Hardcore: BioShock Infinite Has '1999 Mode'

Irrational Games have just announced a new play mode that will be appearing in BioShock Infinite. Called 1999 Mode, it's aimed at appealing to those who think games have become too easy. Ken Levine explains, "We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots," adding that 1999 Mode means that you'll face more permanent consequences from their choices you make, and force you to stick with the specialisations you choose.

Levine continues,

"I’m an old school gamer. We wanted to make sure we were taking into account the play styles of gamers like me. So we went straight to the horse’s mouth by asking them, on our website, a series of questions about how they play our games. 94.6 percent of respondents indicated that upgrade choices enhanced their BioShock gameplay experience; however, 56.8 percent indicated that being required to make permanent decisions about their character would have made the game even better."

The mode will also require tougher management of your health, weapons and powers, with an actual "Game Over" screen appearing if you die without the resources to bring yourself back to life.

What are those consequences, and how much impact will it have on the game you're being told? We should be able to bring you much more information about that tomorrow.