Andrew Ryan's Rapture

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Rapture was founded by Andrew Ryan after he became disillusioned with governmental and religious interference in his business affairs. Drawing inspiration from figures like Ayn Rand, Howard Hughes, and Walt Disney, Ryan envisioned a city where no man could be shackled by another's hand. The city's design reflected the Art Deco movement, symbolizing a belief in human dominance over nature. However, the rigid adherence to these ideals proved fragile when faced with resource scarcity and social stratification. Frank Fontaine, initially a partner in Rapture's genetics industry, exploited these weaknesses. When Ryan attempted to control Fontaine's growing power, the con man faked his death and reemerged as Atlas. This triggered a civil war that plunged the city into chaos. Ryan emerged victorious but ruled with increasing ruthlessness, using genetic pheromones to control the populace and impaling the bodies of traitorous former allies outside his office as a warning.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Rapture culminates in the arrival of Jack in 1960, the illegitimate son of Andrew Ryan. Years prior, in 1956, Ryan had an affair with Jasmine Jolene, resulting in a pregnancy he did not know about until Fontaine capitalized on it to steal the embryo. Brigid Tenenbaum was paid to obtain the child, who was genetically accelerated by Dr. Yi Suchong to serve as Fontaine's sleeper agent. Jack, physically an adult but biologically two years old due to manipulation, was sent to the surface with a mental trigger phrase: "Would you kindly?" Upon arriving in Rapture, guided by Atlas (Fontaine), Jack bypassed Ryan's genetic security. In their final confrontation, Ryan revealed Jack's origin, denouncing him as a disappointment and no different from a slave. Using the very command phrase that controlled his son, Ryan ordered Jack to kill him with a golf putter. Under mental compulsion, Jack obeyed, ending Ryan's life and marking the collapse of his vision.

Reader's Guide

Rapture functioned as a unique blend of corporate governance and philosophical utopia under Andrew Ryan's absolute rule. The city was populated by founders, executives, scientists, and artists who subscribed to Objectivist principles. Key figures included the eccentric artist Sander Cohen and Frank Fontaine, whose betrayal sparked the civil war. To maintain order during the conflict, Ryan utilized genetic pheromones to control citizens and established a private police force. The city's infrastructure included "Ryan Amusements," a theme park designed to instill Ryan's ideology in youth and warn against surface dangers. In BioShock 2 multiplayer, set shortly before the main events, players witness Ryan delivering a 1958 New Year's Eve speech and later ordering the populace to hunt down Jack. The city's decline is marked by the ADAM addiction crisis and the rise of Atlas, leading to a state where Ryan's remaining control was maintained only through fear and genetic manipulation.

Did You Know?

• Andrew Ryan's birth name was Andrei Rianofski, and he hailed from a village near Minsk in modern-day Belarus.
• The character's name is a deliberate semi-anagram of Ayn Rand's name to establish a connection to her philosophy.
• Ryan's physical appearance was based on actor Vincent Price, while his voice was provided by Armin Shimerman.
• Ryan impaled the bodies of traitorous former allies outside his office as a warning to others during the civil war.
• The phrase "Would you kindly?" was used to mentally compel Jack to obey any command, including killing Ryan.