2K hires Digital Extremes for BioShock PS3 makeover

by: Dan - posted: 7/3/2008 1:41:00 PM

2K Games announced today that they have contracted with Digital Extremes (Unreal, Dark Sector) to assist in the development of the Playstation 3 version of BioShock. The company will join in-house developers 2K Marin, 2K Boston and 2K Australia with the conversion and addition of new features and content. Digital Extremes role will be to optimize BioShock for the PS3, based on the knowledge from working on Dark Sector. That looks like an awful lot of development manpower and effort for a conversion and upgrade project.  Makes you wonder if they are getting behind in meeting the scheduled October release...

EDIT [Dan] - Fixed typo of console

2K Games Announces Partnership with Digital Extremes
Premier Development Studio Tapped to Optimize BioShock® for the PLAYSTATION®3 System

New York, NY – July 3, 2008 – 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it has signed an agreement with Digital Extremes to assist in the development of BioShock® for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Shipping to retailers in October 2008 with new features and content, the PLAYSTATION 3 system version of BioShock is being developed by 2K Marin, 2K Boston, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes.

"By partnering with Digital Extremes, 2K Games is delivering a fully optimized experience that takes advantage of the PLAYSTATION 3 system hardware," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "Bringing Digital Extremes on board allows us to continue to deliver the best experience possible to our fans."

Headquartered in London, Ontario, Digital Extremes brings more than 15 years of experience as one of the gaming industry's premier developers. Digital Extremes pioneered technological and graphical design within the video gaming industry as the co-creators of Epic Games' Unreal® franchise. Using the experience it gained from working on the recently released Dark Sector®, Digital Extremes is partnering with the 2K studios to help optimize BioShock's performance on the PLAYSTATION 3 system.

"When 2K approached us to assist with development on BioShock for the PLAYSTATION 3 system, it was a no-brainer," said James Schmalz, CEO and founder of Digital Extremes. "You really can't ask for a more exciting, technically impressive world to work in than Rapture, and the incredible knowledge and talent between the 2K studios and our team at Digital Extremes is unprecedented. The collaboration on this project will make the PLAYSTATION 3 system sing with Big Daddy goodness and Little Sister 'thank you's'."

BioShock is a narrative-driven action experience that allows players to do the impossible as they journey through an amazing, immersive and terrifying world. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically mutated citizens, the player will come to grips with the mysterious and fascinating world of Rapture, a distinct Art Deco underwater utopia gone mad. BioShock not only challenges players' capacity to adapt and survive, but brings to question their values and commitment to the inhabitants of Rapture. With smart and adaptive AI, no encounter ever plays out the same, while numerous customization options provide gamers with an experience that adapts to their playing style.

BioShock for the PLAYSTATION 3 system will be available in October 2008 and is not yet rated by the ESRB. For additional details, visit www.bioshockgame.com.

About Digital Extremes

Founded in 1993 by industry visionary, James Schmalz, Digital Extremes ranks as one of the world's top independent development studios in the interactive entertainment industry. The Canadian based developer is best known for its co-creation of Epic Games' Unreal®, the multi-million unit selling franchise which includes the award-winning PC series Unreal and Unreal Tournament as well as Xbox® hit Unreal Championship. Digital Extremes recently shipped the highly-acclaimed next-generation 3rd person action title, Dark Sector® using its proprietary next-gen technology, the Evolution Engine™. For more information visit the company website at www.digitalextremes.com.