BioShock Infinite's Big Daddy Substitute Gets a Name

[Logan Westbrook]

BioShock Infinite's Big Daddy Substitute Gets a Name

If you were looking for some more details on the fish-tank dunking, girl-snatching steampunk cyborgs of BioShock Infinite, then look no further.

Even among the floating townhouses and psychic powers of BioShock Infinite's teaser trailer, it was impossible to miss the enormous mechanical man with a beating, human heart protected behind a glass shield. This is hardly surprising, as aside from this rather unique appearance, the guy who throws the protagonist out of a window at the start of the trailer - which is even worse in a flying city - and grabs the girl at the end, tends to make an impression. Don't think that he's just some nameless horror though, because he's actually called "Handyman."

But according to BioShock Infinite team, he was very nearly called something else; he was very nearly called "Crabman." On the latest Irrational podcast [http://irrationalgames.com/insider/irrational-behavior-episode-7-part-2/], concept artist Rob Waters said that the original design called for crab-like claws, but they were scrapped after Irrational realized that it looked goofy when the character was put into the game. Art director Nate Wells said that Handyman's functionality in the game also shaped his design, as he was supposed to punch, which required fists rather than grabbing claws.

Lead artist Shawn Robertson believes that the evolution in the design was actually a good thing, because Handyman's huge porcelain hands are more "fundamentally scary" than crab's claws, and adds a certain humanity to the character. Interestingly, Handyman is only ever referred to in the singular in the artist's conversation, which might mean nothing, or it might might mean that he has a different purpose than a Big Daddy. If Handyman was some kind of unique enemy that hunted you down - similar to Nemesis in Resident Evil 3 - that could be an incredible gameplay experience.


BioShock Infinite is scheduled for release some time in 2012.

Source: CVG [http://www.vg247.com/2010/08/25/bioshock-infinite-big-daddy-replacement-named-handyman/]







Permalink

 

[Jared]

Ohhhh! Nice! I like the new direction for sure...something fresh indeed!

 

[Captain Pancake]

Ah, that sounds interesting. Like the Hunter in Dead Space. I hope that's what they do, the Big Daddy's image was kinda sullied after you killed about 20 of them.

 

[konor77]

i'm thinking that the heart is his(their)weak spot and that there will be a tradgic story behind the creation of them(him).

 

[Internet Kraken]

You know if they are going for a new direction, I don't see why they need to drag the Big Daddy along with them. It's really the only thing that still bothers me about Bioshock:Infinite.

 

[sephiroth1991]

I like the idea of a constant enemy like Nemesis, I beleve the big sister was going to be like this but it was dropped cos the devs thought their was no sence of accomplishment when you beat her.

 

[WrcklessIntent]

Ok for me Bioshock 2 never happened and this is actually the sequel to Bioshock. This is seeming like its going to be amazing so far.

 

[Harlemura]

I was about to say "Handyman" doesn't sound very intimidating, but then I remembered that "Big Daddy" didn't exactly strike fear into your heart.
Until you went toe to toe with one, at least.

Better name than Frederic anyway. Better, but yet makes me slightly disappointed...

EDIT:
Just noticed who the woman reminds me of. Anna from Tekken but less, you know... slutty. That's been bugging me since I first saw the trailer.
Thought I'd share that with you all. You're welcome.

 

[Hybridwolf]

Ok for me Bioshock 2 never happened and this is actually the sequel to Bioshock. This is seeming like its going to be amazing so far.

Surely this would be a prequel, Considering the time placement?

OT: Intresting they go with the hands for a name. The way they clicked as he was about to pick up the guy in the trailer was more creepy then the heart for me. Not too mention, I love the fact his boots are coloured like spats.

 

[Irridium]

Wait, so we're fighting these things:

Awesome

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

If Handyman was some kind of unique enemy that hunted you down - similar to Nemesis in Resident Evil 3 - that could be an incredible gameplay experience.

But remember, they said they would be doing that in Bioshock 2 with the Big Sister and that turned up pretty much nothing.

 

[wooty]

Hmmmmmmm, I'm still not fully convinced about Sky-oshock, might take a few more months and some gameplay footage before my interest is fully perked up again

 

[coldfrog]

Ah, that sounds interesting. Like the Hunter in Dead Space. I hope that's what they do, the Big Daddy's image was kinda sullied after you killed about 20 of them with a wrench to the head.

Is this what you meant?

Yeah - I like where this game is going - I don't mind it taking the BioShock name as long as A: Irrational is in charge and B: It's GOOD. I mean, with System Shock, those games were related but could easily be played on their own - in fact, I never played the first one. I hope to see a universe tied together with this new game - possibly a young Ryan? Maybe even Fontaine - no one said he mightn't have affected his aging with ADAM.

 

[WrcklessIntent]

Ok for me Bioshock 2 never happened and this is actually the sequel to Bioshock. This is seeming like its going to be amazing so far.

Surely this would be a prequel, Considering the time placement?

OT: Intresting they go with the hands for a name. The way they clicked as he was about to pick up the guy in the trailer was more creepy then the heart for me. Not too mention, I love the fact his boots are coloured like spats.

Alright if you wanna be technical about it yes it is a "prequel" but it looks like what i wanted the next Bioshock game to be new location, charcters, and story. For me Bioshock 2 was just to much of Bioshock 1 with an "Ok" story.

 

[WanderingFool]

I think Handyman is the perfect name, as he could be seen as a "fixer"; hunt your (the main character's) sorry ass down. Hopefully he'll be more like Nemesis, RE3 wasnt scary at all... until your first and subsequent encounters with him. If it wasnt for Nemesis, that game would have been as dull as pre-calc (literally had a monotone teacher for it).

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

I really like the idea of a persistent, single enemy that pursues you. I was sad when this aspect was dropped from BioShock 2. Since this seems to be more the game they wanted to make, instead of a cash-in sequel, I'm getting more and more excited about it.

 

[Skuffyshootster]

I still don't understand why his heart is displayed on his chest, especially if it's supposed to be his weak spot. Shouldn't it be hidden or something?

 

[Lucane]

Something like Nemisis would be interesting to combat if they can make his/thier appearances seem random enough to make a player on edge from leaving hallway13 to going to room 22 and Handy may or may not show up at all on your way in but could on your way back out.

 

[Sylocat]

Is his primary weapon a roll of duct tape?