Bioshock Creator Was Shocked by Irrational Games Closure

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, a surprise to most, occurred despite his belief that Irrational would continue operating under Take-Two Interactive. Levine, creative director and co-founder, led the development of the BioShock franchise, including the original game, BioShock Infinite, and its DLC.

The closure, announced in 2014, followed BioShock Infinite's release. Irrational Games was later rebranded as Ghost Story Games in 2017, remaining a Take-Two subsidiary. This event occurred amidst a period of industry upheaval marked by significant layoffs at various prominent studios.

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 a hope for the studio's continued existence. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated, highlighting the unforeseen nature of the closure for the team. He also admitted, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader," explaining his inability to effectively guide the studio during that difficult period. Irrational Games, renowned for System Shock 2 and BioShock Infinite, faced unforeseen pressures due to Levine's personal circumstances. Despite the difficult situation, Levine aimed to minimize the impact on employees by providing transition packages and ongoing support.

BioShock Infinite's Legacy and BioShock 4's Anticipation

BioShock Infinite, despite its melancholic tone, left a lasting mark on gamers. Levine believes Take-Two could have utilized Irrational's expertise on a BioShock remake, stating, “That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around.”

With BioShock 4 on the horizon, fans anticipate lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development. Though announced five years ago, a release date remains unconfirmed as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Speculation points to a potential open-world setting, while maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective.