Reaching For the Heavens: BioShock Infinite's Racial Themes and Crafting Columbia with Ken Levine

In part one of an extended conversation with Bioshock Infinite Creative Director Ken Levine, Adam and Ken discuss the history and themes behid the city of Columbia. Where does the idea for the floating city come from, and what sort of themes have informed the dark underbelly of its populace? How has some of the darker parts of American history (and its Founders) influenced the narrative? Ken answers these questions and much more in part one of our interview series.
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[@robinbongers9843]

Ken Levine did for games what Alan Moore did for comics, which is bring literary power to it. Bioshock is amazing.

[@mynamesSpartacus]

YES, YES, YES, and more YES!!!

[@hopehepperlin2519]

PREACH THAT SHIT Even though it has been 4 years since

[@WickedLady2010]

SPOILERS: If I'm wrong correct me, but did all 3 games have the same theme of a father and a daughter. In Bioshock if you save all the little sisters jack becomes their father, in Bioshock 2 Eleanor see subject delta as her father(figure) and her actions are shaped by yours. While in Bioshock Infinite you are basically trying to get your daughter back and are just on one big adventure with your daughter. Wrong or right?

[@schwalmy8227]

You are right, but when you play burial at sea you will sea why that is the goal

[@WickedLady2010]

DubstepRoyale i did play it and it one of the saddest DLC I have ever played T_T

[@schwalmy8227]

WickedLady2010 its horrible that 75% of bioshock fans probably havent even played it

[@WickedLady2010]

DubstepRoyale What!?! that's a tragedy

[@schwalmy8227]

WickedLady2010 i had a friend who was a massive bioshock fan and didnt even know that burial at sea existed until i told him. Just imagine if infinite was pushed back a year and the game was split up into 2 episodes in the main game. 2nd episode being buried at sea so that everyone that played the game at launch could experience it

[@AmericanHairlines69]

We get alot of games, but no quality content like this. So good.

[@Kuomon]

These interviews with Ken Levine are amazing. I really wish we had more developers with his sensibilities in the games industry who truly understand the power of this medium

[@daxter3000]

Glad I watched this interview before playing the game, now I'll have a deeper appreciation for the subtle nods toward American history throughout the game. Great interview Adam!

[@LateNiteGibberish]

I absolutely love the energy of the interviewer/host. He kind of reminds of Psycho from the Crysis-games. Levine is brilliant as usual.

[@Rev3Games]

Hey folks - unfortunately we've had to turn on approved comments due to people trying to spoil the game. We hate to do this, but we feel like its the best solution right now. As a result it might take a while for your comment to show up, but we'll get to it as fast as we can.

[@Rev3Games]

Look who recently dropped into the office! Reaching For the Heavens: BioShock Infinite's Racial Themes and Crafting Columbia with Ken Levine. Join them for a discussion on racism in BioShock Infinite and the real history that inspired the fictional world of Columbia.

[@willbrine1404]

I don't want to pull a Prometheus and go and buy this game before I've had a chance to read a couple trustworthy reviews...but I really want to go buy this game. Should I?

[@BenjaminArnold]

Ha! After Assassins Creed 3 I'm the same way. So much hype... so much disappointment.

[@raresmacovei8382]

AC3 is the best game in the franchise.

[@Ilregard]

I really liked how they went over the subtler elements of storytelling and world-building in the game. There dont seem to be any boring infodumps, just clever use of set-pieces and dialogue to set atmosphere and give the player information of their surroundings. Pretty cool.

[@strongforce79]

Damn Adam has great interviewing abilitys.

[@blade9871]

I it's so good watching these AFTER you play the game. You actually get something from these after you play the game instead of before playing the game.

[@Runefang47]

"That's why Batman is more interesting than Superman" Preach it

[@privateye21]

Between Adam and Kevin I am more sold on this game then I ever was. This was a fantastic interview. Adam was great and I'm glad to hear smart questions that I would ask myself.

[@mouseno4]

This guy would be an amazing person to just sit down and have a chat with. History really does interest me as well and i could imagine talking for hours.

[@videojuegosargentina]

Very good interview adam. Thank you for not asking the routine questions.

[@vikingraider58]

Being a huge history buff, I love playing games like BioShock and Assassin's Creed, and seeing the references to events in those periods.

[@KaiokenTimes10]

Levine is the best designer/director out there. hands down. period. Pushing the envelope with real subjects? Yes please. And he stands up for his work. BIG RESPECT. Bravo Ken This is how we make the industry into one that makes art, not only entertainment.

