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Brigid TenenbaumHQ
"The slugs alone could not provide enough ADAM for serious work. But combined with the host...
now we have something."
Brigid Tenenbaum

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For the removed content from BioShock 2, BioShock Infinite and Burial at Sea, see Removed Content.

Before its final version, BioShock was submitted with numerous ideas from its developers, 2K Games. This article's purpose is to reveal all recorded content that did not make it to the game, or that was modified beforehand. However, since the following elements were removed or unused on purpose from the final version of the game, they should not be freely considered canon to the game's history nor as an actual part of its universe.

The Original BioShock Pitch[]

Main article: BioShock Original Pitch

Very early in the development of BioShock a "pitch" was created to gain financial support from development of the game. This pitch gives a unique look at the concepts, setting and game mechanics first envisioned for BioShock.

Mechanics and Gameplay Elements[]

A Single Ending[]

BioShock was originally a game with only one, ambiguous ending. Levine remarked, "There are a million different things you can do in every combat; you can play it a million different ways. Looking into the future for the franchise, that's something I want to [figure out], that by the time you get to the ending of that choice path, you have a sense of your impact on the world through lots of little permutations rather than like a giant ending piece, if you follow my meaning." The multiple endings were added late in development, when the game publisher requested it.[1][2][3][4]

Levine later clarified in the 2016 developer's commentary that if it weren't for time and economic restraints, the one ending would have been more vague with a subtle story about "dissolute living" with "a life that is sort of separate from a moral structure" and would focus on "the moral ambiguity of the world".[5]

Atmospheric Pressure System[]

In BioShock, a feature originally existed that would change the local air pressure levels from low, normal, and high parameters.[6] It entailed altering the dynamic lighting and fog effects for each change and adjusting enemy AI animations, vocalizations, appearance, speed, and vulnerabilities. For example, flames would shoot farther under low pressure and bullets were more likely to blow things apart under high pressure.

This was eventually scrapped because it was difficult to visually convey to the player the changes in air pressure and its effects. Notably, the mechanic was reused in the tree-killing scene in Arcadia in conjunction with "a special plant shader that used a masking effect" similar to Julie Langford’s window writing death scene.[7] In addition, the system was used in the Andrew Ryan encounter in Rapture Central Control to orchestrate the theatrical lighting changes since the Unreal engine at the time did not have the tools by default.[8]

Associated Physical Gene Tonics (Ecology Type Plasmids)[]

  • Mutant Synergy (AggressorBuff)- Junkers who are near to you will take less damage.[9]
  • Drone Neural Dampening Field (DelayGathererAlarm) - Drones take longer to sound their alarms when near you.
  • Pressure Manipulation (EnvironmentResetting) - You can use a Pressure Station even if its timer is currently running.
  • Drone Attractant (GathererAttractant) - Makes Drones want to follow you.
  • Drone Synergy (GathererBuff) - Drones who are near to you will take less damage.
  • High-Pressure Armor - When local pressure is high, you take less damage.
  • High-Pressure Conservation - When local pressure is high, your Active Plasmids consume less EVE.
  • High Pressure Entropic Dampening - When local pressure is high, your weapons will not degrade.
  • High-Pressure Plasmid Synergy - When local pressure is high, all your other Plasmids are treated as if they had an extra slot.
  • High-Pressure Security Crate Access - You can automatically open security crates in high pressure.
  • Localized High Pressure - Your Weapons and Plasmids are always treated as if they were in high pressure.
  • Localized Low Pressure - Your Weapons and Plasmids are always treated as if they were in low pressure.
  • Low Pressure Armor - When local pressure is low, you take less damage.
  • Low Pressure Conservation - When local pressure is low, your Active Plasmids consume less EVE.
  • Low Pressure Entropic Dampening - When local pressure is low, your weapons will not degrade.
  • Low Pressure Plasmid Synergy - When local pressure is low, all your other Plasmids are treated as if they had an extra slot.
  • Low Pressure Security Crate Access - You can automatically open security crates in low pressure.
  • Guardian Synergy (ProtectorBuff) - Guardians near to you will take less damage.

Research Machine[]

Research machine-Mauricio Tejerina

The Research Machine.

This appears to be a device used to obtain Research Rewards. Similar to other vending machines, an item is exchanged for a service; in this case, film pictures are developed to gain valuable research information. In the final game, the machine is absent and the process is streamlined. Jack need only take a picture with the Research Camera to earn Research Rewards.

