14 DAY TRIAL // One of the interesting things related to BioShock 2 is that the multiplayer component of the title is being created by Digital Extremes, while 2K Marin handles the development of the single player portion of the game. And it seems that Digital Extremes is trying to make sure that the multiplayer stands on its own and even becomes a reason in itself to get the game.
Talking to Eurogamer, Mathieu Berube, who is the lead multiplayer designer, Leslie Milner, the lead producer at Digital Extremes, and Melissa Miller from 2K Marine offered more details related to the multiplayer component, starting with the revelation that a good chunk of narrative would be delivered via the level progression that would take place during the matches.
As people gain experience, they will get access to new communications from Sinclair Solutions, detailing the way the civil war torn Rapture asunder ten years before the events of BioShock 2. Players will not be forced to buy into the narrative but it will provide a reason for those who enjoy single player to engage in multiplayer matches.
The developers are also saying that in addition to all the plasmids and weapons that will be available in single player, gamers will be able to make use of new stuff, like the “power dash plasmid” and the “geyser trap,” that should provide more tactical possibilities.
The level cap is set at 20 and experience points will be awarded for most of the things people do in the game, from hacking turrets to taking out enemies. The maps accessible in multiplayer will mostly be re-visited and re-designed locales from Rapture that players have already seen in the first game.
There are still some details that the developers are not ready to unveil at the moment but more stuff will be shown in the run up to the October 30 release date.