[@hoptop77]

please let there be more to this interview and im really glad it wasnt an interview about the gameplay but about the philosophy of it.

[@dudeman650]

Hey Adam keep up these types of shows with developer's. The interviews are faciniating!

[@Chainsawyou]

Getting some serious ASMR from Ken Levine, makes me want to take a nap.

[@LookiTooki]

Great discussion with some minor audio distractions in the background. I recall playing the original bioshock for 3 hours with about 10% of the graphics being rendered and still playing it because I was so engaged. Quite excited for Infinite.

[@subterraa]

movies, story telling and video games in general have finally been bridged together this game is the closest thing to an interactive movie that you will ever play it is absolute art.

[@dvd123abel]

I got mad props to ken and his team up in irrational games, and Adam for being my fav gamer/interviewer

[@hametsuj]

As someone who has played and loves both games, I have to give the crown to Bioshock Infinite. If you haven't played it yet, I highly recommend it.

[@GuMpAkC]

I love this channel. Adam speaks not just as a reporter but as someone who genuinely loves games and loves his career. The way both Adam and Ken talk about this game makes it even more difficult to wait for release.

[@lemonpartyhellyeah]

even when hes not talking about the game hes still awesome to listen too.

[@RebbieChan]

Check the audio logs. Rosaline tells Robert about what he did before he lost his memories as well as in some of the final scenes they bring Booker through and she mentions that he loses his memory and Robert says something along the lines of "I know, I lived it." the reason they don't lose their memories as they travel around throughout the game's main timeline is because they have already been killed and are outside of space/time as they say at one point, I'm not sure where though.

[@Nicalapegus]

Class act. I'm referring your channel to all of my friends, keep up the incisive interviews and fair reviews!

[@ellrick]

I am terrified of the comment section on any Infinite video right now, but I braved a few lines scrolled to say this interview was fantastic for a history, video game, and Irrational lover such as myself. I always appreciate it when I can watch or read something about gaming and not feel like the target audience is some mouth breathing teenager. Great work Adam.

[@skoti1511]

This game looks so stunning & just looks perfect as if the whole team at irrational went over each little detail 100 times cannot wait !

[@SizzytopCA]

Im glad he is using the Star Command t-shirt. Showing support for indie games.

[@xdcgvbhnjm]

They seem like two good friends talkiing about something they love

[@RyuRanXII]

Beautiful Star Command t-shirt! It's nice seeing big developers supporting kickstarter projects.

[@brookstech]

Outstanding stuff here. I hope Rev3 continues on this trend.

[@ShutterSnapped]

This is the first game where I've had that feeling of watching a movie again and enjoying it more. Not just because you like it but there are connections made, new understandings of the story and writing cleverly laid out by Ken's direction. There are a ton of great games out there but this one truly is a landmark in this generation.

[@fatsqueek2657]

Eagerly awaiting part 2.

[@Nicholasryan17]

Thank you, I didn't even realize people already had access but I was just about to scroll through the comments to see what people thought.

[@CaptainMorganThe3rd]

I like the use of Bach's "Air" around the six-minute mark. Very appropriate.

[@Otacon3480]

Ken Levine and Hideo Kojima are the two best developers in gaming. They have total creative control over their projects and these two men have a real feed on what the gamer needs and wants are. They create experiences that are one of a kind and unreplaceable..

[@zsreich]

The white city isn't in the game, its a reference to the 1893 worlds fair in Chicago. Artists at Irrational games were inspired by the architecture and design of the fairground and it served as the inspiration for some aspects of columbia.

[@RaLLenheimer]

i saw this 1 hour long interview on gamespot and i must say ken levine is a intresting guy and i cant wait to play this bad boy next week and to experience the story !

[@OKAMIgotfuzz]

This game will change everything. Just from the non spoiler teases that Adam and Ken are talking throughout this video, it seems like this game will be a masterpiece.

[@coheno1986]

Ohh man, it's always a treat to listen to Ken Levine talk.

[@thestationproduction]

By far, the best game of our generation. I have never played a game with so many breath taking scenes and moments. The whole story line is amazing and in the beginning can be very confusing, but nearing the end everything starts to make sense and it gives you a sense of fulfillment. I have never been so proud to beat a game in my life due to the fact of the connection I had with Elizabeth and the ending is marvelous. Seriously it was THE BEST ending in any game I have ever played.

[@1SeniorSmurf]

two legends in the industry.

