Bioshock Demo Rated and Approved by German Rating Board!

Bet you didn't think you'd be hearing this when you got up this morning, now did you? Oh wait, half the population of the globe is still asleep. Oh well, the Internet runs 24/7 so eventually, you'll be reading this piece of news too. It seems that PC gamers, Xbox 360 gamers and FPS fans alike, are getting a demo of Irrational Games' and 2K Games' highly anticipated next-gen title, BioShock (the spiritual successor of System Shock 2).

Here's what I found via BeyondUnreal.com: "According to 360 Gamer, the Germany's USK ratings board has approved a BioShock demo (with a rating of 18), meaning that a demo might be soon. With a retail release date of August 21 that should come as no surprise, but it's welcome news all the same."

The game indeed launches August 21 in North America, while Europeans have to wait until August 24 to pop it in and start shooting and harvesting adam. But you didn't think you'd be getting a glimpse at the game so soon, did you? Actually, a hands-on experience even. Well, let's not get carried away, shall we? The USK ratings board has approved a BioShock demo, period. No one said anything about launching it...

I'm not very funny today, am I? Don't worry, the demo is on its way, even though Irrational Games and 2K Games are keeping quiet for now. They didn't rate and approve a demo of the BioShock to not launch it, so it's coming. Anyway, here are some of the game's main features, so you can scratch your eyes at not knowing when to expect the demo and on what format:

- Biologically mod your body with plasmids: genetic augmentations that empower you with dozens of fantastic abilities. Send Electrobolts storming from your fingertips, unleash a swarm of hornets hatched from the veins of your arms, strategically turn enemies against one another with irritants.

- Take control of your world by hacking devices and systems: reprogram enemy security bots into personal bodyguards, modify vending machines to change prices and transform machine gun security turrets into powerless pieces of metal.

- Upgrade your weapons at Fire-For-Effect stations located through Rapture. Craft variants of ammo and plasmids by picking up materials in the city to modify them at U-Invent kiosks.

- Experiment with different battle techniques with BioShock's free form combat options: gameplay scenarios can be approached with a variety of weapons, active and passive plasmids, environmental objects utilization, exploitation of political alliances, or a combination of techniques. Find your style but know when to adapt.

- Explore an incredible and unique art deco world hidden deep under the ocean, vividly illustrated with realistic water effects and truly next generation graphics.

- Make meaningful and mature decisions that culminate in the grand question: do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture to save yourself�or risk all to become their savior?

Keep in mind, the full version of Irrational Games' and 2K Games' BioShock launches on August 21 in North America and on August 24 in Europe.