Bioshock Creator Was Shocked 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 surprised most of its employees, including himself. He had anticipated Irrational's continued operation, despite his own departure. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated.

Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, led the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after the release of BioShock Infinite, followed by its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017, marked a significant event in the gaming industry. This period also saw other major studios facing layoffs and restructuring.

The Edge Magazine interview (reported by PC Gamer) delved into Levine's personal challenges during BioShock Infinite's development, contributing to his decision to leave Irrational. He admitted, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Despite his departure, he aimed to minimize the impact on the team, striving for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do," including providing transition support.

Irrational Games, known for its contributions to the horror RPG genre with System Shock 2 and its work on BioShock Infinite, faced unforeseen circumstances. Levine even suggested that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for the studio to undertake post-Infinite.

With BioShock 4 on the horizon, speculation abounds. While an official release date remains elusive, fans anticipate the game, possibly set in an open world, will benefit from the lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development and reception. The first-person perspective, a hallmark of the series, is expected to continue.