[@BigDrKoke]

8:08 I completely understand what's happening and support artistic expression in all art-forms... but that look, is the coolest look you could ever get from anyone, anywhere.

[@unknownandunnamed]

I love hearing Ken Levine talk, particularly with Adam Sessler. Their first discussion was what got me on to Rev3

[@MikeIsNexciting]

Can't wait, probably not getting it day 1, but shortly after and hopefully in time for the long-easter weekend.

[@froztbite15]

Ken is a very smart dude. He understands history and themes. I love seeing him in an interview.

[@WrathOfEnd]

Yes, you are right. Elizabeth would cease to exist, but the dimensions where Booker refuses the baptism will continue to exist and result in Anna being born, but since all the Comstocks never existed, Anna doesn't get taken/given away, breaking the infinite loop. Also, Booker at the end makes a statement that suggests that the first Elizabeth at the end scene wasnt the real one(look at her necklace), which might mean Elizabeth is still alive somewhere.

[@JPLC]

So far, this is a great interview. Developers are usually a very opaque bunch during PR things, but after watching this, I feel I actually know something about Levine and his ideas as opposed to just learning "in the game, you do THIS". Bravo, Rev3.

[@bigstabby]

This conversation alone sold me on this game.

[@AstralMatrix80]

Honestly, they should make a new category for the Pulitzer Prize titled Interactive Fiction. Ken Levine should be the first recipient. He's an amazing/rich storyteller. And you Adam Sessler should get one for for Explanatory reporting!

[@nofurbuisness]

Infinite was the first game to make me want to collect the recordings because of it's incredible story and interesting characters, and that's something really hard to do in games I think today.

[@RavishingRob]

The two greatest at what they do. Adam's reviews are honest and pure. Ken's vision for games is unbelievable he knows what gamers want. More like these two!!!

[@Pianoslave1]

It's always nice to see game directors who are actually intelligent. I love that Kevin is a big history nerd :)

[@brainfreeze10]

I've never been a fan of Adam Sessler, but I do have to say he's probably my favorite interviewer in the video game industry. He always has interesting conversations, even if I disagree with most of his own views.

[@yacanman11]

Devil in the City was a great read honestly. I'm glad one company takes it upon themselves to do some reading and incorporate it into their products, somehow.

[@DunkeyKonga]

To clarify the ending for you, when Booker/ Comstock drowns during the baptism, only Comstock dies eternally. I think what Irrational intended was to treat Comstocks emergence from the baptism as a new birth, at least his mindset and decision making would have been completely different to Bookers. Booker still lives on because from the time between Booker being born, and his death at the baptism there are an infinite number of Bookers that make an infinite number of choices.

[@bloodangel13]

I believe the name your looking for is Mike Pondsmith, who's credits includes Cyberpunk 2013, Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk V3 which are a series of pen&paper RPG's. And he's not just the creative director. He's also writing the game.

[@Thorsanbauer]

Video quality of interview is amazingly clear. What video cam is used?

[@heyitsablackguy9553]

I'm guessing a RED or a 5d.

[@lUKEO1216]

Two of my idols in the video game industry in the same room. Awesome!

[@optifreex]

i love the music at the beginning and Mr Sesslers intro for Mr Levine. It feels for a moment like i'm Inside The Developers Studio.

[@revan210]

This is out on Tuesday. I can't quite believe it, it still hasn't sunk in yet.

[@dubistdrann]

Id love to talk to Levine once, hes one intelligent man.

[@Leinad44]

I could listen to Ken Levine talk about game development all day.

[@iamtheduke87]

Once again Adam you make video games seem culturally significant no matter what it's about thanks man

[@TheTomD]

Ohhhh hell yes, you can never have enough of Ken Levine!

[@nckinder7]

I saw this guy (not ken Levine) do a debate on the news (Fox possibly) and ill say he is very well spoken and very smart. And impressive man in an industry and culture that needs people like him to represent us as more than a bunch of ten years olds as we are commonly thought of.

[@SilverSteinDude01]

This goes through my mind everytime I watch an interview with him.

[@DrMarmalader]

This interview just got me into the game

[@ZombieRain0]

This video feels different after watching Sessler's review. Worth a re-watch.

[@MrEddie442]

Combine that with one of the most intelligent and verbally composed interviewer/game reviewer I have ever seen and you get an absolute quality KZbin video that deserves way more views than it is currently receiving.

