Microsoft Responds to Clockwork Revolution BioShock Infinite Similarities

Microsoft has insisted any similarities between inXile’s Clockwork Revolution and BioShock Infinite are “unintentional”.

Microsoft unveiled Clockwork Revolution during the Xbox Games Showcase with a reveal trailer some said looked remarkably similar to Irrational Games’ 2013 shooter adventure BioShock Infinite.

As a reminder, here’s the Clockwork Revolution reveal trailer:

And here’s a BioShock Infinite trailer:

While both games share a similar steampunk aesthetic, Twitter user Butmac hammered home the point in a series of posts that included side-by-side images lifted from both games. The shots show similar perspectives of statues, sky rails, characters, enemies, and posters.

The Daisy Fitzroy character replete with scarf really cracked me up. pic.twitter.com/t9LNxEMNQa

— Butmac (@Butmac) June 11, 2023

pic.twitter.com/YcrGXUZFfa

— Butmac (@Butmac) June 11, 2023

Clockwork Revolution is described as a “time-bending steampunk first-person RPG”.

“After stumbling across an incredible invention that allows you to travel into the past, you discover the city you call home — the vibrant steam-powered metropolis of Avalon — has been carefully crafted through the alteration of historical events,” reads the description.

“By traveling back to key moments, your interactions and choices will have a butterfly effect on the deep, narrative-driven world and characters of Avalon, causing them to change and react in unprecedented ways.”

The similarity with BioShock Infinite has become the top talking point for Clockwork Revolution in the wake of its reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase. In response, a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN:

“Any similarities are unintentional. Players will be able to fully customize their own main character in the game.”

Character customisation was one feature highlighted by inXile boss Brian Fargo in a series of tweets that stressed the RPG-ness of Clockwork Revolution.

Fargo called Clockwork Revolution a “deep RPG” with “full character creation”, a “branching dialogue system”, “awesome” steampunk weapons and “dark humour”.

Important to know that Clockwork Revolution is a true RPG with all of the stats, crunchy details and deep reactivity that we’re known for.

— Brian Fargo (@BrianFargo) June 11, 2023

These features are points of difference between Clockwork Revolution and BioShock Infinite, the latter of which is less a role-playing game, more a linear, story-based first-person shooter adventure that features lite-RPG elements.

These features are also in-keeping with the types of games inXile has made in the past, including Wasteland 3, Torment: Tides of Numenera, and The Bard’s Tale 4.

Clockwork Revolution is due out “in due time”. There is of course a new BioShock game in development from 2K’s Cloud Chamber Studios, although it has yet to be revealed.

Here’s everything Microsoft announced during its Xbox Games Showcase. And here’s the full Summer of Gaming schedule.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].