Bioshock Pioneer Stunned by Irrational's Demise

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 shuttering came as a surprise, 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 critically acclaimed BioShock franchise. In 2014, following BioShock Infinite's release, he announced the studio's closure. Irrational Games was later rebranded as Ghost Story Games in 2017, remaining a Take-Two subsidiary.

In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Irrational's demise. He acknowledged personal challenges during BioShock Infinite's development, leading to his own departure but with the hope that the studio would continue. He aimed for a "least painful lay-off," providing transition support for the team. The closure, however, was unforeseen by most.

Levine expresses hindsight, suggesting that Irrational could have undertaken a BioShock remake, a project he believes would have been a suitable undertaking for the studio.

Anticipation for BioShock 4 is high. While an official release date remains elusive, fan speculation points towards an open-world setting, potentially incorporating lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development and reception. The game is currently under development at 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios.