Editing BioShock (section)

==Reception==

===Critical response===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 96/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=PC Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416053016/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/bioshock|archive-date=April 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><br />PS3: 94/100<ref name="MCPS3">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=PlayStation 3 Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|access-date=April 9, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419111729/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/bioshock|archivedate=April 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><br />X360: 96/100<ref name="MCX360">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360|title=Xbox 360 Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=April 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419090908/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/bioshock|archivedate=April 19, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><br />iOS: 68/100<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bioshock/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=iOS (iPhone/iPad) Critic Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=August 17, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710133540/http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/bioshock|archivedate=July 10, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 1UP = A+<ref name="1UP.com Review">{{cite web|last=Pfister|first=Andrew|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/bioshock_3|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[1UP.com]]|date=August 16, 2007|accessdate=August 16, 2007|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20121210050948/http://www.1up.com/reviews/bioshock_3|archivedate=December 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Destruct = 10/10<ref name="Destructoid Review">{{cite web|last=Linde|first=Aaron|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/destructoid-review-bioshock/|title=Destructoid review: Bioshock|website=[[Destructoid]]|date=August 17, 2007|accessdate=November 24, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125180108/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/destructoid-review-bioshock/|archivedate=November 25, 2021|url-status=live }}</ref>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge Magazine Review">{{cite web|author=Anon.|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/bioshock-review|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|date=October 15, 2007|accessdate=October 15, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604061754/http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/bioshock-review |archivedate=June 4, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG = 10/10<ref name="Eurogamer Review">{{cite web|last=Reed|first=Kristan|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-bioshock-pc360|title=Bioshock review|website=[[Eurogamer]]|pages=1–3|date=August 16, 2007|accessdate=August 16, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240622025907/https://www.eurogamer.net/r-bioshock-pc360|archivedate=June 22, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GI = 10/10<ref name="Game Informer Review">{{cite web|last=Reiner|first=Andrew|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/41497688-5BCB-4C0A-B952-A1B1440E2139.htm|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[Game Informer]]|date=n.d.|accessdate=August 16, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822013757/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/41497688-5BCB-4C0A-B952-A1B1440E2139.htm|archivedate=August 22, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GSpot = 9/10<ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web|last=Gerstmann|first=Jeff|authorlink=Jeff Gerstmann|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bioshock-review/1900-6176947/|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[Gamespot]]|date=August 20, 2007|access-date=August 20, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916025642/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/bioshock-review/1900-6176947/|archivedate=September 16, 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpy = 5/5<ref name="GameSpy Review">{{cite web|last=Graziani|first=Gabe|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bioshock/813243p1.html|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[GameSpy]]|pages=1–3|date=August 16, 2007|accessdate=November 25, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210161036/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bioshock/813243p1.html|archivedate=February 10, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.7/10<ref name="IGN_2007-08-16"/>
| OXMUK = 10/10<ref name="OXMUK Review">{{cite web|last=Griliopoulos|first=Dan|url=http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=1182|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[Official Xbox Magazine]]|date=August 24, 2007|accessdate=May 26, 2025|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007024828/http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=1182|archivedate=October 7, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCGUK = 9.5/10<ref name="PC Gamer Review">{{cite web|last=Francis|first=Tom|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169983|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[PC Gamer]]|date=August 16, 2007|accessdate=August 1, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070910141247/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169983|archivedate=September 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCZone = 9.6/10<ref name="PC Zone Review">{{cite web|last=Hogarty|first=Steve|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169992|title=Bioshock Review|website=[[PC Zone]]|date=August 16, 2007|accessdate=November 4, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315114115/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=169992|archivedate=March 15, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| TA = 4/5<ref name="TouchArcade Review">{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Eric|url=https://toucharcade.com/2014/09/03/bioshock-review/|title='Bioshock' Review – Is An iOS Gamer Not Entitled To A Mobile Rapture?|date=September 3, 2014|website=[[TouchArcade]]|accessdate=August 17, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818052259/https://toucharcade.com/2014/09/03/bioshock-review/|archive-date=August 18, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
