Rumor: New BioShock plasmids already exist

by Dustin Burg { Sep 5th 2007 at 2:30PM }

Those sneaky file searchers over at the 2K Games forums have uncovered a few text strings embedded in the PC version of BioShock's game code which hint at a new set of plasmids coming our way. After looking through the game's install files for a reference to a PC game editor, forum member Zemlor stumbled across a reference to a piece of content called "PlasmidPack1". The description for the content reads; "Having concluded clinical trials on four new Genetic Improvements, Ryan Industries is proud to announce the general release of their newest products:" and lists four new plasmids including Machine Buster, Vending Expert, Sonic Boom and Eve Savor. Not only that, but the game code also lists various unused plasmid types and descriptions. Exciting, no?

But don't get overly pumped just yet, because it seems that the new plasmid content needs to be activated via some sort of online key. Also, this code was found on the PC version and could simply be "junk code". Though, we're the gambling types and are willing to bet that new plasmids will be hitting the XBLM in the near future and (fingers crossed) for free. Because if we have to pay for them and they are already on the BioShock game disc awaiting an online "activation code" to unlock, then we'll be a few bitter fanboys. Not allowing us to use certain content that's already on the disc for the sole reason of charging us down the road makes us furious. Don't do it 2K ... don't do it.

[Thanks, Matt]

Tags: 2kgames, bioshock, irrationalgames

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MDJ2010 @ Sep 5th 2007 2:48PM

I wondered how long it would take for Bioshock DL content rumours to begin, and brilliantly it hasn't taken long at all. Very Exciting news!!!

xenocidic @ Sep 5th 2007 2:51PM

having already beat the game twice i wouldn't get too excited about new plasmids unless they also released some new levels with some extra cheevos

Tony @ Sep 5th 2007 2:59PM

What's a cheevo?

Mauricio @ Sep 5th 2007 3:01PM

this does sound like good news but it makes me wonder. If the code was already on disc why wouldn't they just implement it in the game. Seems wierd to make us use an activation code.

oh well. hopefully they put it out for people to use.

Dean @ Sep 5th 2007 3:02PM

Probably an Achievment.

I would bet on 2K charging for the content, given the response BioShock [apparently] gave to somebody regarding the licensing on the PC version.

http://gamers-creed.com/?p=500

Or check out n4g.com and ctrl+f "bioshock". Should be the first thing that pops up.

Tony @ Sep 5th 2007 3:12PM

I really don't know that some minor DLC and transferring licenses between users (even if they are the same guy, I'm not sure why he can't just stay in that admin account to avoid the issue entirely) are really that equatable.

Mauricio @ Sep 5th 2007 3:14PM

@Dean - Wow that sucks. Its a double standard. The 360 can have more then one Gamertag(User) play the game on the same Console. why cant a PC?

Nicholas @ Sep 5th 2007 3:16PM

Yup, it's all on PartnerNet... oups!! did I say that?

Tony @ Sep 5th 2007 3:17PM

You get 5 activations, from what I understand. So he can have it under his user and then four others on PC, technically.

cadaver @ Sep 5th 2007 3:19PM

About the part of them charging for wahts already on the disc... Game makers have been doing this for years already.

It obvious when a car or a level download is 14kb, that it is an unlock key.

Namco did it with ridge racer, but thankfully they did it for free.

EA charged for it, in Carbon.

I can't remember specific titles, but I noticed this very early on in the 260's lifecycle... and yes SHAME, is a good word, but I think GREED might fit a little better.

xenocidic @ Sep 5th 2007 3:20PM

@tony cheevo = uber-hip way of saying achievment

xenocidic @ Sep 5th 2007 3:24PM

oh, by the way, here is the in-game advertisement for what I can only assume will be called sonic boom(?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJesHQB1g_s

(not rick astley, I promise)

x silence x @ Sep 5th 2007 3:30PM

@Nicholas

I can also confirm that :)

Kamal @ Sep 5th 2007 3:35PM

Too bad I did not win bioshock before.

BitChain @ Sep 5th 2007 3:54PM

i don't understand this obsession by online commentators that somehow content to be activated which exists already on disc is somehow an illegitimate practice when charged for. so what if it's already on disc, maybe it's just logistically better that way as you save users the time to download that content, and let's face it there are not many games that fill a DVD to the brim, so why not use that extra space for planned future content? honestly, it's bizarre that just by including the content on the disc commentators somehow believe it transfers automatic ownership to the disc holder - do you think you own DirectX or the Unreal Engine 3 just because they are also on the disc?