Strings from the game files indicate that developing photos would require money and the machine could even be hacked to reduce the cost.[10]

The Research Machine was designed by Mauricio Tejerina.

Dual Wield[]

Dual wielding, meaning that the player could use both their weapon and their Plasmid at the same time, was intended for BioShock, but was cut last minute for unknown reasons. This feature was later implemented in BioShock 2.[11]

In a 2015 question and answer session, developer Jordan Thomas slightly elaborated on the issue in response to a question about last minute revisions. "Well, I advocated loudly and annoyingly for true Dual Wield in Bioshock 1 - but for lots of very grown up responsible reasons, it couldn’t be done. I then promptly made it a central feature in 2. I’m proud of that..." [12]

Leaning[]

In the Hunting the Big Daddy trailer, it appeared that the player originally had the ability to lean behind cover.

User Interface[]

The user interface, both in-game and in the menu, changed a lot according to the Developer's Edition of Breaking the Mold. For example, in the tech demo, the HUD looked a lot different than in the final game.[13]

ADAM as Currency[]

Before the money feature was implemented, the original idea for currency was to be ADAM, as seen in the tech demo, where it was used to deactivate alarms.

Songs[]

At least two songs were planned to be included in the game, but the developers were not able to get the licence for them. The songs were Édith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose"[14] and the original French version of Charles Trenet's "La Mer".[15]

Levels[]

Before the Art-Deco style of Rapture was finalized, the different areas of the city were called Decks. For example, Fort Frolic was the Recreational Deck, and Arcadia was the Hydroponics Deck, which both were names for levels in System Shock 2.

BioShock-The-Collection 2016 06-29-16 001

The promotional image.

The Lighthouse[]

BioShock: The Collection[]

A promotional image for BioShock: The Collection featuring the remastered version of BioShock shows a different design for the Andrew Ryan statue in the Lighthouse lobby than what is seen in the final version.

Welcome Center[]

Kashmir Restaurant[]

EarlyAtlasKashmir

The early model, by Scott Sinclair.

The Restaurant has a blocked door leading to the Footlight Theater that was supposed to have a lot more bodies than the two seen in the game in front of the door, resembling everyone trying to get out at the same time and trampling each other during the attack on New Year's Eve of 1959.[16]

The Atlas statue in the restaurant had a slightly different model than what can be seen in-game.

The restaurant's interior was originally slightly different from what is seen in-game, visible in the gallery below.

Footlight Theater[]

The Footlight Theater was not originally a theater at all, but merely the burnt out shell of a building. Since the game developers had so many assets from the Fort Frolic level, it was decided to change the room into a small theater space to give the Big Daddy and Little Sister a literal theatrical introduction.[17]

This was the place where the player would originally get the Revolver from the Thuggish Splicer killed by the Big Daddy, but was moved to the Kashmir Restaurant's entrance so the player would get a gun earlier.[16]

Medical Pavilion[]

Early promotional images of the Medical Pavilion show it being full of makeshift barricades and barbed wire, making it appear much more like a literal war zone. The Pavilion's Metro Station was also originally located in a separate building and connected to the medical center via glass tunnel.

A "Tenenbaum, B. PhD." plaque is found in the game files for the level, which was not used in the final version of the game.[18] This indicates that Brigid Tenenbaum did have an office in the Medical Pavilion at one point during development. The same file also features laboratory and autopsy plaques which were also not used.

Arcadia[]

Players may notice a collapsed passageway at the end of Arcadia Glens. This was originally another way to the Langford Research Laboratories, but it was changed for unknown reasons. The park would have had two entrances to the Farmer's Market, the one at Tree Farm, which remained in-game, and another in the Rolling Hills which would have led directly into the wine cellar of Worley Winery.[19]

Also, earlier versions of this level had Ryan killing the flora in Arcadia in stages as the player progressed to each new area.[19]

Farmer's Market[]

The Farmer's Market was first built twice as large as its final version, with two symmetrical halves and long corridors for the various stalls. The level ultimately had to be cut in half for navigational and production reasons, and the market's corridors were separated using doorways.[19] The Rapture Metro Station found in Arcadia was first placed in the southeast corner of the Farmer's Market, where a Gene-Bank can now be found. It was moved to the Rolling Hills when the developers decided a trek back after healing the forest was boring and redundant.[19] The hanging corpses found in the crawlspace in one of the fruit stalls in the Main Market were leftovers from an idea of a serial killer loose in Rapture during the fall.[19]

