Bioshock-ish Photo Dump

Hnilmik · January 5, 2011 08:17 AM

A looooonngg time ago, in 2010, I was working on a Bioshock project, especially since I was very Bioshock obsessed. Funny thing about a project like that is (1) I fail at drawing buildings and (2) I fail at understanding the art deco style that made Bioshock cool. That said, I was a crazy nut and did some... Research, namely since I actually live out in the middle of nowhere and a long ways away from actual tall buildings.

I'm not an uber artist to be able to sketch what I see, especially at that time, so I took a bunch of pictures to reference later.

I'll be uploading pictures from New York New York (Las Vegas, Nevada), San Francisco (California), and Beverly Hills (Los Angeles, California--I know Beverly Hills is technically its own city, gosh).

While my pictures for New York New York are uploading, here. Have some Bioshock cosplayers from AX 2010.

Hnilmik · January 5, 2011 08:33 AM

The New York New York hotel/casino had the indoor city feel that Rapture pretty much is. Plus, art deco everywhere. I think they deliberately tried to portray New York in the 1940's, whereas Rapture pre-fall is circa 40-50's, so... Perfect place to research! inb4 Fort Frolic and Farmer's Market.

jjjjjjjjjj · January 5, 2011 09:06 AM

this place looks awesome

Hnilmik · January 5, 2011 09:10 AM

@ J
I actually didn't get to stay at New York New York. If I did, I'd go even crazier with the pictures. I'm actually curious if the rooms were art deco-y too.

San Francisco. Had to look at REAL buildings, see, and I needed to figure out how perspectives worked. Taking a bunch of pictures does not equate to understanding perspectives, but it might help my understanding of what my friends mean by sight lines and whatnot. I haven't been there in years and only got to spend a few hours there while my sister was checking out a college.

Hnilmik · January 5, 2011 09:27 AM

Finally, Los Angeles, but mostly Beverly Hills, which is in Los Angeles county anyhow. More REAL buildings and such to understand perspective. I essentially did a "drive-by shooting" by taking pictures from the front seat (clearly, I wasn't the one driving). I think I see some art deco too, but of the modern variety, which won't work for Rapture, but is decent to know about anyways.

I can't put my finger on it, but it looks like "not all metropolises/cities look the same". Sure, the temperature was different in San Fran compared to Beverly Hills, but I mean the look and feel of it too, y'know? It was pretty neat. I took all these pictures from these three locations within a month or two (July/August) in the summer.

giascle · January 5, 2011 09:49 AM

Quote from: HnilmikI can't put my finger on it, but it looks like "not all metropolises/cities look the same". Sure, the temperature was different in San Fran compared to Beverly Hills, but I mean the look and feel of it too, y'know? It was pretty neat. I took all these pictures from these three locations within a month or two (July/August) in the summer.

Wait till you get a chance to compare major cities from different countries, especially Eastern ones like Beijing or Tokyo.

Sapphire · January 5, 2011 01:28 PM

I squealed at the first two posts worth of photos. That's pretty cool.

rtil · January 5, 2011 04:29 PM

i hate vegas but you found some good stuff

a lot of the best art deco is on the east coast, but some cities on the west coast, especially in california, have some good examples as well

GhostingFish · January 5, 2011 09:11 PM

I want to go to some cool places like that....

cipher · January 8, 2011 08:21 PM

I just noticed this thread and I now love it.

A tip of the hat to you miss

CVG · January 9, 2011 09:33 AM

Cool pics!! I actually know the places you posted in San Francisco haha. I don't know if this helps your research but I have a few pics you might like of SF that are more...err..inside the city and look like the decaying Bioshock citys :] Hope these help! (btw this is my friends "backyard" of her apartment heh)

Hnilmik · January 9, 2011 12:32 PM

OMIGAWD YES. I WANTED APARTMENTS AND FIRE ESCAPE-ISH STUFFS SO MUCH!!

::HUGUSHIBUSHU'S SOOOOO HARD!!:: <3 <3

Well, for my series, Rapture isn't in the super-decayed state just yet. However, since it takes place in the year before and leading up to the 1958 New Years Eve Riots, there are at least signs of decay occurring and progressively getting worse, especially in the lower class-ish places where Samantha initially starts her adventure.