Irrational Games and 2K Games have announced that "BioShock Infinite: Mind in Revolt," an e-book prequel to the upcoming BioShock Infinite, will release for the Amazon Kindle on Feb. 12 for $2.99 and will be a free bonus for those who pre-order the game through Amazon.
"BioShock Infinite: Mind in Revolt" will give an in-depth look at the mysterious floating city of Columbia before the events of the upcoming video game. Irrational Games' writer Joe Fielder wrote the e-book with creative director Ken Levine.
"Since we first announced BioShock Infinite, our fans have asked for more information about Columbia and the complex cast of characters that inhabit the floating city," said Fielder. "After reading the e-book, players will have a better understanding of BioShock Infinite's world, the struggle between its factions, and the motivations of key characters, like rebel leader Daisy Fitzroy, without spoiling the mysteries of BioShock Infinite."
In a recent interview with IGN, Fielder explained some of the plot points from "BioShock Infinite: Mind in Revolt" including the role of Dr. Francis Pinchot, a psychologist in Columbia.
"The research that Pinchot is doing is trying to discover the roots of mankind's rebellious nature," Fielder told IGN. "Whether it's from genetics or upbringing, nature or nurture. And the idea is that once they understand it, they can treat it. They can eliminate it. When [Daisy] Fitzroy is captured, she seems like the ideal subject, but he ends up getting a little more than he bargained for in the course of the story."
Fielder explained to IGN that Pinchot will not appear in BioShock Infinite, because he predates the story, but Fielder hopes that gamers who read the e-book will gain some insight into the "darker implications" of the story.
"The story is written in such a way that ideally it'll give you further insight into the characters of the game, the factions, the city, but it won't step on any of the game's big reveals or any of the secrets," Fielder told IGN. "Hopefully once the reader has finished the game, some of the darker implications of the story will resonate a little more fully."
Irrational Games also recently announced The Industrial Revolution Pack as a preorder bonus for BioShock: Infinite. The DLC pack gives gamers exclusive access to three in-game gear items that boost combat abilities, 500 bonus in-game currency, five lock picks. The bonus also includes the Industrial Revolution puzzle game, which unlocks stories of Columbia and allows players to pledge their allegiance to the Vox Populi or Founders through Facebook, according to Irrational Games.
BioShock: Infinite releases on March 26, 2013 worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms. Learn more about the creation of Elizabeth here and learn how Irrational Games tackled the issue of racism in 1912 here.
Check out the game's first five minutes below and tell us what you think of the new e-book and the Infinite's first five minutes in the comment section below...