The 7th Number @ Sep 5th 2007 4:11PM

@ xenocidic

I seen that cloud guy on a station to buy new plasmids. So they could be unlocked.

2k might charge us for something already on the disc. If im not mistaken, nba 2k has a replay recorder/editor that you can buy, but its already on the disc, you just have to buy the key.

With that said, what is really the difference? The fact that you are buying less KB/MB of a download? You are paying for something if its on the disc or if its downloaded totally to your hard drive. Personally i would rather have more space on my hard drive, and just download a key. Rather then download the whole thing onto my hard drive.

xenocidic @ Sep 5th 2007 4:21PM

i think the reason people complain about being charged for content that's already on the disc is because they've paid for the disc. the retail purchase is supposed to cover the costs incurred in development prior to launch.

if these things were already built into the game prior to launch, well, there you go. you've paid for it already.

paying extra for DLC is all well and good if you're paying for additional POST-LAUNCH programming efforts. not something that's already been done in the initial development cycle and included at retail launch.

make sense?

The 7th Number @ Sep 5th 2007 4:25PM

@ xenocidic

You make a very strong point. I would have to agree with that too. Anything put on the disc before the game goes gold should be included when you buy the game. DLC should be anything added after the game has been released. Expansion packs, news weapons, whatever. They shouldnt pre plan to hold something back before launch and then turn and sell it to us again after we buy the game already.

xenocidic @ Sep 5th 2007 4:35PM

I guess my degree in philosophy wasn't a total waste ;>

Mauricio @ Sep 5th 2007 4:52PM

@BitChain - just to be clear, the unreal 3 engine is not on the Disc. When you buy a painting, you only buy the finished piece of art. you dont buy the easel, the pallete, the tubes of paint and the brushes.

i can see your point and i understand they can do whatever they want. Its just an underhanded thing to do. They make us pay 60 bucks for the game and then make us pay more for content thats already on the same disc. Its not even Downloadable Content by definition.

Mat @ Sep 5th 2007 5:37PM

So we're getting pissed and jaded about what, exactly? Sorry, I left my unnecessary and ridiculous interweb anger at some possible maybe hypothetical scenario at home today.

haukke @ Sep 5th 2007 5:50PM

when EA started charging for the carbon content it says very plainly that this content CAN be ulocked by playing the game.they did not in any way try to trick anyone into buy anything.it is free enterprise.if they want to charge for cheats and people buy them do not blame EA, blame the people buying them.

Mauricio @ Sep 5th 2007 6:13PM

Mat's Comment FTW!

Caanon @ Sep 5th 2007 7:18PM

You can see it being used here at the 3:00 mark exactly. Notice the splicer goes through the railing... I'll bet that's why it didn't make it into the final game. Too many bugs... I'm guessing it broke the story mode somehow (as in, let you get somewhere you're not supposed to be yet).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB-mkRkN2MY

ryan @ Sep 5th 2007 7:39PM

why would you need any more plasmids anyway? i seriously just use like 3 at any given time. it's a great game and im having a blast with it, but without multiplayer i can't see a reason for DLC.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Sep 5th 2007 11:23PM

just like they said for the so called PS3 port hinted by content found on the PC version this one my fall in the same boat. take two said devs often leave stuff floating around in games. next thing you know thers gonna be another story one more big daddy hinted some where else in the code.

mike @ Sep 6th 2007 1:39AM

that ps3 code is completely different. Most likely there was a ps3 version planned at one point (I dont care what the company says) and that was left in there.

We are talking about entire segmeants of code to create new objects in the game that have already been written. When stuff like this occurs its usualy along the lines of

Bioshock Lead boss: "Is our game done yet developement team?"
Staff: "yup we just finished the last bit of code for bioshock"
Boss: "Good, now remove those 4 plasmids from the game, and we will charge our customers for new extra content a month after the game is released"
Staff: "Yes boss"

Thats how these scenarios play out, and that is why there is an outcry. Its a scam, no two ways about it.

Im all for DLC free or paid content, But im totally against ULC (unlockable Content) free, or paid (Even if its offered free, its still a dirty trick having the company pretend to be caring about its fans and releasing new free content when in fact its not new and just content with-held from the final release) Like imagine we found out that Raven down and Old bones in GOW were on the disc at release and Epic mearly tricked people into thinking they were new maps by holding them back to help give their game a boost in sales and popularity down the road (This is just an example, thats not what happened)