An Epstein the Swami vending machine was intended to be included in this level, but developer Jean-Paul LeBreton simply forgot to add it.[20]

The logo for the Farmer's Market originally had a different design, but had to be redone in a hurry, leaving it with the Arial font, much to the developers' dread.[21]

Fort Frolic[]

Rapture Zoo[]

Concept-Rapture Zoo

Concept art of the Zoo.

The Rapture Zoo was an area that was intended to be included in BioShock as a part of Fort Frolic. Multiple interviews with developers of the game mention that this was a level that was ultimately cut fairly far along in the design process due to time constraints, and they indicate that it was one of the things they most regretted having to cut. The only known piece of information about this level is that it would have featured an elephant.

Ferris Wheel[]

A Ferris Wheel was supposed to be included somewhere in the map, but much like the Rapture Zoo, the wheel was cut far in the process. It was however included in the downloadable content Challenge Rooms.[22]

Rapture Central Control[]

BioShock Pre-Launch Would You Kindly Wall

The black text.

The "Would You Kindly" text in the workshop of the Office of Andrew Ryan was originally written in black paint instead of red.

Characters[]

Bioshock Emily

The Emily model. (AKA Beta Brigid Tenenbaum's model)

Brigid Tenenbaum[]

Brigid Tenenbaum originally had her own unique character model called "Emily." The early character model had two forms, one appeared to be a young woman in a mechanic's jumpsuit (Seen picture to right) similar to the Rosebud while the other form was that of an older woman in a more distressed jumpsuit. This model was cut and replaced with a slightly touched up Lady Smith model kept in the shadows. Brigid Tenenbaum was actually intended to have a unique character model in BioShock, but was left without one for the sole reason that there was no room in the budget.[23]

Captain Cal Franklin[]

Audio files (streams_0_audio.fsb & Vo_0_Planedive) holds a few unused lines spoken by Captain Cal Franklin, the pilot of Apollo Air Flight DF-0301. The full sequence including Jack's unique phrase without the missing part (in the game's English dubbed version only) and a stewardess imply a different opening where the plane crashed by accident instead of being hijacked. The lines are as follows:[24]

(vo_0_planedive in streams_0_audio.fsb)

  • Unknown plane hostess (southern accent): "Excuse me sir, excuse me… Excuse me sir, your tray table? Would you kindly-"
  • Captain (over intercom with static): "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Cal Franklin, it seems we have a bit of a problem."
  • Pilot: "We're losing altitude really fast. Looks like (we've) oversped number one and three; there's smoke coming out of the panel, and- I got it! Pull up! Pull up! I got it! Pull up!!!".

(vo_s_1_cp_layovertampa in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "...on a two-day layover in Tampa. And the wife was madder than...ohh, uh looks like we've got a..."

(vo_s_1_cp_losingaltitude in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "I got it! Pull up! Pull up! I got it! Pull up!!! Ohhhh!"

(vo_s_1_cp_remainseated in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Cal Franklin, it seems we have a bit of a problem up here. Please remain seated and we'll have this situation under control in no time flat."

(vo_s_1_cp_situation in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "North Atlantic Center GALTANIA 430: this is HOGATIA 420 at flight level two niner zero approximately 330 miles southeast Greenland, we've got a bit of a situation here."

(vo_s_1_wd_traytable in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "Excuse me sir, your tray table? Would you kindly put it in the locked and stowed position?"

(vo_s_1_pl_playerintro in streams_1_audio.fsb)

  • "When mom and dad put me on that plane to visit my cousins in England. They told me, son, you're special. You were born to do great things. You know what? They were right."

Julie Langford[]

Julie Langford was originally supposed to be a male: Holden Langford, but it was cut far in the progress. Ken Levine stated that they didn't have many female characters in the game, and so they made the change.[16]

The only reference to this in-game is a mistake made by the developers: if the player looks at the sign in the reception area at the entrance to Langford Research Laboratories in Arcadia, the subtitled text will read "Professor Holden Langford Research Laboratories."