| award1 = [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Art Direction]], [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Original Music Composition]], [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Sound Design]], [[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Story Development]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/51219/aias-honors-call-of-duty |title=AIAS Honors Call of Duty 4, BioShock, The Orange Box in GOTY Awards |first=Chris |last=Faylor |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2016 |work=[[Shacknews]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927161717/http://www.shacknews.com/article/51219/aias-honors-call-of-duty |archive-date=September 27, 2016 }}</ref>
| award1Pub = [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]]
| award2 = (2007) Best Game
| award2Pub = [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]]
| award3 = (2007) Game of the Year
| award3Pub = ''[[Game Informer]]''
| award4 = (2007) PC Game of the Year
| award4Pub = [[IGN]]
| award5 = (2007) Best Game
| award5Pub = [[Spike TV]]
| award6 = (2007) Game of the Year
| award6Pub = ''[[X-Play]]''
}}

''BioShock'' has received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator [[Metacritic]], with the game receiving an average review score of 96/100 for Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows, and 94/100 for PlayStation 3.<ref name="MCX360" /><ref name="MCPC" /><ref name="MCPS3" /> Mainstream press reviews have praised the immersive qualities of the game and its political dimension. ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' described it as "a beautiful, brutal, and disquieting computer game&nbsp;... one of the best in years",<ref name="bostonglobereview">{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2007/08/27/bioshock_lets_users_take_on_fanaticism_through_fantasy/ |title=''BioShock'' lets users take on fanaticism through fantasy |work=The Boston Globe |date=August 27, 2007 |first=Hiawatha |last=Bray |access-date=November 9, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014004508/http://www.boston.com/ae/games/articles/2007/08/27/bioshock_lets_users_take_on_fanaticism_through_fantasy/ |archive-date=October 14, 2007 }}</ref> and compared the game to [[Whittaker Chambers]]' 1957 riposte to ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', "Big Sister Is Watching You". ''[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]'' also mentioned the Ayn Rand connection (a partial anagram of Andrew Ryan) in a report on the game which featured a brief interview with Levine.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-09/pl_games |title=''BioShock'' owes more to Ayn Rand than Doom |first=Kieron |last=Gillen |date=August 21, 2007 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |access-date=November 4, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709002750/http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/15-09/pl_games |archive-date=July 9, 2008 }}</ref> The ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' review said "I never once thought anyone would be able to create an engaging and entertaining video game around the fiction and philosophy of Ayn Rand, but that is essentially what 2K Games has done&nbsp;... the rare, mature video game that succeeds in making you think while you play".<ref>{{cite news | title = BioShock |first = Misha | last = Davenport | date = August 24, 2007 | work = [[The Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' review concluded: "Sure, it's fun to play, looks spectacular and is easy to control. But it also does something no other game has done to date: It really makes you feel."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.game.co.uk/News/?lid=8845&ad=12_03_2008 |title=Los Angeles Times review |access-date=June 10, 2008 |publisher=Game.co.uk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213022541/http://www.game.co.uk/News/?lid=8845&ad=12_03_2008 |archive-date=February 13, 2009 }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reviewer described it as: "intelligent, gorgeous, occasionally frightening" and added: "Anchored by its provocative, morality-based story line, sumptuous art direction and superb voice acting, ''BioShock'' can also hold its head high among the best games ever made."<ref name="nytimesreport">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/08/arts/television/08shoc.html?ex=1346904000&en=f4891059b252959b&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |title=Genetics gone haywire and predatory children in an undersea metropolis |first=Seth |last=Schiesel |work=The New York Times|date=September 8, 2007 |access-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113181138/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/08/arts/television/08shoc.html?ex=1346904000&en=f4891059b252959b&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink |archive-date=November 13, 2007 }}</ref>

