Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated." He reveals that the studio's shutdown, while he anticipated its continuation, came as a surprise to most, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company."
Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, led the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after BioShock Infinite's release, and subsequent rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017, occurred amidst a challenging period for the video game industry marked by significant layoffs.
In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine discussed the personal struggles he faced during BioShock Infinite's development, leading to his departure. He emphasizes that despite his own need to step back ("I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader"), he hoped Irrational would continue. He aimed to minimize the impact of the layoffs, providing transition support for the team. Levine even suggests that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for the studio to undertake.
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, the game's release date remains unconfirmed as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Speculation points towards a potential open-world setting, while maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective.
