I was dreaming (or half-awake, really) when I wrote this, so please do forgive me if I go astray.
Upon waking this morning, BioShock fans were greeted with a new tidbit of information regarding Irrational's upcoming continuance of the series, BioShock Infinite. Specifically, Irrational unveiled a brand new mode for the game, one steeped in heavy challenge and permanent consequence that's designed to give the more hardcore fans a more intense overall experience.
Titled "1999 mode," this new addition exists wholly separate from the normal story mode, and allows players to experience an environment in which their weapon specialties, upgrades, and moral decisions will have extremely specific, and extremely rigid consequences on how the player is able to progress within the game. Even respawning will be tied to resource management in this mode, and if you run out of the resources necessary to come back to life, your game will officially be over.
The mode is, of course, not actually a direct reference to a Prince song, but rather a hearkening back to the days of System Shock, a mode that Ken Levine describes as something for the old school Irrational fans.
We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots,” said Levine. “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.
The idea for 1999 mode came from player surveying. According to Levine, more than half of the players surveyed wanted permanent consequences to their decisions made in-game.
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.
1999 mode is, of course, completely optional, and anyone who just wants to sky-hook their way around the city of Columbia all willy-nilly without worrying about consequences will have the ability to do so. For those who like a bit more in the way of serious business when they play their games, 1999 mode sounds like a perfectly reasonable, if also slightly daunting-sounding option.
So, who among you will take the 1999 challenge? Are you looking to party? Or are you ready to fight?
YO PRINCE! LET'S PARTY!
Hell yea, I'm gonna party like it's 1999!
I love that this mode exists! It sounds like this is suited for a second playthrough but I might actually go for this the first time around.
Please, other developers, demand more from us!
Thank you Irrational! :)
To quote Ryan Davis: "Thanks, Irrational Games, for making me feel like a fucking octogenarian by calling 1999 "old school""
The GOAT 1999 Jam
Well, that's probably the easiest headline Alex has ever written. Thanks, Irrational!
Going the extra step seems to be what this game is all about. Ken Levine is so dreamy.
I'm so 1999 right now
I'm in !
@MattyFTM said:
Yeah, pretty much how I feel about the whole 1999 thing.
Also, that mode sounds like a great way to make a good game way less fun. I've played games since 1982 and not once have I thought, "Gee, this game would be way better if it gave me the ability to permanently screw myself over with bad choices." Thankfully it is completely optional.
Edit: That sounded real negative. I'll try anything once. First impressions are that as a person with a limited amount of time for games due to real life responsibilities making greater demands on my time, I'll probably hate it.
I think they are making this game specifically for me. It's like they opened up my brain and figured out exactly what would tickle my fancy and just create perfect game.
This looks like a cool new trend! We can all stop complaining about games being too easy these days.
I'm in, sign me up.
Everything about this mode sounds cool except for the idea that you can get an old school "Game Over" screen where you have to start the entire game all over again.
Dark Souls mode?
I didn't understand one thing: is the 1999 mode the story-mode but with different characteristics or is it a whole different set of levels?
There, how hard was that?
And Elizabeth's character design makes it look like I'm playing a game with Big Head Mode on. Throw in an instant kill plasma rifle and say something about "gibs" and I will officially kiss this game right on the mouth.
Well, it's BioShock, so I'll do that anyway, but still.
elizabeth still looks creepy so nope