Irrational Games' Closure: A Surprise Even for Ken Levine
Ken Levine, director of BioShock Infinite, recently reflected on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the game's success. He described the decision by Take-Two Interactive as "complicated," revealing that the studio's shutdown came as a shock to most, including himself. Despite his own intention to leave Irrational, Levine believed the studio would continue. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated.
Levine, co-founder and creative director of Irrational Games, spearheaded the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after the release of BioShock Infinite, led to its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two. This event occurred amidst a challenging period for the video game industry, marked by significant layoffs at various prominent companies.
In an interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine elaborated on the circumstances surrounding Irrational's demise. He acknowledged personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development that contributed to his decision to depart. However, he emphasized his desire for the studio's continued operation. He explained, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Despite the closure, Levine strived to ensure a smooth transition for his team, providing generous severance packages and support.
Looking back, Levine believes Take-Two could have leveraged Irrational's expertise on a BioShock remake, stating, "That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around."
The anticipation for BioShock 4 remains high. While an official release date is still pending, fans speculate that the game, currently under development by 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios, might feature an open-world setting, retaining the first-person perspective established by its predecessors. Many believe BioShock 4 will benefit from lessons learned from the development and release of BioShock Infinite.
