This is why we can't have nice things...
If you've crawled out from under your rock any time within the last week then you've heard that Bioshock has had some "issues" with it's release. From supposed DRM on the PC release, widescreen squashing, piracy protection that only lets you install the game twice, and a small newspaper in Boston reacting to the option to kill the little sisters rather then save them.
Interestingly, all these reports came in not even 24 hours after the release, and some even before the release itself. Pondering this kind of madness conjures images of waifish teenagers, greasy haired, and shirt dusted with a fine layer of cheetos crumbs rushing home to find any perceived error they can, in order to claim the high prize of "FIRST!". You win little man, congratulations on ruining a fabulous game for yourself.
So what happened as a result of all these complaints? Did 2k Games scoff at it's user base while it rolled around in the giant piles of money they've started shipping into the offices as bedding? Did Ken Levine laugh in the face of the first skinny nerd he met on the street after ducking all questions from fans of the game? No, in an unprecedented move, 2k Games and Ken Levine himself responded to all gripes (with the exception of the thick skulled dolts at the Patriot Ledger) either by fixing the issues, promising a fix, or helping fans understand that what they singled out as the problem-du-jour was in fact a painful lack of insight on the part of the whiny, feckless fanboy.
The DRM issue has since been proven reactionary tripe (which is fantastic considering that's really the only serious issue I can see with the release), the widescreen thing is only really a problem if you absolutely, positively have to see every micrometer of viewable content, and 2k has extended the number of installs from 2 to 5 although if you payed attention you'd realize that this limit is reset if you uninstall the game first rather then simply blasting it out of your bits and reinstalling. Notice I didn't list the Patriot Ledger's article, that's because the majority of you probably cackled as you watched the life fade from the eyes of the little sisters, and anyone that is going to take that article seriously isn't going to run into any of the other supposed problems with Bioshock's release.
So why, aside from the "FIRST!" asshattery, are folks complaining? Because they can. People, gamers especially, are bitchy little shits that require A) something to complain about and B) to be pandered to. My suspicion is that Ken Levine and crew had the game perfected, but wanting to provide a truly rich and pervasive experience for gamers they introduced imperfections. This shit is meta, people! Ken Levine is just so far ahead of you all that what you think are imperfections are simply extensions of the game and everyone on the 2k forums that canceled their reservations for the game (and actually followed through as opposed to simply posing like a tough guy) has missed out.
However in all seriousness, don't let a few minor, niggling, issues ruin a game for you, especially one as gorgeous and well written as Bioshock.