[[GameSpy]] praised ''BioShock''{{'s}} "inescapable atmosphere",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bioshock/813243p1.html |title=''BioShock'' (X360) |publisher=Gamespy |date=August 16, 2007 |first=Gabe |last=Granziani |access-date=August 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820072325/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bioshock/813243p1.html |archive-date=August 20, 2007 }}</ref> and ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]'' lauded its "inconceivably great plot" and "stunning soundtrack and audio effects".<ref name="OXMUK Review"/> The gameplay and combat system have been praised for being smooth and open-ended,<ref name="IGN_2007-08-16"/><ref name="Game Informer Review"/> and elements of the graphics, such as the water, were commended for their quality.<ref name="IGN water">{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ign.com/Irrational_Games/2007/05/23/55572/ |title=IGN first look at the Little Sisters |work=IGN |date=May 23, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103135013/http://blogs.ign.com/Irrational_Games/2007/05/23/55572/ |archive-date=November 3, 2007 }}</ref> It has been noted that the combination of the game's elements "straddles so many entertainment art forms so expertly that it's the best demonstration yet how flexible this medium can be. It's no longer just another shooter wrapped up in a pretty game engine, but a story that exists and unfolds inside the most convincing and elaborate and artistic game world ever conceived."<ref name="Eurogamer Review"/>
Reviewers did highlight a few negative issues in ''BioShock'', however. The recovery system involving "Vita-Chambers", which revive a defeated player at half-health, but do not alter the enemies' health, makes it possible to wear down enemies through sheer perseverance, and was criticized as one of the most significant flaws in the gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=170293 |title=''BioShock'' Review |work=Computer And Video Games |agency=[[Xbox World|Xbox World 360]] |access-date=July 24, 2007 |date=August 16, 2007 |first=Alex |last=Dale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315114522/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=170293 |archive-date=March 15, 2009 }}</ref> IGN noted that both the controls and graphics of the Xbox 360 version are inferior to those of the PC version, in that switching between weapons or plasmids is easier using the PC's mouse than the 360's radial menu, as well as the graphics being slightly better with higher resolutions.<ref name="IGN_2007-08-16"/> The game has been touted as a hybrid [[first-person shooter]], but two reviewers found advances from comparable games lacking, both in the protagonist and in the challenges he faces.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/21212 | title = ''Bioshock'' review | publisher = Yale Daily News | access-date = November 4, 2007 | date = September 7, 2007 | author = S.T. Hedgehog| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071211035626/http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/21212| archive-date = December 11, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1394-Zero-Punctuation-BioShock |title=''BioShock'' review |work=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |first=Ben |last=Croshaw |date=September 5, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102132608/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/1394-Zero-Punctuation-BioShock |archive-date=November 2, 2007 }}</ref> Some reviewers also found the combat behavior of the splicers lacking in diversity (and their A.I. behavior not very well done),<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.mygamer.com/index.php?page=gameportal&mode=reviews&id=552512
 |title=BioShock
 |publisher=mygamer.com
 |date=August 21, 2007
 |quote="Unfortunately, once the splicers become aware of the player, they almost invariably rush forward, heedless of their own mortality, right into the path of the player's plasmid powers and guns"
 |access-date=December 6, 2008
 |url-status=live
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208185137/http://www.mygamer.com/index.php?page=gameportal&mode=reviews&id=552512
 |archive-date=December 8, 2008
}}</ref> and the moral choice too much "black and white" to be interesting.<ref>{{cite web
 |author=Moke Dootitle
 |url=http://www.gamecritics.com/bioshock-review
 |title=BioShock&nbsp;– Review
 |publisher=gamecritics.com
 |date=July 12, 2007
 |quote="Sure, there are splicers that run around maniacally, crawl on the ceiling or teleport, but there is little to differentiate them aside from their theatrics(...)The game also presents a "moral" choice that feels promising early in the game, but ultimately falls into the cliché traps of black and white extremes"
 |access-date=December 6, 2008
 |url-status=live
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124223718/http://gamecritics.com/bioshock-review
 |archive-date=January 24, 2009
}}</ref> Some reviewers and essayists such as [[Jonathan Blow]] also opined that the "moral choice" the game offered to the player (saving or harvesting the little sisters) was flawed because, to them, it had no real impact on the game, which ultimately led them to think that the sisters were just mechanics of no real importance.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16392
 |title=MIGS 2007: Jonathan Blow On The 'WoW Drug', Meaningful Games
 |publisher=gamasutra.com
 |date=November 28, 2007
 |quote=Blow turned to ''BioShock'' as his example of flawed architecture (...) "The very idea of this save or kill dilemma is an architected idea imposed from the top", he explained (...) "The game rules determine the actual meaning of life in the game, and it says whatever you do to the Little Sisters doesn't matter, no matter how much the game tries to convince you that it does". The "Meta-message", according to Blow, is that "the designers of this game are trying to manipulate your emotions in a clumsy way".
