RoboCop was on the telly there a few nights back. As well as remembering what an amazing movie it is, I was shocked at the similarities between it and PC Zone favourite, BioShock. Now you too will be shocked, when I present these similarities to you in a series of bullet points. There will be spoilers, mind.
SIMILARITY #1 - GENERAL THEMATIC PARALLELS BioShock deals with the social ramifications of building an underwater, elitist meritocracy, an anti-welfare state which becomes poisoned by the ubiquitous concepts of consumerism and capitalism. This leads to widespread rioting and the eventual destruction of the city of Rapture. RoboCop is about a robot policeman in a futuristic dystopia, in which rampant capitalism has led to the privatisation of state law enforcement, and robots everywhere. This leads to widespread rioting and the eventual destruction of at least one television shop in Detroit.
BioShock, no wait... RoboCop?!
See? BioShock and RoboCop are rife with overlapping themes, and both star a main character born of the ills of their respective societies. RIGHT, NOW LET'S GET SPECIFIC.
SIMILARITY #2 - PROGRAMMING In BioShock, it becomes evident that you are Fontaine's tool, programmed to do his bidding. The twist is that you're controlled using a trigger word, and have effectively had your humanity and individuality stolen from you through this programming. RoboCop is a tool of OCP, and he literally had his humanity and individuality stolen from him through being made into a robot policeman. RoboCop is controlled through three directives: Serve the public trust. Protect the innocent. Uphold the law. The twist is that there's a hidden fourth directive preventing him from harming OCP board members.
See? BioShock man and RoboCop are both programmed, and both strive to regain their humanity by killing the man who programmed them.
SIMILARITY #3 - FLASHBACKS In BioShock, a trip to an abandoned strip club throws up flashbacks of your true family (your mother was a dancer there), rather than the false family implanted in your memory. RoboCop goes to his old house after he finds out who he used to be, where he too has flashbacks of his true family. It's really sad.
See? BioShock man and RoboCop both experience family-related flashbacks triggered by their environments. They're both coming to terms with their true identity.
SIMILARITY #4 - BIG DADDIES In BioShock, you spend a lot of time fighting against guardians known as Big Daddies. Huge, slow, metallic things, they too are the product of Rapture's messed-up society. You must use the environment against them to succeed. RoboCop fights ED-209, a huge, slow, metallic, bi-pedal tankbot who falls down some stairs. ED-209 was the product of capitalism gone MAD.
See? BioShock man and RoboCop both use the environment against their adversaries, who are both bigger than them. Big Daddies can do stairs though.
SIMILARITY #5 - A HELPING HAND In BioShock, the closest thing to an ally you've got is the motherly Tenenbaum, who knows of your plight, and seeks to save you from the nefarious schemes of Rapture's leaders. RoboCop's lady friend and former partner is Officer Anne Lewis (brilliantly played by Nancy Allen), who brings RoboCop some baby food to eat, and helps him learn to shoot straight again. While RoboCop chooses not to eat the baby food, it is implied that he appreciates the gesture.
See? BioShock man and RoboCop are both aided by a female character more aware of their situation than they.
SIMILARITY #6 - DISGUSTING MUTATIONS In BioShock, genetic modification is massively simplified, reduced to a simple injection providing you with superhuman abilities. RoboCop makes a man drive into a vat of toxic waste, transforming him into a mutant. He keeps moaning, "kill me", and disgusts his cohorts with his ghastly appearance.
See? BioShock and RoboCop both radically simplify the extremely complicated topic of genetics to the point of near absurdity and absurdity respectively.
SIMILARITY #7 - VYING FOR POWER In BioShock, Fontaine and Ryan were constantly vying for power. After Fontaine commercialised Adam, Ryan's position as leader became threatened, and he tried to have Fontaine murdered. In RoboCop, OCP Senior President Dick Jones was threatened by Bob Morton, the man behind the RoboCop project. After Morton went over Jones's head to greenlight the project, Jones felt threatened and successfully had Morton murdered.
See? BioShock and RoboCop both feature two men struggling for power, with one of them eventually being killed by the main character.
SIMILARITY #8 - PERIOD ADVERTISING In BioShock, light-hearted period advertising provides a stark contrast between the desolation of Rapture and the society it used to be. RoboCop often comes across a made-up television show whose host gleefully remarks, "I'd buy that for a dollar!" Again, this provides contrast between the poverty in Detroit, and the blinding irrelevence and all-encompassing transfixation of the populace by the media.
