Irrational Closure Shocks BioShock Creator

Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated." He reveals that while he anticipated the studio's continuation after his departure, the ultimate shutdown by Take-Two Interactive surprised most of the team. Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, spearheaded the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise.

The studio's closure in 2014, after the release of BioShock Infinite, was followed by its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two. This event 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 elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Irrational's demise. He acknowledged personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, leading to his decision to leave the studio. However, he hoped Irrational would continue, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company." He also admitted, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader."

Levine's retrospective also touches on the potential for Irrational to have handled the BioShock remake. He believes it would have been a fitting project for the studio. He further emphasizes his commitment to minimizing the impact of the layoffs, providing transition packages and support to affected employees.

Anticipation for BioShock 4 remains high. Though announced five years ago, a release date is still pending. Industry speculation points to a potential open-world setting, while maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective. Fans hope lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development will inform the creation of the next installment.