This week, 2K Games said it will release Bioshock Infinite to Sony Corp.’s Playstation 3, Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360, and the PC in 2012.

Bioshock Infinite will take place in the floating city in the sky called Columbia.

In the game, former Pinkerton agent Booker DeWitt is sent to Columbia to rescue a young woman named Elizabeth who was imprisoned there since childhood.

A brand new game engine, new animation and AI systems, Sky-Line battles, indoor and outdoor combat, and dozens of new weapons and abilities are said to be included in the new game.

BioShock Infinite is the third game in the BioShock series. Previously known as “Project Icarus,” it is not a direct sequel or prequel to previous BioShock games, taking place at a previous time and different setting, though features similar gameplay concepts from these games.

The BioShock series was designed by Ken Levine. It was originally released for the Windows operating system and Xbox 360 video game console on August 21, 2007 in North America, and three days later in Europe and Australia. A PlayStation 3 version of the game, which was developed by 2K Marin, was released internationally on October 17, 2008 and in North America on October 21, 2008 with some additional features. The game was also released for the Mac OS X operating system on October 7, 2009. A version of the game for mobile platforms is currently being developed by IG Fun. A sequel, BioShock 2, was released on February 9, 2010.

(Thanks to Punch Jump and Wikipedia)