See? BioShock and RoboCop both use advertising to make a point about their respective social climates. BioShock was even a bit racist with theirs.
SIMILARITY #9 - SYLLABLES BioShock, as a word, is made up of three syllables. It is an amalgamation of the prefix 'bio' and the word 'shock', with the second word's first letter being capitalised. RoboCop is a robot policeman, but as a word, he's made up of three syllables. He is an amalgamation of the prefix 'robo' and the word 'cop', with the second word's first letter being capitalised.
See? This is the most damning similarity of all.
So there we are: the two things are essentially identical. Ken Levine, I am accusing you of plagiarising the best sci-fi movie ever created, what say you? WHAT SAY YOU??
Please indict the man further by posting any similarities I have overlooked in the comments thread below.
Holy s**t! This is the most funny/moronic thing i read in ages. Now, seriously do you even think someone will back up this incredibly retarded "theory" of yours as you ask at the end of the article?
Damn, it seems magazines really need writers, it seems they hire anyone who can spell Robocop, seriously you need to cut the pot.
Hahaha, canīt stop laughing, Bioshock=Robocop!, how about Ninety Nine Nigths= 28 weeks later, i know 28 weeks have more than 99 days but come on!! NOBODY CANīT IGNORE THE COINCIDENCE, itīs a conspiracy!.
Holy s**t! This is the most funny/moronic thing i read in ages. Now, seriously do you even think someone will back up this incredibly retarded "theory" of yours as you ask at the end of the article?
Damn, it seems magazines really need writers, it seems they hire anyone who can spell Robocop, seriously you need to cut the pot.
Hahaha, canīt stop laughing, Bioshock=Robocop!, how about Ninety Nine Nigths= 28 weeks later, i know 28 weeks have more than 99 days but come on!! NOBODY CANīT IGNORE THE COINCIDENCE, itīs a conspiracy!.
Quick, somebody bring the irony-bat. Another round of education is needed.
Care to elaborate?, irony-bat?, iīve heard of the ban-hammer but not this "artifact", next time try to explain your reasoning rather than throw words at people without explaining why doing so and stop making words out or using emoticons, irony-bat??. Damn, they should put age restrictions for posting comments, it would seem any 12 year old can come in here and spit random s**t to anyone.
Holy s**t! This is the most funny/moronic thing i read in ages. Now, seriously do you even think someone will back up this incredibly retarded "theory" of yours as you ask at the end of the article?
Damn, it seems magazines really need writers, it seems they hire anyone who can spell Robocop, seriously you need to cut the pot.
Hahaha, canīt stop laughing, Bioshock=Robocop!, how about Ninety Nine Nigths= 28 weeks later, i know 28 weeks have more than 99 days but come on!! NOBODY CANīT IGNORE THE COINCIDENCE, itīs a conspiracy!.
FACT: STEVE HOGARTY IS A SERIOUS MAN AND HE MEANT EVERYTHING HE SAID. I TAKE UMBRIDGE AT THIS POST AND REQUEST A DUEL...
... it would seem any 12 year old can come in here and spit random s**t to anyone.
well stop doing it then!
seriously though, if you're familiar with the pczone mag, it's obvious that mr hogarty is joking/ and or feeling a bit mad for a laugh or something, and entertaining everyone
i dont think he really literally thinks this is true in reality
Holy s**t! This is the most funny/moronic thing i read in ages. Now, seriously do you even think someone will back up this incredibly retarded "theory" of yours as you ask at the end of the article?
Damn, it seems magazines really need writers, it seems they hire anyone who can spell Robocop, seriously you need to cut the pot.
Hahaha, canīt stop laughing, Bioshock=Robocop!, how about Ninety Nine Nigths= 28 weeks later, i know 28 weeks have more than 99 days but come on!! NOBODY CANīT IGNORE THE COINCIDENCE, itīs a conspiracy!.
FACT: STEVE HOGARTY IS A SERIOUS MAN AND HE MEANT EVERYTHING HE SAID. I TAKE UMBRIDGE AT THIS POST AND REQUEST A DUEL...
...
...
ON THE INTERNET!
I'll take your umbridge and raise you an Ambridge...
Many years ago, there was a game called System Shock set in the future with an evil AI overmind. System Shock is closely related to Bioshock.
Many years ago, there was a game called Robocop vs Terminator set in the future with an evil AI overmind. Robocop vs Terminator is closely related to Robocop.
How is it that Steve Hogarty keeps getting writing jobs? He writes like a chavvy fan-boy who is makes uninformed judgements without looking at the facts.
