User:Haleth/Prompto Argentum

Booker DeWitt is a character from the BioShock video game series created by Ken Levine, published by 2K Games. He is the player character of the 2013 title BioShock Infinite as well as Episode One of its downloadable content (DLC) expansion, Burial at Sea. He is voiced by Troy Baker, who was invited by Levine to become more involved with the development of his character as opposed to simply delivering his lines in a recording booths.

Booker is introduced in Infinite as an antiheroic mercenary who is tasked with traveling to a fantastical floating city named Columbia to retrieve a young woman named Elizabeth, in exchange for relief of his gambling debts owed to unknown, dangerous individuals. Booker and Elizabeth goes on the run from Columbia's forces and its leader Father Zachary Hale Comstock. By the game's end,

a disgraced soldier who served in a United States Army cavalry regiment, and a former agent of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

Creation
Although the silent protagonist of the first BioShock was central to its story beats, there was no genuine sense of character beyond his role as an avatar or cipher for the player. While its protagonist's lack of speech is comparable to other notable silent protagonists in video games like Gordon Freeman and is consistent with the game's theme of determinism versus free will, Kevin Levine wanted the player character of BioShock Infinite to be an altogether different player experience. Levine waned to avoid complacency with the "silent protagonist" motif as well to have face-to-face interactions with other non-player characters instead of being told what to do over a radio or separated by a barrier. As Infinite is fundamentally developed in a different creative direction, Levine intended for its protagonist, and by extension the player as they embody the role of the character, to be an active participant of the game's narrative and setting with a fully fleshed out backstory. This is demonstrated by Booker vocalizing his observations and muttering comments to himself, with the occasional flashback to his past and his purpose in Columbia, as well as glimpses of his faces which occasionally appear on reflective surfaces encountered by the player.

Casting
Stephen Russell was the character's initial voice actor; his performance as Booker was featured in a E3 2010 trailer for Infinite. Russell was eventually replaced Troy Baker, who became extensively involved in the development process for Infinite beyond recording his lines. Alongside Elizabeth's voice actress Courtney Draper, Baker was considered to be collaborator on the story development process. The three spent a significant amount of time in the recording studio, improvising scenes and working on repeated recordings to try to find the right tone to present scripted dialog; such changes were then reflected appropriately in the game's story and dialog.


 * https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/04/09/exploring-the-full-history-of-bioshock-infinite-video-gameography
 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yho2gv3I0So&ab_channel=2K
 * https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2012/12/07/bioshock-infinite/1753657/
 * https://venturebeat.com/2012/12/07/bioshock-infinite-forces-players-to-confront-racism-hands-on-preview/
 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yho2gv3I0So&ab_channel=2K
 * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkLx71kQuX0&ab_channel=2K
 * https://www.gamezone.com/news/troy-baker-talks-about-voice-acting-on-bioshock-infinite/

Characterization and development
Although Booker's visage was featured more prominently in promotional and marketing material for BioShock Infinite as opposed to the game itself, which is played from a first person perspective, defining the character's physical appearance was still an important priority for the development team. Booker's visual design changed numerous times over the course of development: from an early concept of a thuggish brute, to sketches that evoke the look of a scowling youth or an archetypal square-jawed superhero. The character's finalized physicality was described by the team as a "weather-beaten everyman"; their ultimate goal was to ensure that it matches his gruff voice and irascible character.

Initially, Comstock intended Columbia to promote American Exceptionalism to the world, but tensions emerged with President William McKinley. This boiled over in 1901, when Comstock ordered an attack on Peking during the Boxer Rebellion. The government demanded he return to the United States, but Comstock seceded Columbia, and became its de facto ruler. To maintain his leadership, Comstock has created a cult of personality and police state within Columbia, which also protects his secrets by weaving them into the mythology he has created. Under his leadership, Columbia exists with nativist and ultra nationalistic attitudes, with minority groups subject to seizure of assets, false imprisonment and penal labor, torture and summary execution without charge. Comstock created a religion that Levine described as being a hybrid of Christianity and the worship of the Founding Fathers as religious figures. At the same time, he eschews figures like Abraham Lincoln, considering him to be a "devil" that led America astray when he freed the African slaves; in one area of the game, the player encounters a cult-like group that reveres John Wilkes Booth as a hero.

BioShock Infinite
Booker Dewitt (Troy Baker, Stephen Russell in the early demo), the player protagonist. He continued to work as a private investigator from New York City, referring to himself as an "independent contractor".

As a soldier in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, he had performed brutal acts against native American Indians at the Battle of Wounded Knee to impress his fellow soldiers, and earned him the title "White Injun" due to his tendency to scalp those he killed. These acts left him emotionally scarred, leading to excessive drinking and gambling. He was given an opportunity to be baptized and start anew, but declined. He was later dismissed for behavior beyond the acceptable bounds of the Pinkerton Agency, but considers his actions in quelling labor strikes to be among his many sins.

By the game's end, it is revealed that Booker is the father of Elizabeth, who was originally named Anna DeWitt. Comstock, having gone sterile and desiring an heir, had the Luteces persuade Booker in 1893 to give her to them, in exchange for his debt being paid. Booker later regretted his decision, and attempted to stop Comstock and the Luteces as they left through a portal. In the struggle, Anna's finger was severed as the portal closed. The Luteces later contacted Booker and offered to bring him to Comstock's reality and stop him after he betrayed them. Booker accepted this, but the effects of inter-dimensional travel caused his memory to confuse finding Elizabeth with giving away Anna.