 |access-date=December 21, 2008
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221122915/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=16392
 |archive-date=December 21, 2008
}}</ref> Daniel Friedman for ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' concurred with Blow, noting that the player only loses 10% of the possible ADAM rewards for saving the Little Sisters rather than killing them, and felt that this would have been better instituted as part of the game difficulty mechanic.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/19/12972940/bioshock-little-sisters-adam |title=BioShock bungled its best chance to make play meaningful |first=Daniel |last=Friedman |date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921023843/http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/19/12972940/bioshock-little-sisters-adam |archive-date=September 21, 2016 }}</ref> Former [[LucasArts]] developer [[Clint Hocking]] wrote a noted essay that claimed that ''BioShock'' exhibited "[[Ludonarrative#ludonarrative dissonance|ludonarrative dissonance]]" between its story and mechanics, as while he saw the story as advocating selflessness in helping others, its gameplay encourages what he views as selfishness by preying on Little Sisters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/ludonarrative-dissonance-the-roadblock-to-realism-235197.phtml |title=Ludonarrative dissonance: The roadblock to realism |first=Brett |last=Makedonski |date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=September 21, 2016 |work=[[Destructoid]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923014932/https://www.destructoid.com/ludonarrative-dissonance-the-roadblock-to-realism-235197.phtml |archive-date=September 23, 2016 }}</ref>

===Awards===
At [[E3 2006]], ''BioShock'' was given several  "Games of the Show" awards from various online gaming sites, including [[GameSpot]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6151435/p-28.html |title=E3 2006 Editors' Choice Awards |access-date=November 4, 2007 |date=May 20, 2006 |publisher=Gamespot |author=Gamespot Staff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030084554/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6151435/p-28.html |archive-date=October 30, 2007 }}</ref> [[IGN]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p7.html |title=IGN's Overall Best of E3 2006 Awards |date=May 19, 2006 |access-date=November 4, 2007 |publisher=IGN |author=IGN Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118205814/http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p7.html |archive-date=November 18, 2007 }}</ref> [[GameSpy]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p16.html |title=E3 2006 Best of Show |access-date=November 4, 2007 |date=May 18, 2006 |publisher=GameSpy |author=GameSpy Staff |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023064612/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p16.html |archive-date=October 23, 2007 }}</ref> and [[GameTrailers]]'s Trailer of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16075.html |title=GameTrailers Game of the Year 2006: Best Trailer |publisher=[[GameTrailers]] |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107021812/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/16075.html |archive-date=January 7, 2008 }}</ref> ''BioShock'' received an award for Best Xbox 360 Game at the 2007 Leipzig Games Convention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/08/27/leipzig-games-convention-best-of-awards-announced |title=Leipzig Games Convention "Best of" Awards Announced |date=August 27, 2007 |access-date=November 4, 2007 |publisher=Digital Media Wire |first=Mark |last=Hefflinger |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190437/http://dmwmedia.com/news/2007/08/27/leipzig-games-convention-best-of-awards-announced |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref>  After the game's release, the 2007 ''[[Spike Video Game Awards|Spike TV Video Game Awards]]'' selected ''BioShock'' as ''Game of the Year'', ''Best Xbox 360 Game'', and ''Best Original Score'', and nominated it for four awards: ''Best Shooter'', ''Best Graphics'', ''Best PC Game'', and ''Best Soundtrack''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/107504/Bioshock_Wins_Spike_TV_Game_of_the_Year.php | title = Bioshock Wins Spike TV Game of the Year | first = David | last = Jenkins | date = December 10, 2007 | access-date = November 16, 2019 | work = [[Gamasutra]] | archive-date = November 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201121120305/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/107504/Bioshock_Wins_Spike_TV_Game_of_the_Year.php | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/bioshock-drowns-competition-at-2007-vgas/ |title=BioShock drowns competition at 2007 VGAs |publisher=Joystiq |date=December 8, 2007 |access-date=December 8, 2007 |first=James |last=Dobson |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212235556/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/08/bioshock-drowns-competition-at-2007-vgas/ |archive-date=December 12, 2007  }}</ref> The game also won the 2007 [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] "Best Game" award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/bafta-bioshock-game-of-the-year-wii-sports-wins-most-awards/ |title=BAFTA: ''BioShock'' game of the year, Wii Sports wins most awards |date=October 24, 2007 |access-date=October 24, 2007 |publisher=Joystiq |first=Alexander |last=Sliwinski |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025051816/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/24/bafta-bioshock-game-of-the-year-wii-sports-wins-most-awards/ |archive-date=October 25, 2007  }}</ref> [[X-Play]] also selected it as "Game of the Year", "Best Original Soundtrack", "Best Writing/Story", and "Best Art Direction".