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Since I was a kid, I constantly read books. From fantasy to horror, if it had the air of fantastical or eldritch, you’d see me buried in it. Books ignited my imagination and that of others. So, when a leap is made from a book to video games, you get some engaging narratives.
As I recently revisited the first Bioshock game, I noticed hints to Ayn Rand’s book Atlas Shrugged. Like where Assassin’s Creed was drawn from the book Alamut by Vladimir Bartol, the first Bioshock is a respectful critique of Atlas Shrugged.
Let’s delve into how Rand’s ideas are alluded to in the dystopian world of the Rapture city. A place that’s not only full of murky intrigue but also floods you with a look into human nature and society.
Shared Themes and Ideas
Objectivism:
Atlas Shrugged promotes the idea of objectivism in the society of Galt’s Gulch. I won’t discuss objectivism’s ideals, but the book does emphasize individualism and self-interest as the moral standard, and I’ll leave it at that.
Likewise, in Bioshock, Rapture is a city under the sea designed as a utopia for people to fulfill self-interest and escape the government’s overextending control. This concept mirrors Rand’s vision of a society built around unrestrained capitalism and individual achievement.
The “Great Man”:
In Atlas Shrugged, the ‘great men’ are mentioned. These were thinkers and innovators of humanity who were fundamentally engines of the world. When they withdrew from society for Galt’s Gulch, society collapsed.
Meanwhile, Bioshock had Andrew Ryan, the founder of Rapture, embody this idea. He built Rapture as a haven where great individuals could thrive without the moral and legal tendrils of constraints.
However, this reversed the book and led to Andrew’s downfall along with the decay of the city, illustrating the consequences of unchecked ambition and rigid hierarchy.
Artists, entrepreneurs, and scientist descended into a dark nature as if gripped by a haunting and maddening melody.

Government and Control:
In Rand’s book, governments are criticized for excessive control and unnegotiable censorship. Similarly, those who benefit from the works of others without contributing something of themselves are condemned for exhibiting a parasitic nature.
However, Rapture’s initial absence of government and regulation leads to chaos, critiquing Rand’s ideal that a society without governance can function if populated by self-serving elites.
This idea would not be sustainable as elites would inevitably push against each other for control.
Moral Ambiguity and Choice:
Characters in Atlas Shrugged often face moral dilemmas that challenge their philosophical ideals.
Likewise, as the player, we will make choices in Bioshock that affect the storyline and the fate of other characters, such as whether to save or exploit the Little Sisters.
This decision reflects the moral implications of Rand’s view of pursuing self-interest based on our personal logic.

Closing Thoughts
Bioshock is a complex commentary on Atlas Shrugged, illustrating the dangers of extreme objectivism through its narrative and gameplay.
The game not only entertains but also invites players to reflect on human behavior and societal structure as we abandon the sodden decay of a once-enthralling utopia.
So, what do you think of Bioshock and Atlas Shrugged? Comment below and share your thoughts.

Nero lives in the United States, delving into indie horror to mainstream games. Armed with a psych degree and a passion for storytelling, he wrote stories and essays published online and in museum catalogs. Besides writing, he also likes sketching and tuning into rock music. Catch his latest posts or follow him across social media.