Sander Cohen[]

Early footage of BioShock shows an alternate audio diary portrait for Cohen. It was also used on an early poster for Why Even Ask?

Kyburz[]

The file name of the sign for Kyburz' office in the Workshops is named Signs_Eng_Shader_OfficeOfWahl and sign_superwahl, indicating that Kyburz was previously named Wahl.

Enemies[]

Early Humanoid Gatherer Concept 2

An early humanoid Gatherer.

The Gatherer[]

Early Creature Gatherer Concepts

Early Gatherers, some looking more grotesque than others.

Before the Little Sisters were chosen to be the ADAM producers and gatherers in Rapture, many other designs were talked about and drawn up. The first idea was for the actual Sea Slugs themselves to be the gatherers, however this idea was scrapped as the player would not feel empathy for the slugs. Other designs included frogs, chipmunks, crabs, monkeys and even a crippled dog. Increasingly the Gatherer shifted to more humanoid beings to elicit empathy. The idea of using little girls was picked because the player would easily feel sorry for them and want to save them, making harvesting a much tougher choice.[25]

The icons displayed on the screen when the player is given the choice the rescue or harvest the Little Sister, were originally an angel for rescue and a devil for harvest. This was cut by Ken Levine, as he wanted to leave the morality of the choice ambiguous.[26] The Little Sister's eyes were at one point glowing completely red instead of yellow.[27]

Slow-Pro[]

Research Slow-Pro

Research Icon for Slow-Pro.

SlowPro

A Slow-Pro in early gameplay.

Main article: Slow-Pro

The Slow-Pro, dubbed "SlowProFum" or "Slow Pro FUM" by the development team, was a model of Big Daddy cut from BioShock. Standing for "slow-moving, projectile-shooting, f'ed-up-melee", this Big Daddy was intended as a slow, ranged type that would center itself and kneel to fire a heavy projectile at enemies via a large arm-mounted cannon. However he was cut out in late development due to limitations in file space and storage.

It was also planned to get research points from Slow-Pro like other enemies in some point of development. His research icon can be seen in BioShock: Breaking the Mold. This Big Daddy was modified and featured in BioShock 2 as the Rumbler, where the player can now get research points from him.

Slug Bug Big Daddy[]

Slug

Concept art for the Slug Bug.

A fourth type of Big Daddy called the "Slug Bug" started to be developed, but never got past the concept art stage. This Big Daddy type would have had a large slug-like creature riding on the head and shoulders of the Big Daddy suit. Several of the slug's tentacles were rammed into the viewports of the suit. Other smaller tentacles produced arcs of electricity and could fire bolts of plasma at its enemies. It was first envisioned that the player would have to kill the slug in order to defeat the Big Daddy, but the concept was deemed unworkable.[28]

Savants[]

Savants were genetically engineered enemies/bosses in an early version of BioShock. The Savants were essentially "heads in jars" that was in control of the city and affect different aspects of each level in the game. Each level had its own Savant that would have to be defeated, two of which were named Themis and Prometheus. The developers felt that there were too many [Savant] characters that didn't make any sense and that interactions/fighting a head in a jar was not fun or logical.[29][30]

ADAM Anomaly[]

Sinc adam anomaly

An ADAM Anomaly.

This is an enemy concept from before before production on the game started. Little is known about this enemy other than it seems to be a collection of objects forming a roughly humanoid torso with what appears to be electricity flowing over and around it. Some of the objects are: a pipe for a right arm, a left arm created from a Rosie's Rivet Gun and the "Photographer's Eye" advertisement from a Gatherer's Garden where a head would be. Also included are pieces of ruble, a Big Daddy helmet and metal struts. It is unknown if this construct was deliberately created with Plasmids or an uncontrolled creation due to the overuse of ADAM.

Aggressors[]

During the early stages of BioShock's development, the game's main enemies, who at this point were called Aggressors, had purposefully mutated themselves in order to be able to utilize better weapons and become stronger foes. As their concepts developed, the team decided that the enemies became creepier as they became more human. Eventually this realization, along with the change in Rapture's design and purpose, led to the Splicers seen in the final game. Though removed from the final game, many Aggressor models appear as statues in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

Stitchy[]

Museum Remaster 6

The Stitchy model in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

"Stitchy", also known as the Ranged Aggressor, was the first Splicer created. Stitchy was fully functional in-game with kinematics, hit reaction, voice-over, and was used in many early demos. Stitchy is a very muscled character, missing an arm and carrying a Shotgun in the other. He only wears pants, has a tumor growing out from his head, and what appears to be intestines hanging out from his stomach. Lead artist Shawn Robertson labeled him as "Probably the worst abortion that Irrational has ever made".