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/arts/television/18game.html |title=BioShock Triumphs at TV Video Game Awards |work=The New York Times|first=Seth |last=Schielsel |date=December 18, 2007 |access-date=July 16, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210202554/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/arts/television/18game.html |archive-date=December 10, 2008 }}</ref> ''[[Game Informer]]'' named ''BioShock'' its Game of the Year for 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx|title=Check Out 25 Years Of Game Informer's GOTY Awards|first=Jeff|last=Marchiafava|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=November 16, 2019|archive-date=November 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121120247/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

At [[IGN]]'s "Best of 2007" ''BioShock'' was nominated for Game of The Year 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/25.html |title=IGN Best of 2007: Overall Game of the Year |publisher=IGN |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113203707/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/25.html |archive-date=January 13, 2008 }}</ref> and won the award for PC Game of the Year,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/pc/22.html |title=IGN Best of 2007: PC Game of the Year |publisher=IGN |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129133905/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/pc/22.html |archive-date=January 29, 2008 }}</ref> Best Artistic Design,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/13.html |title=IGN Best of 2007: Best Artistic Design |publisher=IGN |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405014111/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/13.html |archive-date=April 5, 2008 }}</ref> and Best Use of Sound.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/16.html |title=IGN Best of 2007: Best Use of Sound |publisher=IGN |date=January 11, 2008 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405151930/http://bestof.ign.com/2007/overall/16.html |archive-date=April 5, 2008 }}</ref> [[GameSpy]] chose it as the third-best game of the year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/overall/11.html |title=GameSpy's Overall Top Ten of 2007: #3 BioShock |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124152845/http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/overall/11.html |archive-date=January 24, 2008 }}</ref> and gave ''BioShock'' the awards for Best Sound, Story, and Art Direction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/special/29.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2007: Special Awards |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200206/http://goty.gamespy.com/2007/special/29.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013  }}</ref> [[GameSpot]] awarded the game for Best Story,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/best-of/specialachievement/index.html?page=5 |title=GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2007–Special Achievements: Best Story |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=January 27, 2008 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> while [[GamePro]] gave ''BioShock'' the Best Story, Xbox 360 and Best Single-Player Shooter awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/154431.shtml|title=GamePro's Editor's Choice 2007|date=December 27, 2007|access-date=January 27, 2008|publisher=[[GamePro]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231114627/http://www.gamepro.com/gamepro/domestic/games/features/154431.shtml|archive-date=December 31, 2007}}</ref> ''BioShock'' won the "Best Visual Art", "Best Writing", and "Best Audio" awards at the 2008 [[Game Developers Choice Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6186460.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;3 |title=Portal BioShocks GDC Awards |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104224043/http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6186460.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews%3Btitle%3B3 |archive-date=January 4, 2012  }}</ref> During the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences|AIAS]]' [[11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''BioShock'' received the most nominations of the ceremony with twelve, including notable categories such as "Outstanding Innovation in Gaming", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Action Game of the Year]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]]"; it was ultimately awarded with outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Art Direction]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition|Original Music Composition]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Audio Design|Sound Design]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Story Development]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=914 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details BioShock |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601135107/https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2008&idGame=914 |url-status=live }}</ref> Guinness World Records awarded the game a record for "Most Popular Xbox Live Demo" in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. ''BioShock'' is ranked first on ''Game Informer''{{'s}} list of The Top 10 Video Game Openings.