Bioshock Dev 'Horrified' 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." In a recent interview, Levine revealed that the studio's shutdown, while following his departure, came as a surprise to most of the team. He had hoped Irrational would continue, despite his own exit, 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. 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 Interactive. Levine attributes his decision to leave to personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, acknowledging, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." He strived to ensure a smooth transition for the team, providing support packages to mitigate the impact of the layoffs.

The legacy of Irrational Games, known for titles like System Shock 2 and BioShock Infinite, continues to resonate. Levine suggests that Irrational could have successfully handled a BioShock remake, stating, “That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around.”

With BioShock 4 on the horizon, developed by Cloud Chamber Studios, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter. Speculation points towards an open-world setting, while maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective. The game's development, announced five years ago, continues, with a release date yet to be confirmed. The anticipation builds, with many hoping BioShock 4 will incorporate lessons learned from the experiences surrounding BioShock Infinite's release and the subsequent closure of Irrational Games.