Yam Hand[]

Museum Remaster 8

The Yam Hand model in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

The Yam Hand was an early concept for a Splicer from a time period when disproportional limbs were being considered. Of special note is the misshapen head which it's creator Robb Waters liked since "It kind of made you wonder what the heck was going on under that dingy burlap sack". Given the lack of weapon, this Splicer may have resorted to melee attacks.

Missing Link[]

Museum Remaster 7

The Missing Link model in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

The "missing link" Splicer is the last of the more monstrous Splicers and points towards the development of the more human ones seen in the final game. The official name seems to be "Rifleman". As with some other designs of this time, this Splicer has a device on his back that is pumping fluid into him. Unlike most other Splicers in development at the time, his clothes are mostly intact and he does not have disproportionate limbs.

Hooker[]

Museum Remaster 4

The Hooker model in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

The "Hooker" is an early character model for the Spider Splicer that was created before the enemies for BioShock were determined. The model is a bald female with hooks attached to her arms and legs, giving her the ability to climb on walls and ceilings. She was eventually developed into the Baby Jane Splicer model.

Grenadier Splicer[]

Museum Remaster 3

The Grenadier model in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

The "Grenadier" is what would ultimately have similar functions as the Nitro Splicer. This large gray model spliced to carry giant grenades to throw at the player. He has a backpack and a messenger bag for the grenades and additional smaller bags attached to his pants. He has a strange black tool sticking out from his chest and bandages covering the majority of his arms and face.

Splicer Models[]

StephensonSpirits

An early look at Fort Frolic.

Baby Jane[]

The Baby Jane Splicer has been seen in some pre-launch images of BioShock wearing both a pink dress and a white fabric rose. Neither of these cosmetic variations are seen in the final version of the game.

Her earlier concept designs also show her with medium-length unruly, brunette hair, and more cuts across her face.

Early Character Types[]

EarlyCharacterSplicerConcepts

The early concept for the archetypes.

Once it was decided that the Splicers would be more human, early ideas were drawn up of the different types of people who be seen in that era. The designs on the right show five early ideas. A businessman (which would eventually evolve into the Breadwinner model) and four others models which never made it past the drawing board, a Bellboy, Greaser, Waitress, and a School Girl.

Ducky[]

Concept-Ducky Hats

Concept art of Ducky's headgear.

Concept art reveals that various types of headgear were considered for the Splicer model Ducky. In addition to the waterproof hood that all Ducky Splicers wear, a peaked police cap, a Brodie-style helmet listed as "riot gear helmet," a pair of goggles, and a firefighter's hat were proposed. The latter headpiece also suggests that Ducky might've had a fireman orange colored uniform could've expanded Ducky's range of duties to that of a firefighter. Ultimately, only the police officer's hat made it past the drawing board.

Mommy Dearist[]

Nurse Splicer

Concept art for the female Splicer.

Concept art from BioShock: Breaking the Mold reveals an illustration of a unique female Splicer labeled Mommy Dearist[31] that does not appear in the final game. She wears a light-teal colored dress accessorized with single orange glove, ascot, and fascinator.

Nothing is known about the character since it was never made, but the design of her dress was used for the many female Corpses seen in the game. Although she doesn't appear in the game, various parts of her design have parallels with the appearance of other Splicers: Lady Smith has a similar 1940's hairstyle and silhouette, one of Toasty's eyes are covered with a heavy gauze bandage, and Baby Jane wears a dress with a dramatically torn hemline. It is perhaps because of these multiple comparable designs between her and other Splicers that this model never made it past the drawing board.

Early Splicer Concept Art[]

The road to the finalized Splicer design was long and varied. Many monstrous designs were proposed before the game creators finally agreed that a more identifiably human enemy delivered greater horror and pathos than any deformed "creature" could. Many of the Splicer designs were showcased in the Museum of Orphaned Concepts.