Hey Steve, why don't you tell us that Deus Ex is like Blade runner because it is set in the future and has robots? Or how Halo is like the the film Alien Vs Predator because there are 3 species fighting in a mysterious location?
I hope for his sake that he is joking with this comparision. If he is, he should start reading up on how to actually write comedy.
OTWarrior, i would like to inform you that Deus Ex is not in fact like Blade Runner, it is actually very much like the seminal classic "Bringing Down the House." You see in Bringing Down The House it is very similar. You see J.C. Denton and Peter Sanderson are similar as they both use technology to get ahead, J.C. using his spy-tools and implants, Peter Sanderson using his internet to talk to Charlene. The conspiracy also exists in that the UNATCO are a conspiracy organisation and Queen Latifah is in fact not really a lawyer but a convict.
Next you'll be telling us that 'At the Mountains of Madness' by H.P.Lovecraft was tweaked and made into the movie 'Aliens vs Predator'. One servitor race, rising up against it's captors, with man in the middle yada yada. Pull the other one
Also, "Ken Levine, I am accusing you of plagiarising the best sci-fi movie ever created"... WTF?!?! The Empire Strikes Back is WAAAAAAY better than Robocop. I love RC as much as the next guy, but saying that's a better movie than Empire is like saying McDonalds is better than KFC, or Hershey is better chocolate than Cadburys, or Jessica Simpson is a genius...
Also, "Ken Levine, I am accusing you of plagiarising the best sci-fi movie ever created"... WTF?!?! The Empire Strikes Back is WAAAAAAY better than Robocop. I love RC as much as the next guy, but saying that's a better movie than Empire is like saying McDonalds is better than KFC, or Hershey is better chocolate than Cadburys, or Jessica Simpson is a genius...
Empire Strikes Back (and indeed, star wars) is just a fantasy film in space. It offers no insight into the future (like Robocop), no commentry on the present (like Robocop - Which I believe is still relevent enough today!) and doesn't involve people dying horrible, gruesome deaths which make you cringe (which, ok, has nothing to do with it being sci-fi or not.. But it's still a minus point for Empire in my opinion!). Thus, while Star Wars are great films, I'd take stuff like Robocop and Total Recall over them anyday.
And hey1 Robocop 2 was BRILLIANT! Robocop 3 was so terrible I still haven't watched it all the way through, I'll give you that, but 2 was a worthy follow up1
Ed Zed: Your writing in the magazine is great, it's Hogarty's that bring the magazine down, and this article shows why.
A good writer should not have to use analogies to describe something, and a whole article as one is a wasted article.
Here is an analogy for you at PCZone. Steve Hogarty and Tim Edwards (from PCGamer) both make unfair reviews, are only able to write in the form of examples and analogies and also both appeared in their respective magazines shortly after the tone of both descended into fan-boyism and insulting the readers. WHOAH, this means they must be both the same person!!!
Just a quick question though Ed, why are you responding to his article on the forum and not him? I would guess he had to go back to school to learn what exactly the definition of the word "humour" is?
To berelain: I have heard of irony and sarcasm, but have yet to find any in this article.
Also, "Ken Levine, I am accusing you of plagiarising the best sci-fi movie ever created"... WTF?!?! The Empire Strikes Back is WAAAAAAY better than Robocop. I love RC as much as the next guy, but saying that's a better movie than Empire is like saying McDonalds is better than KFC, or Hershey is better chocolate than Cadburys, or Jessica Simpson is a genius...
Empire Strikes Back (and indeed, star wars) is just a fantasy film in space. It offers no insight into the future (like Robocop), no commentry on the present (like Robocop - Which I believe is still relevent enough today!) and doesn't involve people dying horrible, gruesome deaths which make you cringe (which, ok, has nothing to do with it being sci-fi or not.. But it's still a minus point for Empire in my opinion!). Thus, while Star Wars are great films, I'd take stuff like Robocop and Total Recall over them anyday.
And hey1 Robocop 2 was BRILLIANT! Robocop 3 was so terrible I still haven't watched it all the way through, I'll give you that, but 2 was a worthy follow up1
Ah, Robocop 2 wasn't *that* bad. Sure, not a patch on the original, but still enjoyable - especially given it's sequel status.
Interestingly, it was directed by Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner...
Was it? i didnt know that. Empire is the best StarWars movie in my opinion, i never would have thought those 2 films were done by the same director.
