Irrational Games' Closure: A Retrospective by Ken Levine
Ken Levine, creative director behind the acclaimed BioShock series, recently reflected on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite. In an interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine described the decision as "complicated," revealing that the studio's shuttering came as a surprise to most, including himself. While he intended to leave Irrational after BioShock Infinite's release, he anticipated the studio's continuation under Take-Two Interactive's ownership. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated.
Levine acknowledged personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, impacting his leadership abilities. "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader," he admitted. Despite the difficult circumstances, he strived to ensure a smooth transition for his team, prioritizing "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do," including comprehensive severance packages and ongoing support.
The closure of Irrational, known for its contributions to the horror RPG genre with System Shock 2 and the BioShock franchise, left a significant mark on the industry. Levine even suggested that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for the studio to undertake post-Infinite.
With the upcoming BioShock 4 currently in development at Cloud Chamber Studios, fans eagerly anticipate its release. Speculation abounds regarding an open-world setting, though maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective. The game's development, announced five years ago, continues, with no official release date yet confirmed. Many believe BioShock 4 will benefit from lessons learned from the development and release of BioShock Infinite.