Elizabeth takes Booker to the river the baptism was supposed to occur, adding that while he rejected it, another Booker in a different reality accepted it and became Comstock. She (and other Elizabeth's from different realities) concludes that the only way to prevent Comstock from being born is to "drown" Booker, which he accepts. He is "drowned" in the river. In the post-credits scene, a Booker (it is unclear of this is the one played through the game or one from a different reality) awakens in his home in 1893. He goes into Anna's room, but what he finds is left unknown. It is revealed in Burial at Sea that another Comstock fled to  Rapture using Booker's identity, but is killed by Elizabeth. An aspect of Booker later speaks to Elizabeth in her head, guiding her through Rapture.

Burial
A version of Comstock serves as the protagonist for the first Burial at Sea DLC. After the baby Anna was killed when the dimensional portal (which in the main game only severed her finger) decapitated her, Comstock left his Columbia for Rapture to forget his grief and returned to being Booker DeWitt. There he unofficially adopted a Little Sister named Sally, and was later hired by a version of Elizabeth to find her. This was revealed to be a test to see if this version of Comstock had changed his ways, and when it became apparent that he had not, Elizabeth had the Big Daddy they were fighting impale Comstock from behind and kill him for good.

Reception
The character of Booker was well received. He was nominated for the Best Male Character by Cheat Code Central, awarded second place. Troy Baker was also praised for his performance as Booker. At the 2013 Spike VGX, his role as Booker was nominated for Best Voice Actor; he ultimately won the award for his role as Joel in The Last of Us.

The character of Booker is considered to be one of Troy Baker's breakout performances. At the 2013 Spike VGX, his role as Booker was nominated for Best Voice Actor.

Appearances
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/gaming/2013/01/22/bioshock-infinite-ebook-kindle/1853761/

Promotion and merchandise

 * https://www.themarysue.com/choose-bioshock-cover/
 * https://www.engadget.com/2011-07-07-go-face-to-face-with-bioshock-infinites-booker-dewitt.html
 * https://www.gamezone.com/news/happy-birthday-booker-dewitt/
 * https://www.escapistmagazine.com/print-your-own-bioshock-infinite-cover/
 * https://bleedingcool.com/collectibles/bioshock-infinite-gaming-heads-exclusive-booker-dewitt-statue/
 * https://www.destructoid.com/qa-with-ken-levine-head-in-the-clouds/

Reception

 * https://kotaku.com/an-effin-ai-in-bioshock-infinite-is-more-of-a-human-th-470825011
 * https://www.destructoid.com/eating-food-to-heal-in-bioshock-infinite-really-was-too-much/
 * https://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/05/booker-dewitt-really-should-learn-moderation-when-it-comes-to-eating/
 * https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/05/25/booker-dewitt-adjusts-to-life-after-bioshock-infinite.aspx
 * https://www.eurogamer.net/cool-bioshock-infinite-themed-fallout-4-settlement-puts-columbia-in-the-commonwealth


 * https://web.archive.org/web/20160913200014/http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2013/05/17/the-last-of_us-preview/?doing_wp_cron=1460372030.2431919574737548828125
 * https://www.eurogamer.net/three-years-on-how-does-bioshock-infinite-hold-up
 * https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/2/4174344/opinion-why-my-wife-wont-play-bioshock-infinite
 * https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/04/05/bioshock-infinite-and-the-problem-with-video-game-violence/?sh=48629a3f71c2


 * https://www.eurogamer.net/inside-the-actors-studio-with-nolan-north
 * https://www.techspot.com/news/93014-people-selling-nfts-featuring-stolen-images-influencers-youtube.html
 * https://www.pcgamer.com/fortnite-season-five-gets-a-story-trailer-teasing-the-return-of-the-seven/
 * https://www.thegamer.com/ubiquitous-troy-baker-confirmed-as-main-antagonist-upcoming-horror-the-medium/
 * https://www.engadget.com/2017-06-27-troy-baker-shadow-of-war-naughty-dog-interview.html
 * https://www.pcgamesn.com/booker-cast-bioshocks-troy-baker-star-opposite-kevin-spacey-call-duty-advanced-warfare
 * https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/3/12/8193433/troy-baker-shadow-of-mordor-the-last-of-us
 * https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/death-stranding/troy-baker-emily-obrien-join-cast-of-hideo-kojimas/

Analysis
Booker is skeptical of faith, unwilling to accept the idea that he can be absolved of his sins by embracing religion, as he considers his sins to be so extreme as to demand a penance rather than forgiveness.

Outwardly, he cares little for the extraordinary, provided that it does not interfere with his ability to do his job; internally, he is disturbed by both his role in the events at Wounded Knee and recurring visions of New York City under attack from the air.


 * https://www.polygon.com/features/2016/7/7/12025874/where-are-the-video-game-moms
 * https://venturebeat.com/2014/04/02/the-best-weirdest-and-most-comforting-theories-about-bioshock-infinites-burial-at-sea-ending/view-all/
 * https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-using-player-avatar-relations-to-make-more-engaging-and-successful-games
 * https://www.eurogamer.net/ken-levine-discusses-bioshock-infinite-burial-at-sea-episode-1-ending
 * https://www.gamesradar.com/bioshock-infinites-ending-explained-answering-all-of-columbias-questions/
 * https://www.escapistmagazine.com/explaining-bioshock-infinite/
 * https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-infinite-baptism-of-the-human-heart/1100-6407174/
 * https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2013/03/29/the-one-twist-in-bioshock-infinite-you-might-have-missed-completely/?sh=20a7da2a7e6e
 * https://www.eurogamer.net/bioshock-infinite-ending-explained
 * https://www.popmatters.com/170863-2495761414.html
 * https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/04/09/523019414/reading-the-game-bioshock-infinite