Businesses[]

Ad poppa police

Poppadopolis Police Department[]

The Poppadopolis Police Department is a subscription police department that operated in pre-war Rapture, only known from a single, unused advertisement in the Strategy guide. In Rapture's objectivist economic conditions, there were many other subscription services, including semi-canon businesses, like Fontaine Fire Fighters. Judging from the poster, there seems to be multiple other subscription police services.

Ad fontaine firefighters

Fontaine Fire Fighters[]

Fontaine Fire Fighters is a fire department owned by Frank Fontaine, operating in Rapture. The company's policy was swift action in case of a fire emergency. Fontaine Fire Fighters was ultimately cut from the game and thus is a semi-canon business.

Sinclair Spirits[]

Sinclair Spirits was originally named Stephenson Spirits. This is revealed from the texture file for the sign, as it reads Stephenson_Spirits_Diffuse.tga and from a prelaunch image of Fort Frolic displayed above.[32]

Wismuller Beer

Wissmuller Beer[]

Advertisements for Weissmuller Beer were intended to be featured in BioShock, which is evident by its appearance in BioShock: Breaking the Mold and on the back of the PlayStation 3 manual for BioShock. The advertisement did however make it into BioShock 2 Multiplayer and The Protector Trials.

Topaz Brand[]

Pre-Release Arcadia Baby Jane Security Bot Fight

The pre-launch image.

Topaz Brand Apples Fruit Crate Label

The advertisement.

WoodBarrier destroyed diffuse

Wooden plank texture files.

An advertisement for Topaz Brand apples was seen in a pre-launch promotional screenshot of Arcadia. Unlike many in-game advertisements based on real-world fruit crate labels, the Topaz Brand fruit crate label doesn't appear to have been altered in any way.

A portion of the label does appear in the final game as part of generic wooden planks which typically appear on boarded-up doors such as those in Fontaine's Home for the Poor, but the advertising poster is never seen in-game.

Champ Brand & Dupuis Produce Company[]

Bio Unused Champ Brand Poster

A poster advertisement for Champ Brand sweet potatoes and yams is found in the game files, but is not seen anywhere in-game. The packaging for the brand was done by the Dupuis Produce Company, which has its only appearance on said cut poster.

Top Card & Lambert Marketing Company[]

Top Card

The game files feature an advertising poster for Top Card brand Bartlett pears, produced by Lambert Marketing Company, which didn't make it into the final game.

The ad is in actuality a slightly altered real-world fruit crate label for Top Card brand Bartlett pears,[33] which was packed by the real Lambert Marketing Company. The in-files poster has been altered to have the country and location of origin removed, to show that it is a product of Rapture.

The same real-world label was used as a base for another removed poster: Billy G. - "The Ace", which appears to be an advertisement for an album/single. The name Billy G. is a reference to BioShock's Lead Level Designer Bill Gardner.

Wellsworth[]

Unused Seahorse Bathysphere Model Poster

Wellsworth is a Bathysphere maker in Rapture. It was the producer of the 1959 "Seahorse" Bathysphere model and the company slogan was "Simply fathoms above the rest…". Concept artist Robb Waters designed an advertising poster for a Wellsworth "Seahorse" Bathysphere model for BioShock, but neither the poster, the Bathysphere model, or any mention of Wellsworth appeared in the final version of the game.[34]

Telephone Company Advertisements[]

The loading screen for the Welcome to Rapture level and the PlayStation 3 exclusive installation screen feature two unused advertisements for telephone services. The Welcome to Rapture loading screen advertisement is seen in an early screenshot of the level, right outside the Kashmir Restaurant. The only things that can be made out from the advertisement is a telephone handset and the price tag of 5 or 6 ADAM (ADAM was the currency of Rapture before, being changed to the Rapture Dollar, see "ADAM as Currency"). The Playstation 3 Installation screen advertisement shows a man and a woman on the phone and reads "Rapture Local and Long Distance Service!". There is a "New Rapture Low Rates" section, listing the prices for calls to many areas in Rapture, including Arcadia, Fort Frolic, Hephaestus, Medical Pavilion, Neptune's Bounty, Point Prometheus and an illegible one. There is also an illegible small print in the middle of the advertisement. If the two advertisements are connected to each other or if they are related to the Pay-phone is unknown.

Richard's Cheese[]

Early Richard's Farm Fresh Quality Cheese Poster On Loading Screen

The loading screen, showing the early version of advertisement.

