"Bioshock Creator Stunned by Irrational Games Shutdown"

Summary

• Ken Levine reflects on the closure of Irrational Games after the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated."
• Levine was surprised by the studio's closure, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company."
• Anticipation grows for BioShock 4, with rumors suggesting it may feature an open-world setting, as fans hope it will incorporate lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's release.

Ken Levine, the director of BioShock Infinite and co-founder of Irrational Games, has shared insights into the studio's closure following the release of BioShock Infinite. In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine described the decision to shutter Irrational Games as "complicated." The studio, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, was best known for its contributions to the horror RPG genre with System Shock 2 and the acclaimed BioShock series, which includes the original 2007 BioShock, 2013's BioShock Infinite, and the subsequent BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea.

In 2014, Levine announced the closure of Irrational Games, a move that came as a shock to many, including Levine himself. Despite his struggles during the development of BioShock Infinite, Levine had hoped the studio would continue without him. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated, reflecting on the unexpected end of the studio. The closure was part of a broader trend of layoffs in the video game industry, exemplified by recent downsizing at Riot Games and Ubisoft.

Levine expressed his respect for the Irrational team, attempting to mitigate the impact of the closure by offering transition packages and continued support. He also suggested that a BioShock remake could have been a suitable project for the studio, saying, "That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around."

As fans eagerly await the next installment in the series, BioShock 4, there is speculation that it may feature an open-world setting while retaining the first-person perspective of its predecessors. Announced five years ago, the game is still in development by 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios, with no official release date yet announced. Fans hope that BioShock 4 will draw valuable lessons from the reception and discourse surrounding BioShock Infinite.