"Come on in and show us those snappy snappies." - Peach Wilkins
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Pictures needed: Renders: Main business sign; "Stairs To Showroom" sign; "Redeem your free sample here!" sign; "Company Man" graffiti. |
- “You might try where they hock them new bathyspheres. As I hear it, Old Man Winter's the only thing keeps their batteries from bursting into flames after five minutes.”
- ― Atlas[src]
The Test-Drive of Bathyspheres DeLuxe is where potential buyers would test out the Bathyspheres Fontaine's Housewares department had to offer.
History[]
Test-Drive was a place for testing and exhibiting to customers the many Bathyspheres from the Bathyspheres DeLuxe showroom within Fontaine's of Rapture. The facility has its own dock, used only for demonstration and showcasing the products. According to the manager, Kay Flannigan, the newer model Bathyspheres had a dangerous design flaw and tended to overheat. Rather than go public with this information, the company simply supplied a free sample of the Plasmid Old Man Winter with purchase and labeled it as a promotional giveaway.[1] When the department store was turned in to a prison by Andrew Ryan for Frank Fontaine's followers, Atlas' followers used the Test-Drive as a stronghold. While the Manta Ray Lounge was used as a food storage, the Test-drive held items valuable in combat. One of Atlas' men, Felix Molloy, was given a task to come up with where to attack first when (and if) they managed to escape, while he was staying here.[2] Emmett Wyman was sent to the department store, under Ryan Industries, as an undercover prisoner[3] but was eventually caught, tortured and murdered, in the Test-Drive.
Burial at Sea - Episode 2[]
- Main article: Burial at Sea - Episode 2
Elizabeth enters this area through the main entrance of the Test-Drive and in to the reception. If Elizabeth attempts to access the facility early in the game, one of Atlas' followers will bar her from entering. Later on, in order to fix the vandalized Lutece Device, Elizabeth needs to find some Old Man Winter. She spots the advertising for the Plasmid and heads in. Atlas radioed ahead with his approval and she's permitted in. Elizabeth obtains the Plasmid, but on her way out, Splicers assault the Test-drive and attack Atlas' men, forcing her to defend herself once again.
Test-Drive Reception[]
This was where the customers got information and booked time at the Test-Drive. A large advertisement for Old Man Winter is between the entrance and reception desk. A female Splicer can be found behind the counter along the audio diary This Atlas Guy by Samantha Kemp.
Atlas' Hideout[]
After checking in at the reception, customers would be escorted here where the Bathysphere they favored would have been transported through the airlock and then taken for a test-drive. The sane followers of Atlas have made a makeshift barricade, with a steel door and office furnishing used as extra support, blocking any intruders from entering. Felix Molloy is currently on guard-duty and sits near the door right before the rest of the stairway. The two remaining followers are minding their own business. The interior of Test-Drive has been fully converted into a headquarter filled with supplies, such as knives, gas-masks and crates stacked along the walls. Atlas propaganda hangs on every wall, thanks to the printing machine, and Kay Flannigan's audio diary Old Man Winter Giveaway, sits on a desk close by. A round platform is used as a table for the planning of the attack with Felix Molloy's audio diary For All Occasions, along a map of Rapture used to pin-point locations. Several key targets were suggested, such as Pharaoh's Fortune Casino in Fort Frolic, the Adonis Luxury Resort and the Farmer's Market in Arcadia. The Kashmir Restaurant was ultimately chosen due to the timing. The area has a minor flood, coming from the airlock, that's slowly giving away thanks to the pressure or because it was sabotaged by Ryan to prevent escape. There is an air vent going from here to the Employees Only area, containing Radar Range Ammo, Coffee, a Can of Beans, Tomato Soup and a pile of coins. The vandalized Need to Know Theater Message Received, Ryan! can be found next to a Circus of Values vending machine, near the entrance to the Old Man Winter Display.
Old Man Winter Display[]
The Old Man Winter Display was where the Plasmid was showcased. Citizens who bought one of the new Bathysphere models could redeem their free sample from here. Like Atlas said, the Plasmid is found on the display table.
Employees Only[]
This Area is found left of the Old Man Winter Display and was used for additional storage and communication. Emmett Wyman's tortured corpse can be found here, tied to a desk, and the words "Company Man" written on the wall in red paint (or blood) behind him. His audio diary Prison Intel, Dispatch #8 can be found in his hand. One of the Coded Messages can be found next to the wireless telegraph devices. The area also contains two Lockpicks, a bottle of Salts and a First Aid Kit.
Strategy[]
- Make sure you've done everything you want in this area before you pick up Old Man Winter, because as soon you leave the display room with the Plasmid, Splicers will attack the Test-Drive.
- Try not to hit any of Atlas' men during battle, as it will make them hostile towards you.
- Use the ornamental lighting sconce to get to a wall platform or quickly access the exit.
- The air vent can be used as a hiding place.
- The air vent has ventilation holes that goes over the Employees Only area, which can be used to shoot at enemies.
- When the Splicers are killed, Atlas' men will return to normal.
- You can let the Splicers and Atlas' men fight until only one side remains and deal with the rest.
- The flooded part of the Hideout can be frozen with your new Plasmid and will naturally freeze any enemy standing in the water.
- The vending machine contains the Cathode Tube the player needs.
New Discoveries[]
Single Use Events[]
New Plasmids[]
Audio Diaries[]
- Samantha Kemp - This Atlas Guy - Test-Drive Reception, on a desk.
- Felix Molloy - For All Occasions - Atlas' Hideout, on the platform with possible targets in the middle.
- Kay Flannigan - Old Man Winter Giveaway - Atlas' Hideout, on a desk near the printing machine.
- Emmett Wyman - Prison Intel, Dispatch #8 - Employees Only area, in Emmett Wyman's hand.
Need to Know Theater[]
Gallery[]
Behind the Scenes[]
- The Splicers that attack the Test-Drive will only spawn if Elizabeth takes the right path from the Old Man Winter display: If you take the left path, nothing will happen.
- The song played at the Test-Drive Reception is the "Old Man Winter Jingle".
- The followers of Atlas use a Rapture Citizen head and the body of one of the Early Splicers. The two remaining followers besides Felix Molloy do not have any dialogue.
- The photographs of possible targets are screenshots taken of BioShock and BioShock 2.
References[]
- ↑ Kay Flannigan's Audio Dairy: Old Man Winter Giveaway
- ↑ Felix Molloy's Audio Diary: For All Occasions
- ↑ Emmett Wyman's Audio Diary: Prison Intel, Dispatch #8
Locations and Businesses in Housewares | ||
---|---|---|
Exit Plaza | Toys · Ryan the Lion Preparatory Academy · Cupid's Arrow | |
Bathyspheres DeLuxe | Silver Fin Restaurant · Test-Drive · Service Bay · Manta Ray Lounge |