Columbia Founding Day

Lore & Background

Columbia was founded by Zachary Hale Comstock as a floating world's fair to display American exceptionalism during the 1890s. The city seceded from the United States after it independently intervened in the Boxer Rebellion, disappearing into the clouds. By 1912, it had transformed into a theocratic police state where Comstock is worshipped as a prophet and the US Founding Fathers are venerated as religious icons. Institutional racism and elitism define the social structure, with minorities serving as a labor underclass. The city exists on the verge of civil war between the ruling Founders and the Vox Populi resistance led by Daisy Fitzroy. Columbia is also home to "Tears" in the space-time continuum, which some use for technology or replicate futuristic media from alternate realities.

In Their Own Story

In July 1912, Booker DeWitt arrives in Columbia as a disgraced Pinkerton agent seeking Elizabeth. He is immediately pursued by authorities who identify him as a "False Shepherd" prophesied to corrupt her. After freeing Elizabeth from her tower and evading the robotic warden Songbird, they commandeer an airship. Elizabeth discovers Booker intends to take them to New York City to pay his gambling debts and knocks him unconscious. Upon waking, Booker finds the ship controlled by Daisy Fitzroy of the Vox Populi. Traveling through Tears, they witness a reality where Booker is a martyr and open warfare has erupted. In the main timeline, Elizabeth kills Fitzroy to prevent her from killing a Founder boy. They discover Comstock obtained Elizabeth from another reality, killed his wife and the Luteces, and used a Siphon to control her powers.

Reader's Guide

The player controls Booker DeWitt, who fights enemies using weapons, Vigors (superpowers requiring Salt), and melee attacks on the Sky-Line rail system. Elizabeth assists by tossing items, opening Tears for environmental advantages, and picking locks. The game features four difficulty levels, with "1999 Mode" unlocked after beating a lower level or entering the Konami Code; this mode removes aim assist and makes death more punishing. Players collect Gear for passive abilities and Infusions to upgrade health, shield, or Salt meters. Vending machines sell supplies and upgrades, while Voxophones and Kinetoscopes provide lore. The conflict involves Founders and Vox Populi infantry as well as Heavy Hitter mini-bosses. Booker can use the Sky-Line hook for movement and executions.

Did You Know?

• Columbia was funded by the United States government as a floating world's fair in the 1890s before seceding.
• The game is set in July 1912, exactly 25 years after the city's founding events at the turn of the century.
• Elizabeth can open "Tears" to bring in items like medical kits or environmental pieces such as ledges.
• The hardest difficulty, "1999 Mode," is unlocked by beating a lower difficulty or inputting the Konami Code.
• Songbird serves as both Elizabeth's friend and warden, acting as a large robotic bird-like creature.