Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated." In a recent interview, Levine revealed that the studio's shuttering came as a surprise, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company." This unexpected outcome impacted many within Irrational.
Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, spearheaded the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise, including the original BioShock, BioShock Infinite, and its DLC, Burial at Sea. The studio's closure in 2014, after BioShock Infinite's launch, led to its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two Interactive.
Levine's interview with Edge Magazine (as reported by PC Gamer) delves into the personal challenges he faced during BioShock Infinite's development, ultimately prompting his departure from Irrational. Despite wanting the studio to continue, he acknowledges, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." The studio, renowned for System Shock 2 and BioShock Infinite, faced unforeseen pressures. Levine aimed to mitigate the impact of the closure, striving for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do," offering transition packages and ongoing support.
The anticipation for BioShock 4 is high, with fans hoping the developers will learn from the experiences surrounding BioShock Infinite's release. While announced five years ago, a release date remains unconfirmed as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Speculation points towards an open-world setting for BioShock 4, while retaining the series' signature first-person perspective. Levine even suggested that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for Irrational to undertake.