Richard's Farm Fresh Quality Cheese was originally named just Richard's Cheese, as seen in the Farmer's Market's loading screen, which shows a screenshot of an early version of the level featuring an alternate and very different version of the Richard's Farm Fresh Quality Cheese advertisement.

Objects[]

Ammunition[]

Game files of BioShock mention an unused type of ammunition called Disease Bolt.

Bioweapon[]

Bioweapon-Mauricio Tejerina

The Bioweapon.

Fastened from impromptu parts and resembling a pump-action bug sprayer, the Bioweapon can be seen as the precursor to the Chemical Thrower. The device fires chemicals that were eventually integrated into the player's Plasmid abilities. The four Plasmids it was capable of expelling were Insect Swarm, Berserk Toxin, Disease Cloud, and a Generic Repellent.

Bioweapon Silverwing Apiary

The trimmed down Bioweapon as it appears in the Silverwing Apiary.

Interestingly enough, both the Bioweapon and its ammunition exist in Rapture. A slightly toned-down version of the weapon can be found in the Silverwing Apiary, though it cannot be used in its original function. Cans of "Berserk" can be seen stacked in one of the target practice stands at Rapture's Grand Carnival in the Challenge Rooms stage A Shocking Turn of Events. Hovering over the "Berserk" cans with the cursor will display the "What is this?" help caption. However, pressing it will not open any specific section, only the help menu. The Bioweapon was designed by Mauricio Tejerina.

EVE Hypo[]

The original EVE Hypo (as seen in the BioShock X06 trailer), had a smaller, leaner needle filled with a green murky liquid.

Gatherer Machine[]

Gatherer machine-Mauricio Tejerina

Gatherer Machine.

What appears to be a significantly different version of the Gatherer's Garden was designed by Mauricio Tejerina. Aside from being flanked by the iconic Little Sister statues, the machine more closely resembles a Vita-Chamber than the Plasmid-dispensing vending machines.

Med Hypo[]

The Med Hypo was cut at late development from the game and is only mentioned in the audio diary "Big Night Out". It still exists in the game files and can only be accessible through console commands. The Medical Hypo is an item found in System Shock 2, the game BioShock is a spiritual successor to, and its associated sound has been reused for the EVE Hypo injection sound. Its unique effects included boosting the health of the player by 30%, and it would fill the player’s health bar for 8 seconds.

Health Station[]

As seen in early screenshots of the game, the cross on the Health Station was at one point fully colored red, instead of just the outlines.

Masks[]

Maks

Unused masks.

Concept art shows the iconic masks seen in the game would've been colorful. In the final version only the masks worn by Sander Cohen's disciples are colored while the rest are a uniform white material with minimally embellished filigree details. Originally, there was supposed to be both a bat and fish mask in BioShock, but they aren't present. The fish mask did ultimately get used in “A Shocking Turn of Events” as a prop.

Cohen's Muse Key[]

Icon musekey unused

The game files also include an alternate icon for Cohen's Muse Key. This one is golden instead of red version seen in the final version of the game.

Lot 192[]

Icon lot192 unused

Originally, Lot 192 was supposed to have an icon, and it can be seen in the game’s files, but it was ultimately unused as Jack consumes the substance immediately upon picking it up meaning there's no chance to see the icon.

Power to the People[]

Early Power to the People Model & Concept

Gatherer Machine.

Before the Power to the People machine was finalized, it had a some-what different design. The overall structure was the same, but it had different ornaments and logo. It was also originally called "Fire for Effect".

Gene Tonics[]

Organic Pockets[]

Organic Pockets was a Gene Tonic that was removed from the final version of the game. It allowed the player to have double the normal capacity for First Aid Kits, and EVE Hypos. This tonic was ultimately removed from the game prior to release, but still can be enabled on the PC version with modification.

Shutdown Expert[]

Shutdown Expert was a Gene Tonic in BioShock that was removed from the final version of the game. The tonic would have changed the amount of time that Security Cameras and Turrets stay hacked. Since Security Devices in the final game stay hacked permanently, this tonic was dropped. However, it can still be enabled in the PC version of the game through modification, although it will not give any effects.

Plasmids[]

Aggressor Irritant[]

Aggressor Irritant is a Plasmid that existed in an early video of BioShock, narrated by Ken Levine, but was ultimately removed from the game. This Plasmid is similar in functions to Enrage and Security Bullseye, but different in that when used on an enemy, it would have caused everyone in the area to attack them.

