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, which occurred after his departure, came as a surprise to most, including himself. 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 acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after BioShock Infinite's release, and subsequent rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017, followed a period of personal challenges for Levine during Infinite's development. He acknowledges his inability to effectively lead during that time, stating, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader."
In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine also expressed his belief that Irrational could have successfully tackled a BioShock remake, a project he feels would have been a suitable undertaking for the studio. He strived to ensure a smooth transition for his former colleagues, prioritizing compassionate layoffs with comprehensive support packages.
The anticipation for BioShock 4 remains high. While an official release date is yet to be announced, speculation abounds, with many fans hoping the game will incorporate lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development and potentially feature an open-world setting, while retaining the series' signature first-person perspective.
