BioShock PS3 gets exclusive DLC

By Oli Welsh Published 16 July, 2008

"Challenge Rooms" recall Portal.

At its E3 press conference, publisher 2K Games announced that the PS3 version of BioShock will get exclusive downloadable content in the form of Challenge Rooms.

Created by a small team at original developers 2K Boston, Challenge Rooms will encourage players to delve deeper into the game's unique toolset, using their plasmids to solve a more puzzle-oriented challenge.

Sounds something like Valve's brilliant Portal to us, and a very intriguing prospect. We'll call by 2K's suite at E3 to find out more.

Picture of Oli.

About Oli Welsh

Oli is Eurogamer's acting deputy editor and reviews editor and likes to take things one word at a time. He is among the best dressed people in South London.

Read more articles from Oli by visiting the Oli Welsh archive page.

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Comments (56) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Widge #1 4 years ago

    Well.... nicer than having a straight portlostplanet

  • asphaltcowboy #2 4 years ago

    Sounds great! Does it have to be exclusive? Pretty please?

  • Widge #3 4 years ago

    Please make it exclusive! So I can use it in arguments and feel better about myself!

  • Killerbee #4 4 years ago

    Nice idea - I hope they offer it to 360 and PC owners too. Much as I liked the game, I don't feel the need to rebuy it for this, but I would give it some DLC love if they made it available.

  • Steroyd #5 4 years ago

    And this doesn't come on the disc because...?

    This isn't a GTA IV simultaneous release you know.

  • Xerx3s #6 4 years ago

    Well that's a nice kick in the teeth for the people who made your game a success. :/

  • seasidebaz #7 4 years ago

    Cool! I like the sound of having puzzly challenges.

    Plus, Sony needed a new exclusive after FFXIII ;)

  • makeamazing #8 4 years ago

    JSPOOLE please stop throwing your toys out the pram.

    Im sure the game will be similar or the same as the Xbox version and Im sure the extra DLC will be only something small... there hope your fanboyism ego feels better now ;)

  • Widge #9 4 years ago

    Lol is JSPOOLE in here?
    Let me find the de-ignore... comic relief this evening would be a fine thing.

  • seasidebaz #10 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE:

    So you've played this DLC then?

    Funny, the game's not even out yet...

  • Widge #11 4 years ago

    oh LOL
    *foams*

  • Widge #12 4 years ago

    Quick! He's not used the "no games on PS3" line yet! Someone else get in there!

  • johnnybrn #13 4 years ago

    Would you kindly make this available on all systems please ;)

  • Les #14 4 years ago

    But it'll still be a shit game (IMO) ;)

  • seasidebaz #15 4 years ago

    lol PS3 needs old games from the 360 to make it have 1 game ps3lol ps3nogameslol







    that good enough for ya Widge? ;)

  • penhalion #16 4 years ago

    Er why is this downloadable content? Why is it not included on the blu-ray. Surely they can't dare use the excuse of space limitations.

  • seasidebaz #17 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE:

    I ignore Metacritic now. I tend to ignore all websites that I know people have wanked over.

    edit: Fuck, that means I need to ignore Eurogamer... Own up everyone ;)
    Edited by 1 at 16/07/08 @ 20:50

  • tobsen #18 4 years ago

    I hate this exclusive DLC bullshit, regardless of the platform. That's a stupid and despicable marketing tactic and all the companies in that market should find better ways to compete rather than starving one part of their customers.

  • makeamazing #19 4 years ago

    Anyway ignoring the usual suspects (Ive only been on this site for a couple of months and its the same old names popping up)....

    Not sure if I'm going to get this yet, got it for the PC, and havent really got that far in it, dont like playing these types of games with a console controller. Same thoughts about Fallout 3, probably have to be a PC game for me also.

  • seasidebaz #20 4 years ago

    Ok, to back up your argument, pick 2 other games that have had a year apart between consoles. Then check on Metacritic. The secondary one will always score lower (see UT3 for details...).

    But I will say this to you now: THE GAMES ARE THE SAME.

    Having played the 360 version up to the tunnels bit, I want to play it again. The PS3 version is looking good now though.

    Just please don't keep falling back on Metacritic. I know you have some sense.

    edit: forgot smiley: here

    ;)
    Edited by 1 at 16/07/08 @ 20:55

  • seasidebaz #21 4 years ago

    reply:

    Yeha it won't change the core game, which will be the same, and I'm not getting pissy :)

    It's a good game. I gave up at the linear tunnels to the cove though as I found it a bit easy up to there and lost interest. Although I may pick it up again.

    The DLC is a nice addition, especially as I rather enjoy puzzle games.
    conclusion:

    Didn't mean to kick anything off there, but you should really stop relying on Metacritic ;)

    edit: Unreal was one of the first FPS games I got into, UT got me even more into it along with Quake3. I like the arena tournament games, but just personal opinion. ;)
    Edited by 1 at 16/07/08 @ 21:05

  • myiagros #22 4 years ago

    but JSPOOLE how can unreal tournament 3 be "shite on any platform" when your beloved MetaCritic has it as an 86. You can't have things both ways.