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Top Ten Video Game Openings |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-187-november-2008/page/38/mode/2up |access-date=2024-10-25 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |page=38 |issue=187|date=November 2008}}</ref> [[GamesRadar]] placed ''Bioshock'' as the 12th best game of all time.<ref>{{cite web|author=GamesRadar US & UK |date=March 31, 2011 |url=https://gamesradar.com/f/the-100-best-games-of-all-time/a-20110330182119708031/p-10 |title=The 100 best games of all time |page=10 |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |access-date=April 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811101010/http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-100-best-games-of-all-time/a-20110330182119708031/p-10 |archive-date=August 11, 2011 }}</ref> In 2011 ''BioShock'' was awarded the number 1 spot in GameTrailers' "Top 100 Video Game Trailers of All Time", for submerging the viewer into the ''BioShock'' universe and its enduring impact.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/users/GT100Trailers/gamepad/?action=viewblog&id=563203 |title=GameTrailers |access-date=July 19, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209101458/http://www.gametrailers.com/users/GT100Trailers/gamepad/?action=viewblog&id=563203 |archive-date=December 9, 2011 }}</ref> In August 2012, IGN gave it the top spot on their list of the Top 25 Modern PC Games, a ranking of the best PC games released since 2006.<ref name="The Top 25 Modern PC Games">{{cite news|title=The Top 25 Modern PC Games |url=https://ign.com/articles/2012/08/07/the-top-25-modern-pc-games-2?page=1 |work=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. |date=August 6, 2012 |access-date=January 2, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140916175948/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/07/the-top-25-modern-pc-games-2?page=1 |archive-date=September 16, 2014 }}</ref> In November 2012, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named it one of the 100 greatest video games of all time.<ref name="AccoTimeAllTime">{{cite magazine|title=All-Time 100 Video Games |url=https://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/slide/all/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=November 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116214206/http://techland.time.com/2012/11/15/all-time-100-video-games/slide/all/ |archive-date=November 16, 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In July 2015, the game placed 9th on ''[[USgamer]]''{{'s}} The 15 Best Games Since 2000 list.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Parish|first1=Jeremy|title=The 15 Best Games Since 2000, Number 9: BioShock|url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-9-bioshock|website=[[USgamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=July 30, 2015|date=July 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730121127/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-15-best-games-since-2000-number-9-bioshock|archive-date=July 30, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Sales===
The Xbox 360 version was the third best-selling game of August 2007, with 490,900 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6178770.html |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |title=US August game-industry haul nearly $1B |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=September 14, 2007 |access-date=January 27, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318205927/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6178770.html |archive-date=March 18, 2009 }}</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that shares in [[Take-Two Interactive]] "soared nearly 20%" in the week following overwhelmingly favorable early reviews of the game.<ref name="wsjpricehike">{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB119024844874433247-EnpxM1F6fI9YZDofC7VnyPzVrGQ_20070920.html?mod=todays_free_feature |title=High Scores Matter To Game Makers, Too |first=Nick |last=Wingfield |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=September 20, 2007 |access-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626144044/http://www.wsj.com/public/article/SB119024844874433247-EnpxM1F6fI9YZDofC7VnyPzVrGQ_20070920.html?mod=todays_free_feature |archive-date=June 26, 2015  }}</ref> Take-Two Interactive announced that by June 5, 2008, over 2.2 million copies of ''BioShock'' had been shipped.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://ir.take2games.com/External.File?t=2&item=g7rqBLVLuv81UAmrh20Mp1oXuhSOzyvNLw7b9gsFWOFEcjdXvnkuQsRd4z1F+6UjdeP00J7LAY65LCFFFXhNWg== |title=Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. Reports Strong Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Financial Results |publisher=[[Take-Two Interactive]] |date=June 5, 2008 |access-date=June 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110100137/http://ir.take2games.com/External.File?t=2&item=g7rqBLVLuv81UAmrh20Mp1oXuhSOzyvNLw7b9gsFWOFEcjdXvnkuQsRd4z1F+6UjdeP00J7LAY65LCFFFXhNWg== |archive-date=January 10, 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In a June 10, 2008 interview, Roy Taylor, [[Nvidia]]'s VP of Content Business Development, stated that the PC version has sold over one million copies.