Ok robocop2 isnt the worst film ever but it shouldve been so much better, Robocop looks and sounds weird, there are no good one-liners and even the soundtrack is crap, the soundtrack in Robocop1 is excellent (whenever i watch Robocop i always leave the end credits on because the music is great) but the soundtrack in robocop2 is so bad its almost funny.. it doesnt even have the Robocop theme music (maybe it was something to do with license i dont know) But even with all that crap it is still watchable.
Robocop3 however falls into the "Films that shouldnt have been made" category.
I like this stupid robo/bioshock article... it gives me a reason to talk about robocop
I wish they would bring Robocop arcade game to XboxLiveArcade
OT warrior, get a sense of humor and stop being a whingy little bitch. No sarcasm or irony in this article? Get real. As for your criticism of Steve Hogarty, he writes much of the funniest parts of the mag, especially the monthly Sims 2 Stuff pack reviews, which are always hilarious. Dragging down the mag, my bottom.
Ah, I was going to mention Blade Runner, but it's been an age since I watched it! Will have to change that very soon!
Was also going to bring up the Fifth Element... But I realise that doesn't really tick any of the Sci-Fi boxes I mentioned either, but at least gets bonus points for having an artefact pulled out of a dead aliens stomach...
Empire Strikes Back (and indeed, star wars) is just a fantasy film in space. It offers no insight into the future (like Robocop), no commentry on the present (like Robocop - Which I believe is still relevent enough today!) and doesn't involve people dying horrible, gruesome deaths which make you cringe (which, ok, has nothing to do with it being sci-fi or not.. But it's still a minus point for Empire in my opinion!). Thus, while Star Wars are great films, I'd take stuff like Robocop and Total Recall over them anyday.
Sci-Fi purely means 'Science Fiction', not 'plausible futuristic social commentary'. Sure, Star Wars was certainly a 'space opera', but it still falls under the Sci-Fi banner.
Lets also not forget that Total Recall had psychic oxygen starved created mutants, and alien technology that gave Mars a breathable atmosphere. Hardly plausible now, is it?
Sure, I love that movie too, but I still say Empire is better.
Just a quick question though Ed, why are you responding to his article on the forum and not him? I would guess he had to go back to school to learn what exactly the definition of the word "humour" is?
Just a quick question though Ed, why are you responding to his article on the forum and not him? I would guess he had to go back to school to learn what exactly the definition of the word "humour" is?
In reality he's at home, as stuff is coming out of both ends of his body at high velocities.
seriously though, if you're familiar with the pczone mag, it's obvious that mr hogarty is joking/ and or feeling a bit mad for a laugh or something, and entertaining everyone
Actually, Steve was being serious. When he mentioned this in the office every stopped, thought about it for a few seconds, and went "Oh yeah..."
- Richard
PS: Although Robocop would be in the top five, Blade Runner is clearly the greatest science fiction movie of all time. Closely followed by the original Solaris.
And while Empire Strikes Back is the best Star Wars movie of the lot, it wouldn't make the top 5. And it's a 'space opera', which is a sub-genre of science fiction.
Now excuse me while I stick my head in PCZ's new ACME Degeeking Device. We keep it in the cupboard with our irony bat, banhammer, and the tranq rifle we have to use when we want Ed to shut up for more than five seconds.
Sci-Fi purely means 'Science Fiction', not 'plausible futuristic social commentary'. Sure, Star Wars was certainly a 'space opera', but it still falls under the Sci-Fi banner.
Lets also not forget that Total Recall had psychic oxygen starved created mutants, and alien technology that gave Mars a breathable atmosphere. Hardly plausible now, is it?
Sure, I love that movie too, but I still say Empire is better.
Never said it had to be plausible! Simply said that science fiction, as a genre, should have something to say. Isn't that the point of it, really? To look into the future, and dream of what the world *might* be like (with a little artistic lisence, sure) as opposed to what happened a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away?
I love Star Wars, but I certaintly wouldn't call them the greatest sci-fi of all time, if only because they share more in common with Lord of the Rings than H.G. Wells.
Blabb: It's funny that you say that I am a "whingy little bitch", when that is exactly the style of steve writing which you love so much, which is moaning about stuff. Hey look, this article now has irony at last.
Ed: If comments like mine are why he is not responding directly, then he should either be prepared to take insults and stand up for himself, or not put articles on the internet that people are able to slag off when they are terrible. Perhaps even work someplace where his "talents" are not open to ridicule. Although it is good to hear he is actually working on becoming a better writer, and I hope he gets good results.
You're making a link between two things that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. I'm calling you a whingy little bitch because you're making a moronic complaint, and you are somehow relating that to Steve's writing, which is actually MEANT to be funny, even when it is 'moaning' about stuff.
