Et in BioShock ego: References of Religion and Objectivism in BioShock

"Even in BioShock I exist"

References to history as well as many other types exist throughout video games; BioShock is no excuse. Through the game based off the concept of Objectivism, a philosophy by author Ayn Rand that one should follow their own self-interest and profit from their own abilities and ambitions while being virtually uninhibited by others, one is expected to find may references to her works within the game. However, as amusing enough, there are quite a few religious and historical themes hidden and included quite cleverly through the game. Today I'd like to take you all through these [spoiler-free!] references.

The way I shall present these references is that I shall sepearte each into catagories, and each point will be billeted to prevent walls of text. At the beginning of each I will briefly explain why I think although small, they are important. Shall we start?

References to Ayn Rand and her works

What these references help do is portray the concepts of the game. The concept of a game is not just a story that talks about Objectivism. In fact the term is never really used within the game itself. It is more or less "calling out" Objectivism and Ayn Rand. The game is a satire on the ideals and shows what would possibly happen.

• Perhaps one of the most common references people see if they are familiar with Ayn Rand are the names of Rapture's creator Andrew Ryan and the author herself. The history of both are also quite similar. Both were Russian immigrants who grew up in the Soviet Union, only to flee to avoid rising tensions of Communism and their ideals. Both also created cities revolving around their ideas, Ayn Rand created Galt's Gultch featured in Atlas Shrugged whereas Andrew Ryan created Rapture
• A message from Andrew Ryan when the player enters Arcadia shows us that he "sets fire to [his] own land rather than let it fall into public hands" which is similar to Atlas Shrugged where an oil field owner does the same
• A relatively minor character, Anya Andersdotter and Ayn Rand also share similarities in look and their names

                   

References to Religion

If there are no Gods then how is there man? Checkmate atheists

You are introduced to this little banner right before you enter the Bayosphere (the mode of transportation from the surface to Rapture). Throughout the game (and in accordance to the concepts of Objectivism), you see that Andrew Ryan has disowned religion, saying it is unnecessary. However, there are cults within the history of Rapture that practice it and it ends up leaking into Rapture. These references show that although disavowed, religion still has its part.

• Perhaps one of the more obvious references is the name of the city itself. Rapture is a Christian term refering to an event where the "chosen ones" (in this case scientists, artists, and owners of companies) are taken from normal society and transports them into "paradise" (Rapture)
• There are two main substances in the game which you find that are called ADAM and EVE. ADAM is used to rewrite ones genetic code and is used in game to purchase plasmid (powers like shooting lightning and fire or defensive upgrades like health) upgrades to make you stronger. EVE is a modified version of ADAM (much like in biblical tales how Eve was made from Adam's rib) that allows for the actual usage of plasmids. The main concept of the enemies and story of the game is that both ADAM and EVE were used so much that it resulted in horrible mutations and loss of self control, which resulted in a civil war between the lower and upper class. Thus leads us to the run down Rapture of today. I guess you could say that ADAM and EVE ruined the utopia of Rapture with greed and ignorance (I was actually stupid and didn't realize this until now)
• You come to a point where you need seven of three substances to create the Lazarus Project in order to stop the bio-dome of Arcadia from dying. The number seven is referenced many times in the Bible. The name Lazarus itself comes from a Biblical story where Jesus raises Lazarus from the death much like how in the game the Lazarus Project raises Arcadia from the "dead"
• Even in the introduction video to Rapture that plays in the little Bayosphere, Andrew Ryan says "And with the sweat on your brow, Rapture can become your city as well." The phrase "sweat of your brow" is taken from Genesis 3:19, in which God tells Adam that outside the Garden of Eden only by "the sweat of thy brow" would he be able to raise food and survive.
• Although not really that religious, the name Arcadia comes from the Latin phrase "Et in Arcadia ego". This roughly translates to "Even in Arcadia I exist" with "I" being representative of Death. Aracdia was seen by the ancient Greeks as a Utopian society. So with that, the line is given meaning that even in a Utopia, things will die; as the player notices this is what happens to Rapture, a seemingly perfect society. It was apparently so that Andrew Ryan was supposed to utter the line before releasing the poisonous toxins into Arcadia, but was cut out before the game was released.

Those are all the references that I can share with you. If you'd like to see more feel free the follow the links [Spoilers though]. It is very ironic that in a city where religion is outlawed, there are many religious themes. Perhaps this is a lead up to BioShock 2, where the main antagonist leads a cult of splicers known as "The Rapture Family" or even BioShock Infinite, which is full of religious zealots. Who knows. One thing for sure is that the series sure knows how to reference things!