with that "marketing" thing should watch that. of course the fact that it's an established brand doesn't hurt but he gave various compelling reasons for the name. "

Do you really think Ken would come out and say "because 2k made me do it" if it was a marketing decision?  He's not that kind of dude.  Though I am not saying there is no chance keeping the Bioshock name was Ken's idea. "

sure he wouldn't flat out say "yea, marketing forced us to" but I'm just irritated when the worst possible scenario is presented as a given. it's a variation on "guilty until proven innocent".so why question his reasons? "

Why not name it BioShock?

Peeps, obviously marketing would push Lavine to retain brand recognition, but that does not dismiss the notion of BioShock standing for that mystery, the dystopian twist on history, philosophy and politics, and the general gameplay. The name was never just about plasmids, and Columbia and Rapture seem way more tied, thematically, than System Shock ever was to this franchise. What's not to get?

 
 After watching the 10 minute footage, im thinking where the fuck is the tonics? Where are the diaries? Probably they wont spoil much, but i want back to Rapture! Its more haunted and interesting. 
 
EDIT: In the 10 min footage, he got Telekinesis, so i guess they're will be plasmids in this game.

" @BombKareshi: probably because someone in marketing at some point went up to Ken Levine and said "Ken the name you have is great, but we're gonna need you to stick bioshock in there somewhere, that way we can make money through name recognition." That makes the most sense honestly, I think that point was even mentioned in one of the bombcasts or something. "

Its in the same universe, and will most likely have some sort of connection to the bioshock and rapture stuff.

Brand name recognition is partly the correct answer, but really if you look at the videos for the game on the site, it's so similar to Bioshock 1 & 2 other than the setting that if it hadn't been named similarly than internet people would have totally called out the team on that.