Bioshock Creator Surprised by Irrational Games Shutdown

Summary

• Ken Levine reflects on the "complicated" closure of Irrational Games after the success of BioShock Infinite, a decision that shocked most involved.
• Levine believed the studio would continue without him, but as he stated, "it wasn’t my company," indicating his lack of control over the decision.
• Anticipation grows for BioShock 4, rumored to feature an open-world setting, with hopes that it will incorporate lessons from BioShock Infinite's release.

Ken Levine, the creative force behind BioShock Infinite, has shed light on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games, a studio he co-founded with former Looking Glass Studios colleagues Jonathan Chey and Robert Fermier. The studio, known for its contributions to the horror RPG genre with titles like System Shock 2 and the acclaimed BioShock series, including the 2007 original and 2013's BioShock Infinite, faced an abrupt end in 2014.

In a recent interview with Edge Magazine, as reported by PC Gamer, Levine described the decision to close Irrational Games as "complicated." He revealed personal struggles during the development of BioShock Infinite that influenced his desire to leave the studio, although he hoped it would continue operating. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," Levine stated, highlighting his surprise at the studio's closure. The emotional toll of Infinite's development led Levine to admit, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader."

Following the closure, Irrational Games was rebranded as Ghost Story Games in 2017, still under the umbrella of Take-Two Interactive. This period marked a challenging time for the video game industry, with widespread layoffs affecting companies like Riot Games and Ubisoft.

Levine reflected on the potential for Irrational to have continued with a BioShock remake, suggesting it could have been a fitting project for the team. Despite the closure, Levine aimed to mitigate the impact on his team by offering transition packages and continued support.

As fans eagerly await the next installment in the BioShock series, BioShock 4, anticipation builds around its potential features. Announced five years ago by 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios, details remain scarce, but speculation suggests an open-world setting while maintaining the first-person perspective of previous entries. The community hopes that BioShock 4 will learn from the discourse surrounding BioShock Infinite, enhancing the series' legacy.