<ref>{{cite web |author=Rob Fahey |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=148824&page=2 |title=NVIDIA's Roy Taylor |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |date=June 10, 2008 |access-date=September 8, 2008 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121120250/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/nvidias-roy-taylor-interview?page=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Take-Two Interactive's chairman Strauss Zelnick, the game had sold around 3 million copies by June 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Tom Ivan |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/take-two-targets-five-million-bioshock-2-sales |title=Take-Two Interactive Targets Five Million BioShock 2 Sales |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |date=June 18, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003165615/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/take-two-targets-five-million-bioshock-2-sales |archive-date=October 3, 2010  }}</ref> By March 2010, ''BioShock'' had sold 4 million copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2010/3/4/original_bioshock_sells_4_million/ |title=Original Bioshock sells 4 million units, GTA IV tops 15 million |publisher=El33tonline |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=July 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710175914/http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2010/3/4/original_bioshock_sells_4_million/ |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

===PC technical issues and DRM===
The initial Windows release was criticized by players for several perceived shortcomings. The game was shipped with [[SecuROM]] [[copy protection]] that required activation from 2K Games' servers over the Internet; the unavailability of these servers was reported as the reason for the cancellation of the game's midnight release in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6177330.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0 |title=''Bioshock'' PC Launch Shortcircuts |date=August 23, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2007 |first=Randolph |last=Ramsey |publisher=Gamespot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014637/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6177330.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews%3Btitle%3B0 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> Players found that the SecuROM limited the number of times the game could be activated to two; user feedback led to 2K Games to increase the activation count to five,<ref name="maxconsole_user_act">{{cite web|url=http://www.maxconsole.net/archive/index.php/t-77804.html |title=2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family |date=September 4, 2007 |publisher=maxconsole.net |access-date=November 12, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="neoseeker_user_act">{{cite web|url=https://neoseeker.com/news/story/7091/ |title=One copy of BioShock per family (member)? |publisher=Neoseeker |date=September 5, 2007 |access-date=November 12, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907180345/http://www.neoseeker.com/news/story/7091/ |archive-date=September 7, 2007 }}</ref> and later offer a tool that allowed users to revoke previous activations on their own.<ref name="revoketool">{{cite web|url=http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/revoketool/ |title=2K Revocation tool download page |date=November 3, 2007 |access-date=November 3, 2007 |publisher=Cult of Rapture |first=Elizabeth |last=Tobey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724120803/http://www.2kgames.com/bioshock/support/revoketool |archive-date=July 24, 2008 }}</ref> Ultimately 2K Games removed the activation limit, though retail versions of the game still required the activation process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53236 |title=2K Games Lifts BioShock PC Install Limit, DRM |publisher=[[Shacknews]] |first=Aaron |last=Linde |date=June 19, 2008 |access-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626224630/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53236 |archive-date=June 26, 2008 }}</ref> Levine admitted that their initial approach to the activation process was malformed, harming their reputation during the launch period.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/joystiq-interviews-bioshocks-ken-levine-about-success-and-harve/ |title=Joystiq interviews BioShock's Ken Levine about success and harvesting Little Sisters |first=Alexander |last=Sliwinski |date=August 24, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2014 |publisher=[[Joystiq]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007170507/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/24/joystiq-interviews-bioshocks-ken-levine-about-success-and-harve/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014  }}</ref>

