[Update] Added the first three released screenshots for Bioshock Infinite. [End of Update]

Irrational Games’ next title has been revealed to be a game called Bioshock Infinite, a first-person shooter set in 1912 which takes players to Columbia, an immense city suspended in the sky.

The floating city was originally created as a symbol of American ideals at a key time in the history of the United States, and just as the country was emerging as a world power. Columbia was sent to foreign countries to display the might of America and to awe onlookers around the world, but the venture went terribly awry and the city disappeared into the clouds, heading for an unknown destination

Meanwhile, Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent, has been sent to find and rescue a young woman named Elizabeth who has been imprisoned in the city of Columbia since childhood.

The pair develop a bond, and DeWitt is able to enhance his own abilities with the help of Elizabeth in the hope of escaping the city – a city on the verge of destruction, and literally falling from the sky.

During the adventure, DeWitt will battle enemies in high-speed Sky-Line battles, engage in both indoor combat and conflicts in the clouds, and make use of the dozens of weapons and abilities he finds along the way.

Watch the awesome debut trailer for Bioshock Infinite below:

Bioshock Infinite – Debut Trailer

Bioshock Infinite is due for release in 2012 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Be sure to read through a few great interviews with developers at Irrational Games, including Ken Levine, to find out more about Bioshock Infinite over on the PlayStation Blog, Gamasutra and Eurogamer.