BioShock Infinite promises to give players a harsher, more demanding gameplay experience with a new difficult mode.
Born out of community feedback, Irrational Games has decided to introduce a special difficulty mode for its upcoming FPS/RPG BioShock Infinite. Titled “1999 Mode”, this setting will offer players a much more demanding experience than the usual “hard mode” found in the series’ previous titles. The choices players make will have “irreversible implications,” requiring careful planning and resource management.
“If your choices guide you down a path not suited to your play style, you will suffer for it,” Irrational’s Community Manager Eduardo Vasconcellos explained. The idea for the feature came from a recent survey, in which roughly 57% of participants said that being forced to make permanent decisions would be a significant improvement to the game.
“In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions,” Irrational’s Creative Director Ken Levine added. “In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specialisations, and focus on them.
“There are game saves, and you’re gonna f***ing need them.”
Levine didn’t offer any explanation as to why the new setting is called “1999 Mode”, though if I were to hazard a guess, it may be a reference to an earlier Irrational Games title, System Shock 2. Creative Director Ken Levine served as lead writer and designer for the sci-fi action RPG, which was lauded for its story, sound design, and most importantly its challenging gameplay, which often required players to make tough choices in the development of their character.
Source: Eurogamer
