From Columbia to Rapture, New Book Reveals Juicy Inside Story Behind The Making of BioShock

BioShock: From Rapture to Columbia is a Must Have For Fans

Aside from 2016’s BioShock: The Collection, which is a remastered collection of the BioShock series, it has been very quiet for fans. With no new BioShock game on the horizon or even a faint rumor of a prequel, spin-off or some type of BioShock experience in development, fans have nothing to look forward to at the moment. At E3 this year, maybe we’ll see something announced but I am not holding my breath. That being said, it’s isn’t all doom and gloom for fans as recently a new BioShock book was announced and we at COGconnected were lucky enough to get our hands on a copy. Yes, now you have an excuse to return to Rapture all over again.

bioshock book

Publisher Third Editions have a reputation as being one the best in the business when it comes to putting together thoughtful and comprehensive video game analysis books. Their latest book, BioShock: From Rapture to Columbia, makes the company’s fifth entry of a historical video game volume. In addition to BioShock: From Rapture to Columbia, you can also purchase Third Editions other books on the Zelda, Dark Souls, Metal Gear Solid series, and Final Fantasy VII. In fact, we recently posted about a new Kickstarter campaign launched by Third Edition here.

If you are looking for a fluffy coffee table book people can quickly flip through, this isn’t it. This is a no frills and no gimmicks book featuring no concept art, or snazzy screenshots from the franchise. It is all about giving fans a detailed and comprehensive account of the development of one of the most beloved narrative-driven first-person shooter franchises around.

It’s difficult to pinpoint any one particular element that makes the BioShock series stand out from the competition. It truly is the total package. The original game developed by Ken Levine’s Irrational Games included smart and open game mechanics which forced you to become creative. Set in the 50’s ambiance, with Art Déco levels, BioShock included many profound and philosophical themes. And it all centered around you, the player. It was certainly a level of immersion I had never experienced before.

BioShock: From Rapture to Columbia is a fascinating in-depth look at the entire Bioshock series and even touches on the game’s DLC. Everything from the games’ development process to the game design and stories, this book gives fans a look under the hood for the first time.

Given BioShock received an average review score of 96/100 for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows, and 94/100 for PlayStation 3, the timing seems perfect for an in-depth analysis of one of the highest rated games ever.

Written by Third Editions co-founders Nicolas Courcier and Medhi El Kanafi, with contributions from Raphael Lucas, BioShock: From Rapture to Columbia can be purchased now on Third Editions’ official website for £22.90 / $29.90 / €24.90.

A special Collector’s Edition is also available, exclusively from the publishers for £27.90 / $34.90/ 29.90€.

***A copy of the book was provided to COGconnected by the publisher***