The SecuROM software also caused some [[virus scanner]]s and [[malware]] detector to believe the software was malicious. 2K Games assured players that the software installation process did not install any malicious code or [[rootkit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/article/securombioshock |title=The Cult of Rapture FAQ |date=August 23, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2007 |publisher=Cult of Rapture |first=Elizabeth |last=Tobey |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228211113/http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/article/securombioshock |archive-date=February 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamingbob.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=300 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081224110509/http://www.gamingbob.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=300 | archive-date = December 24, 2008| title = ''BioShock'' Demo Installs SecuROM Service | date = August 23, 2007 | access-date = August 25, 2007 | url-status = usurped | publisher = GamingBOB.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070826-clearing-the-air-bioshock-does-not-contain-a-rootkit.html |title=Clearing the air: ''Bioshock'' does not contain a rootkit |publisher=Ars Technica |first=Ken |last=Fisher |date=August 26, 2007 |access-date=August 26, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831024753/http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070826-clearing-the-air-bioshock-does-not-contain-a-rootkit.html |archive-date=August 31, 2007 }}</ref> However, players observed that some of the SecuROM software was not entirely removed on uninstallation of the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.extremetech.com/computing/77560-bioshock-controversies-continue |title=BioShock Controversies Continue |first=Joel |last=Durham |newspaper=[[ExtremeTech]] |date=August 27, 2007 |access-date=September 24, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120054215/http://www.extremetech.com/computing/77560-bioshock-controversies-continue |archive-date=January 20, 2012 }}</ref>

Some of the graphic capabilities of ''BioShock'' were criticized by players. The initial release of the game was found to have [[Cropping (image)|cut off]] the top and bottom of the [[field of view]] in order to fit [[widescreen]] monitors, resulting in less vertical view instead of more horizontal view compared to [[Fullscreen (filmmaking)|4:3]] monitors,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=48555 |title=''BioShock'' Widescreen Slices Vertical View |date=August 21, 2007 |access-date=August 21, 2007 |publisher=Shacknews |first=Nick |last=Breckon |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926235615/http://www.shacknews.com/laryn.x?story=48555 |archive-date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref> conflicting with original reports from a developer on how widescreen would have been handled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=659 |title=How will the widescreen image be displayed? |publisher=2K Games Forum |access-date=August 21, 2007 |date=May 27, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823134331/http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=659 |archive-date=August 23, 2007 }}</ref> 2K Games later stated that the choice of the field of view was a design decision made during development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/article/truthwidescreen |title=The Truth About Widescreen |first=Elizabeth |last=Tobey |publisher=2K Games |date=August 22, 2007 |access-date=August 22, 2007 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228211117/http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/article/truthwidescreen |archive-date=February 28, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/wider-is-better/bioshock-widescreen-+-the-sad-conclusion-292269.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183533/http://kotaku.com/gaming/wider-is-better/bioshock-widescreen-%2B-the-sad-conclusion-292269.php |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |title=Wider Is Better: ''BioShock'' Widescreen |date=August 22, 2007 |access-date=August 22, 2007 |publisher=Kotaku |first=Mike |last=Fahey |url-status=dead }}</ref> Irrational included an option for "Horizontal FOV Lock" in the December 2007 patch that allows widescreen users a wider field of view, without cutting anything off the image vertically.<ref name="shacknews 2k patch news">{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48621 |title=Simultaneous Installgate 07: 2K Ups ''BioShock'' Install Limit, Plans FOV Adjustment Patch |first=Chris |last=Remo |publisher=Shacknews |date=August 23, 2007 |access-date=August 23, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006200258/http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48621 |archive-date=October 6, 2007 }}</ref> ''BioShock'' was also criticized for not supporting [[pixel shader]] 2.0b video cards (such as the [[Radeon]] [[Radeon R420|X800]]/[[Radeon R420|X850]]), which were considered high-end graphics cards in 2004–2005, and accounted for about 24% of surveyed hardware collected through [[Valve Corporation|Valve]]'s Steam platform at the time of ''BioShock''{{'s}} release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.ars/2007/08/23/no-bioshock-rapture-in-sight-for-ati-x800x850-users |title=No ''Bioshock'' Rapture in sight for ATI X800/X850 users |date=August 23, 2007 |access-date=September 26, 2007 |publisher=Ars Technica |last=Hruska |first=Joel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011154949/http://arstechnica.com/journals/hardware.ars/2007/08/23/no-bioshock-rapture-in-sight-for-ati-x800x850-users |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}