Parasitic Healing[]

Parasitic Healing was cut in late development of the game. The Plasmid would have fired an energy bolt at enemies, damaging them and healing the player. As with most other Plasmids, Parasitic Healing would have had three levels of advancement. In addition, certain Spider Splicer variants would have been able to use this Plasmid. These enemies would have appeared in multiple levels, including Point Prometheus and the Proving Grounds, and would have looked the same as regular Spider Splicers.

Sanctuary[]

This Plasmid was cut in early development. It was to create a bubble to protect the player, intended to be used while hacking, as initially the game did not pause during this time.

Speed Booster[]

This Plasmid was cut during early development, and only appeared in the first demo. BioShock 2 Multiplayer's Aero Dash has similar functions.

Telekinesis 2[]

The Telekinesis Plasmid was to have an upgraded version named Telekinesis 2 that was supposed to cause more damage. The sales pitch was: "Mind over matter has never been better, with new, improved Telekinesis! PULLS an object to you, then THROWS it with IMMENSE FORCE."

The Plasmid is featured in BioShock 2.

Telekinesis Icon[]

Alternate Telekinesis Eyes-Open Logo

Originally the man seen on the Telekinesis icon would have had visible pupils showing that his eyes were open. In the final version, they're absent.

Teleportation[]

This Plasmid was cut late in development due to the potential for glitches and skipping important story events. It still appears via an in-game advertisement.

In BioShock 2, the Plasmid shows up as an Easter Egg in Fontaine Futuristics.

Audio Diaries[]

Public Address Announcements[]

Achievements / Trophies[]

Booze Hound[]

Unused BioShock Achievement & Trophy Icon 1

Booze Hound was originally meant to be used for an unknown trophy, but its icon had an XXX label on the barrel below the St. Bernard's head.

See Also[]

References[]

  1. "Levine: '…opposed to multiple endings'" on Rock Paper Shotgun
  2. 2007 interview with Ken Levine on Gamespot archived at web.archive.org
  3. 2014 interview with Ken Levine by THE WAYFARING DREAMER [1]
  4. BioShock: The Collection - Director's Commentary - The Creative Process
  5. BioShock: The Collection - Director's Commentary - Questions Of Morality
  6. Five Cut Features Irrational Games blog
  7. Arcadia Demade Notes by developer Jean-Paul LeBreton
  8. BioShock: The Collection - Director's Commentary - A World Of Themes
  9. Plasmids.ini - Ecology Plasmids -- TRACK CUT! section from ConfigINI.IBF
  10. From the file Machines.ini: "HackingSuccessFeedbackText="Successfully hacking this station will cause photo upload costs to be lowered."
  11. Ken Levine on Twitter
  12. Kotaku Asks: A Game Designer Who's Worked On BioShock And South Park
  13. BioShock Tech Demo *HD* on YouTube
  14. Brush Up for BioShock originally at Gametap.com; archived at archive.org
  15. Ken Levine Talks BioShock at IGN.com
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 BioShock commentary with Jean-Paul LeBreton
  17. Ex-BioShock Dev Shares 'Welcome to Rapture' Secrets - IGN First on YouTube
  18. Medical Pavilion Plagues on Imgur
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 "Arcadia Demade", designer commentary by BioShock developer Jean-Paul LeBreton on his blog, vectorpoem.com
  20. Arcadia Demade Developer Commentary
  21. BioShock with designer JP LeBreton -- Idle Thumbs Streams (Pt. 3)
  22. BioShock: Breaking the Mold
  23. BioShock: The Collection - Director's Commentary - Community Theatre
  24. BioShock's subtitle text files: streams_0_audio.fsb & Vo_0_Planedive
  25. BioShock Making of - Characters on YouTube
  26. Q&A: Diving deeper into BioShock's story interview with Ken Levine on GameSpot
  27. BioShock Launch Trailer on YouTube
  28. BioShock: Breaking the Mold, Developers Edition
  29. BioShock Making of - Evolution on YouTube
  30. Designing the Opening Level of Bioshock with Bill Gardner on YouTube
  31. The art book in the BioShock iOS app
  32. An early look at Fort Frolic
  33. Bioshock and Fruit Crate Labels on imgur
  34. Robb Waters' Flickr
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