How Firewatch, BioShock, Gone Home and System Shock are all set in the same universe

[maximusfuller]

In the gameplay demo of Firewatch from a few weeks back, a book that appears in Gone Home can be seen. This implies that the two are set in the same universe. I think that it has been confirmed that teenagers that we saw weren't Sam and Lorrie, however the theory that the two are set in the same universe would make sense as Steve Gayonor (One of the leads on the game) has a close relationship with Chris Jake and Sean.

 

Earlier this year, Steve Gaynor stated that "Gone Home, System Shock and BioShock are set in the same universe". This theory also seems plausible as Steve worked on BioShock 2 at 2K Marine and Ken Levine worked on both the both the BioShock series and the System Shock.

 

So, in theory all 4 games are set in the same universe, unless of course Firewatch is set in a multi universe and the real story is about trying to Rapture which would be awesome. Mainly because I want to see what Olly Moss could do with that world.

 

Thanks for reading!

[Malfsyde]

I noticed that too, but I wouldn't take it much further than being an amusing easter egg or inside joke in both Firewatch and Gone Home, since being in the same universe doesn't have any larger implications on the story of either of them. Another of the books is authored by Jonas (J.) Allard for example.

 

At most I think it symbolically shows they share the same universe in terms of their conceptual approach to game design, since you can follow the influences back to the immersive sims that System Shock was born from. Also I think Bioshock Infinite attempts to deconstruct the kind of ideas people have about what it means for things to be set in the same universe in a way that could even imply that Half-Life 2 or Dishonored is set in the same universe as Bioshock.

[chummer]

When you have to unlock something that involves the number '451,' the circle will be complete.

[maximusfuller]

I noticed that too, but I wouldn't take it much further than being an amusing easter egg or inside joke in both Firewatch and Gone Home, since being in the same universe doesn't have any larger implications on the story of either of them. Another of the books is authored by Jonas (J.) Allard for example.

 

At most I think it symbolically shows they share the same universe in terms of their conceptual approach to game design, since you can follow the influences back to the immersive sims that System Shock was born from. Also I think Bioshock Infinite attempts to deconstruct the kind of ideas people have about what it means for things to be set in the same universe in a way that could even imply that Half-Life 2 or Dishonored is set in the same universe as Bioshock.

Yeah I kinda guessed that. I asked the Campo Santo guys why they did it and they said that they did it as a joke.

[sclpls]

[syntheticgerbil]

Was this thread for real?

[Forbin]

They mentioned this on the podcast didn't they?

[juv3nal]

So this is an alternate universe/dimension (in the style of binfinite) where uncle Oscar chooses to exile himself to the Wyoming wilderness (taking on the assumed name Henry) instead of locking himself up in his house after he abuses Terence.

This fits with Henry's dark mysterious past that he seems to be trying to run away from and also explains the presence of the books.

(There are of course problems with dates and such, but we can hand wave this away with "alternate dimension/world")

Got to say it's pretty bold for Campo Santo to have the player take on the role of a child molester.

[BobbyBesar]

When I read this thread, I can't help but think of this guy.