  • seasidebaz #23 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE:

    Wicked I never think anyone's having a go anyway, and for future reference take everything I say lightheartedly ;)

    360 owners really shouldn't care. There are more and greater games coming out to enjoy instead. You have to admit though, it's a nice little bonus to make up for PS3 owners having to wait so long ;)

    I suppose it's a bit like 360 owners getting FFXIII as a bonus for having to wait for a decent JRPG so long...

  • miiiguel #24 4 years ago

    I care. I love Bioshock and I'd love to have this. Still too scared of PS3 crowd though...


    edit: I like widge though, if everyone was like that on PS3, I would already have one.
    Edited by 1 at 16/07/08 @ 21:22

  • CannonAnBall #25 4 years ago

    ...and kiddy fare like LBP with loads of potential for shit user generated content.

    Excellent, excellent. The 360 launches the 'kiddie' avatar system that will no doubt spawn a mass of 'kiddie' avatar shite mini games on the 360 and you come out with that little pearl of wisdom.

  • SeesThroughAll #26 4 years ago

    I don't think this will stay exclusive for long anyway.

    Would be pretty daft.

  • CannonAnBall #27 4 years ago

    ...indeed but some good stuff usually floats to the surface!

  • Katsumoto #28 4 years ago

    I don't even need to de-ignore him, just watching the replies is comedy enough

  • miiiguel #29 4 years ago

    JSpoole, my hardcore 360 fan buddy, have to disagree with you again, I dig those avatars. Very nice, and it'll drag the gf into the (omg! amazing!) 360 (hopefully).

  • agparrot #30 4 years ago

    This does indeed sound interesting - it was possible to play through the original game without *having* to get too involved in the elegently designed plasmid and weapon combos, and would be nice to be given some puzzle-type levels to solve using them.

    I, also, do not understand why it has to be downloadable content. Is this just miscommunication, because there surely isn't a reason for it not to be on the disc?

    Maybe it is purely so you can Choose to play the DLC, and you don't have to obey the publishers desire for you to play it, like a slave.

    So long as it is free, of course.

  • seasidebaz #31 4 years ago

    Hehe good old miiiguel.

    He lives inside a 360, you know.

    That's why he can't say a bad word about Microsoft. They would evict him ;)

  • miiiguel #32 4 years ago

    er... I don't have any particular feeling towards MS (I don't even have a Win box at home, and I wrote plenty of reports - almost beging - to my boss in order to not change from HP-UX to Win).

    But it's true, and I never claimed otherwise that I do love my 360s.

  • seasidebaz #33 4 years ago

    Don't worry I'm only messing with ya ;)

  • FenderMaster #34 4 years ago

    So...

    we have to pay extra for bonus content?


    I remember when the PS2 got its port of Resident Evil 4...

    It came with an extra 10 hour + bonus story following Ada, with new locations and weapons...

    Capcom didn't make us pay extra for it

    I really want to punch whoever invented DLC in the nose, its just content that should come out of the box... like the Wii Motion Plus
    Edited by 2 at 16/07/08 @ 21:48

  • miiiguel #35 4 years ago

    OMG this conversation is strangely civilized, I'm outta here! To shoot stuff, that's what we do, right?


    :)

  • steoc4 #36 4 years ago

    A bunch of puzzle rooms seems like the wrong kind of DLC for a game that was built on atmosphere and story IMO

    Then again I got bored of the game very quickly, maybe the game mechanics got more interesting later on.

  • mkreku #37 4 years ago

    Better having exclusive DLC than having lots and lots of console exclusive titles. It used to be entire titles going exclusive and that sucks for everyone! Just a little exclusive DLC is much better, in my opinion.

  • mkreku #38 4 years ago

    And seriously, some of the things I've seen from the Spore Creature Creator is absolutely brilliant! Even the penis monsters. I kind of like user created content! At least it's good to have the CHOICE of it.

    I believe Microsoft will be forced to open up Xbox Live soon enough. People demand mods and penis monsters!

  • Xerx3s #39 4 years ago

    "OMG this conversation is strangely civilized"

    Yeah I think that it is a side effect of the disillusions of the e3. Don't worry, it will quickly wear off and everything will be back to normal.

  • Monkey_Puncher #40 4 years ago

    Meh, if it's not storyline influenced then I can't say I'm too bothered with this.

  • Widge #41 4 years ago

    miiiguel! I misunderstood you when I first came on here because I caught you out of context, you're a devils advocate I see. So always nice to read a good post from you!

  • Skooch #42 4 years ago

    Wow, what chivalry and politeness I am witnessing. Where is the flaming? I've donned my flame-proof suit just for this article.