So, because I have an opinion that is different to yours, my comment is now moronic? And you are correct. Steve's writing is meant to be funny. Key word being "meant" because it actually isn't.
What are you anyway? The creator and only member of the Steve Hogarty fan club? You'll notice that more people are saying "Nahh that comparision isn't true, what is he talking about?", which, if his article was funny and well written, most people would be able to get the joke. If there was one.
In case you don't understand the sentence above Blabb, I was referring to you. I thought I would help you out since you have some difficulty grasping any concept more complex than basic insults, of which you enjoy dishing out.
This is exactly why I stopped coming to this place. Anyone one who doesn't post about how they want to f**k one of the writers gets flamed for being an idiot.
You are a f**king idiot, just straight out retarded. I've not posted at PCZ in years, but have logged in to reply to your trollbait.
The reason you're an idiot, is because at least part of you believed that this article was even trying to be serious. You claim that you didn't see this because it wasn't funny, but anyone familiar with BioShock, Robocop, games, words, would have realised that any article entitled "BioShock = RoboCop" could be remotely seriously.
You may understand the words, irony, sarcasm and satire, yet you still think Brasseye is a Panorama style news show. Because you're stupid.
You are a f**king idiot, just straight out retarded. I've not posted at PCZ in years, but have logged in to reply to your trollbait.
The reason you're an idiot, is because at least part of you believed that this article was even trying to be serious. You claim that you didn't see this because it wasn't funny, but anyone familiar with BioShock, Robocop, games, words, would have realised that any article entitled "BioShock = RoboCop" could be remotely seriously.
You may understand the words, irony, sarcasm and satire, yet you still think Brasseye is a Panorama style news show. Because you're stupid.
Also, "Ken Levine, I am accusing you of plagiarising the best sci-fi movie ever created"... WTF?!?! The Empire Strikes Back is WAAAAAAY better than Robocop. I love RC as much as the next guy, but saying that's a better movie than Empire is like saying McDonalds is better than KFC, or Hershey is better chocolate than Cadburys, or Jessica Simpson is a genius...
Empire Strikes Back (and indeed, star wars) is just a fantasy film in space. It offers no insight into the future (like Robocop), no commentry on the present (like Robocop - Which I believe is still relevent enough today!) and doesn't involve people dying horrible, gruesome deaths which make you cringe (which, ok, has nothing to do with it being sci-fi or not.. But it's still a minus point for Empire in my opinion!). Thus, while Star Wars are great films, I'd take stuff like Robocop and Total Recall over them anyday.
And hey1 Robocop 2 was BRILLIANT! Robocop 3 was so terrible I still haven't watched it all the way through, I'll give you that, but 2 was a worthy follow up1
Never said it had to be plausible! Simply said that science fiction, as a genre, should have something to say. Isn't that the point of it, really? To look into the future, and dream of what the world *might* be like (with a little artistic lisence, sure) as opposed to what happened a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far away?
Meh, remove the 'long time ago' and Star Wars is as plausible/possible as many Sci-Fi films out there (i.e. Not very).
Look at films like Metropolis, 2001, or 1984. All showed us 'possible' futures, and yet every one of those we've gone passed the actual date of these, and none of them have actually happened (though 1984 becomes more and more a reality each day - just 20 years later) - doesn't make them any less Sci-Fi.
However, I feel we're just arguing semantics. Robocop is still a great Sci-fi movie. And nothing like Bioshock
<inserts some jibe to one of the PCZ writers - seems to be the done thing>
Mr Hogarty's article was obviously intended to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek and any inflammatory comments with regard to his writing ability are unwarranted.
I've been reading gaming magazines since I was seven years old (I'm twenty-four now...), Crash, ACE, Sinclair User and C&VG, and gaming journalists rarely, if ever, write to the same standard as a literary great and why should they? More importantly... WHO CARES?!?! (apart from pedantic idiots like yourself!)
The majority of their working lives are (presumably) spent working with the technical side of things ie Reviewing! The! f**king! Games! The writing is, I suspect, something that gets done quickly afterwards... (and so long as it's legible and makes sense it matters not that it isn't writen to be an enthralling, immersive piece of classic writing - its a f**king games review not Nineteen Eighty-Four...)
Personally I don't care if the writers of PC Zone or any other magazine of its kind don't use the english language to full effect! If they can tell me that the game is good/bad and add the occassional interesting but not too cerebral article to the mix then I (and I suspect the countless majority of readers) are happy!
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