[@St_Heresy]

I think this video made me actually want to play Infinite. Thanks Adam

[@ultramagodofwar2153]

Why didn't I know adam was here till now. I am so happy to hear him speak the truth about games. I was leaning to buying Defiance but seeing adam give his take and spin on Bioshock3. I think i will buy this game.

[@michaelsuite9329]

Your feelings are valid, and for me personally it was the other way around, when I played the first Bioshock I rented it so I had to rush to get it done so I could get a reduced price, so I missed out in a way, but I never really wanted to explore that much, good thing Bioshock Infinite comes with Bioshock 1, but in Infinite I almost everything I saw or heard was incredible, when I go back to Bioshock I'll definitely pay more attention. But Infinite pressed all the right buttons for me.

[@sobekflakmonkey]

I'm Canadian, I got all the references, we're well educated up here, there was some spots that I wasn't too familiar with though, solid game.

[@TosyrLongvine]

Ken Levine is such a cool guy. I'm glad he's the creative director at Irrational.

[@fullbloodednarutofan]

Bravo, this talk just made me wanna buy this game. These videos really make a difference, know that Adam.

[@peterpete1239]

this game is the most mind blowing game i have ever played. and im only through the intro

[@lukezim5]

The two greatest men in the gaming industry talking it out. I'm in heaven......

[@92NUKE]

the bioshock games give an amazing narrative on history, politics, economics and morality. this is how games should be. i have nothing against the simple straightforward shooters ect, but i feel like games have the opportunity to combine the story telling ability of literature and art much like movies do but with the addition of a feeling of discovery and personal investment that other mediums lack. you are not simply learning of a story. you are making it, you are part of it.

[@sommervilleTRS117]

Thank you Rev3 games !!

[@seanh7731]

I love you, I had Halo 4 spoiled for myself weeks before the game came out.

[@Grazmuck]

This was a great interview Adam. I'm a fairly new subscriber to this channel and I have to say it has become one of, if not my most anticipated place for videos to appear in my sub box

[@Dillon23100]

i definitely agree. i think i learned more from this video game interview than i would have spending 3 days in my U.S. History class rofl

[@1hiphopopotamus1]

got so much respect for Ken Levine, mans a legend.

[@smikebacts]

I can't wait to get started on this game. Ken is in every way my favorite game developer.

[@Danobryon1]

Looks awesome! Can't wait to play it

[@kalphitekil]

thank you. this game mentioned so much that i have been thinking about.

[@feeish]

I wish I could just sit at a table next to these two guys in a restaurant and just listen to them talk for hours or so.

[@TMGX101]

... ,but Bioshock Infinite is not just some crappy rpg, fps, etc. Bioshock Infinite is one of the very few games to earn the right to be called beautiful, grand, great, amazing, respect-deserving, all these things and more. Bioshock Infinte is astonishing, astounding, surprising, stunning, staggering, shocking, startling, stupefying, breathtaking; awesome, awe-inspiring, sensational, remarkable, spectacular, stupendous, phenomenal Art and more then deserves these titles.

[@MrSineCera]

What a great interview.

[@KrisLovesMoviess]

Did he just say Real Politick? That's very Machiavelli idea that I so happily just learned about in AP Euro. Yay History does benefit life!

[@ProdigyOfSinMD]

In light of The Last of Us, I truly believe Bioshock Infinite was the Citizen Kane moment of gaming. The Last of Us and Bioshock Infinite have both manipulated gaming to a true story telling medium, giving depth and meaning to their story line, and acting as a social commentary on current circumstances. Looking back on early literature and early film, this is what elevates the medium to an artistic level. Oh Roger Ebert, why you die so early.

[@UJustGotDovahkiined]

While I definitely agree that Bioshock Infinite isn't the messiah of gaming subterraa seems to think it is, it was definitely one of the most immersive experiences I've ever had. Irrational has always been great at narrative and storytelling, and Infinite was just another example, but they're not the only one. Also, in their essence, all video games are interactive movies.

[@Mercgo]

I really enjoyed this INSIDE THE DEVELOPERS STUDIO.

[@digitalbazin]

Ken has to be the most "internet comment aware" high profile game maker around. Been watching a slew of interviews with him lately and he always seems keenly aware of even the most fringe gaming forum accusations.

[@Panthro-lo2lh]

this is an very intelligent conversation. i cant help but think that a lot of what has been touched on will be missed by the general populace. maybe i'm a cynic but i dont think people will get that deep into it.

[@Recylops]

GOD FUCKING DAMNIT I love listening to this man. Can't fucking wait for this game...