    I guess it is late (ish) so all the kids are out nicking and stabbing people. Still, they will get bored of GTA eventually! :-D

    /Grabs coat and runs

  • Skooch #43 4 years ago

    ^ (Spoke too soon)

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #44 4 years ago

    Bioshock is a great game. Played it all the way through. My only gripe was that it started to become a bit of a chore half way through as it lacked either great puzzles/platforming or lots of killing/action. I think you need either one of these to make a great FPS game.

    It seemed to rely on the plasmid thing as if this added a RPG element to the game but it didn't really - you could get away with flame, electricity and telekinesis for the whole game.

    Fortunately the story, voice acting and the way you could listen to the recordings while playing was great.

    As for DLC. I've honestly never bought any DLC and I'm sure this will pale into insignicficance compared to the game you're getting.

    I played COD4 to death and didn't buy the extra maps as I'd moved on to GTA4. Currently playing Mass Effect and there's no way I'm getting the DLC for it even though it's awesome. Games are so long now and with so many new titles being released, I'm kind of relieved when I finish a game so I can move on!

    I might get the DLC for GTA4 as I'm hoping that really will be something special and I would have had a long enough break from the game.
    Edited by 2 at 16/07/08 @ 23:27

  • alimokrane #45 4 years ago

    Oh wait, didnt Sony say that they didnt care about exclusive content ???? hmmmmm

  • JediMasterMalik #46 4 years ago

    @JSPOOLE - How dare you insult LBP. Sackboy owns you from great heights.

  • progearspec #47 4 years ago

    @ Xerx3s

    I call "timed" exclusive, it'd be stupid not to.

    If not, then it really is a kick in the teeth.

  • davisorle #48 4 years ago

    Well how do u like our left overs? cause its like id go buy me a new car and being a 07 model.. About Portal u dont even know what it is yet so why the fuzz? oO

    Bottom line is I loved the game but i wouldnt play it all over again anywyas so Im not even interested any more till BioShock 2 comes out. You keep watching reruns u guys on ur PS3s just liek with Eternal Sonata and MANY other tittles... Wonder when u'll wonder if it's worth. bb

  • FladgeMangle #49 4 years ago

    It's pointless trying to use reason with the likes of JSPOOLE, he's the spiritual successor to Eiger Drover (anyone remember him?).

    It's always baffled me why people can hate Sony for telling a few porkies and yet embrace Microsoft, a company who's past record is far darker and littered with the corpses of former competitors and anti-trust rulings from entire continents.

    Still, you gotta laugh eh?

    edit: aniti?- try anti
    Edited by 1 at 17/07/08 @ 09:54

  • Eraysor #50 4 years ago

    Sony: "People don't care about exclusive DLC, they care about exclusive games."

    They seem to find a new way to be hypocritical every year.

  • septimus #51 4 years ago

    Ah JSPOOLE, one of the many rapid xbots on this site who I haven't blocked yet. Maybe it's time... he just isn't entertaining any more.

    Loved this game on 360 and I think I'd be happy to go through it again on PS3 as long as the price is right.

  • Ryze #52 4 years ago

    YAWN.

  • Farzlepot #53 4 years ago

    We didn't play Bioshock for the gameplay, now, did we?

    We played it for the great plot, narrative and the atmosphere. As far as I can gather from this article, these will remain the same on all platforms.

  • Nevaeh2Die4 #54 4 years ago

    Im so pissed off with that.

    bio shock has been the best single player game in the last few years & we at xbox make them game huge & they give sony dlc thats a f*ckn joke!!!!

  • Farzlepot #55 4 years ago

    "Yes, some of us did. It's fun thinking up new ways to take out splicers using the environment rather than taking the unimaginitive route of just shooting/zapping them. The more you put in, the more you get out."

    They're hardly 'new' ways. Other games have used very similar systems before now - be it 'force powers' from the Jedi Knight games, or 'magic' from CB: Undying or Vampire Bloodlines :The Masquerade, or even the various magical games around... Bioshock just gave their 'plasmids' a different name and proclaimed themselves original. Bioshock's greatest strength was its plot and atmosphere, it didn't really do anything new.

  • Farzlepot #56 4 years ago

    "So you didn't get much from the combat. Boo-fucking-hoo. Like I said, you get out what you put in."

    What does that even mean? What was I meant to 'put in' exactly? The combat system was there, I used it, it didn't do anything unique or even genre-perfecting. Could you please explain that last strawman?

    "I don't give a rat's ass what was hyped or what was promised, I'm having fun with it. It is a lot more flexible than 99% of the shooters out there, and that's enough to elevate it from the crowd, hype or no hype."

    I'm not saying it wasn't fun, I'm just saying that the combat system isn't what earned it 9/10s and 10/10s from so many review websites and individuals. You put that combat system in a bland world devoid of plot or atmosphere and I guarantee you it wouldn't have touched most peoples' consoles.
    Edited by 1 at 21/07/08 @ 09:13