BioShock Series
Ken Levine and Irrational Games' Philosophical Immersive Sim Triumph
Created in 2007 by Ken Levine at Irrational Games, BioShock elevated gaming into high art by deconstructing Ayn Rand's objectivism inside the decaying underwater metropolis of Rapture through genetic Plasmids and the iconic phrase 'Would you kindly?'.
Rapture and the Collapse of Objectivism
Conceived as an underwater sanctuary by industrialist Andrew Ryan free from government taxes and moral restraints, Rapture collapsed into violent madness following the discovery of mutagenic substance ADAM. Wielding conventional firearms in one hand and genetic Plasmids (telekinesis, lightning, fire) in the other, players navigated moral choices when confronting drill-wielding Big Daddies and harvesting Little Sisters.
'Would You Kindly?' and Deconstructing Player Agency
The climactic revelation that protagonist Jack had been conditioned to obey every order preceded by the phrase 'Would you kindly?' executed a profound metanarrative critique of unquestioned obedience in gaming. In 2013, BioShock Infinite expanded the universe into quantum multiverses above the floating sky city of Columbia alongside the companion AI Elizabeth.