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Irrational discusses Columbia, BioShock Infinite’s city

Since BioShock hit the scene, the game's instantly recognizable underwater city of Rapture became a major part of any conception about video game settings. While Bioshock 2 stayed in Rapture, Bioshock Infinite will take place in a completely new location. Speaking to NowGamer, director of development for Irrational (formerly 2K Boston) Tim Gerritsen explained the approach for Rapture's successor, the skybound city of Columbia. The most interesting point he made was about the city's floating, unstable towers.

"Everything we’ve built within the levels is about creating new opportunities for the players from the floating buildings," Gerritsen said. "You saw the buildings within the world – and these buildings move. Suddenly, and fundamentally, it creates a brand new gaming experience because if I see a building off in the distance, will it always be there or will it move? That creates all-new opportunities for us as makers and you as players."

One of Rapture's signature features was the creepy dimness of rooms and corridors illuminated only by flickering neon signs. This environmental tone fit the location - there's not much light on the sea floor. Columbia, on the other hand, floats among the clouds and is awash in sunshine. The rest of NowGamer's short interview with Gerritsen offered other interesting glimpses into the world of Columbia, and how even a brightly-lit, open-sky can find opportunities for suspense and fear.

If this seems like a tease, well...it is. BioShock Infinite isn't expected to arrive until 2012.