Depending on who you ask, the Occupy Wall Street movement is either a catalyst for change, or a major headache. We're not completely sure where BioShock creator Ken Levine falls, but in a recent interview with Reuters he did admit the 99% rallies have become a source of creative inspiration in the ongoing development of BioShock Infinite.
"It's been fascinating to watch the conflict in the game, which is based on historical conflicts, sort of become reincarnated in our times," said Levine. Recalling his first hand experience with Occupy Wall Street, he added: "It's one thing to read about these movements by reading history books but another thing to see one of these things happening in real time and go there and breathe it in."
Levine hinted some of his experience at the protests will be reflected in the final build of BioShock Infinite, but declined to give any specifics.
BioShock Infinite drops players into the center of a civil war being fought by the left-wing Vox Populi and the right-wing Founders, both of which Levine explained were inspired by real life political factions such as the Baader-Meinhof gang, militants who made some noise in Germany in the 1970s and 1980s, and the Know Nothings, a band of anti-US immigration who kicked up a fuss in the 1800s. Levine added that while comparisons can (and will) be made between his game and Occupy Wall Street, he insisted it's not his desire to see the movement reach BioShock Infinite proportions, noting, “That is a place you hope these protests never go to.”
BioShock Infinite will set up yurts and sing folk songs for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in 2012.
