Summary
BioShock Infinitedirector Ken Levine has opened up about the past closure of Irrational Games under Take-Two Interactive and provided a retrospective retelling of the studio’s termination that came as a shock to most. Ken Levine was the creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, alongside former Looking Glass Studios employees Jonathan Chey and Robert Fermier, and he led the creation of the popularBioShockseries, including the original 2007 entry, 2013’sBioShock Infinite, and the subsequentBioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea.
Levine announced in 2014 that Irrational Games would be closing, following the release ofBioShock Infinite, and the studio was later rebranded as Ghost Story Games in 2017 while still operating as a Take-Two subsidiary. Sadly, the video games industry has endured a harrowing few years due to mass lay-offs, includingRiot Games’ downsizing of itsLeague of Legendsteamand Ubisoft’s lay-offs across its US offices last year, to name but a few.
In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (viaPC Gamer), Levine addressed the closure of Irrational and described the decision as “complicated.” The director opened up about his private struggles during the development ofInfinite, which inevitably led to Levine’s desired departure from Irrational, but he wanted the studio to continue despite his absence. “I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company.” Levine stated, confirming that the studio’s shutter came as a shock to most involved. Irrational Games was best known forSystem Shock 2’s contribution to thebest horror RPGgenre, alongside its fame withBioShock Infinite, but the unforeseen pressures in Levine’s personal affairs duringInfinite’s development caused him to step down. “I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader,” Levine explained.
BioShock Infinite’s Ken Levine Explains Why Irrational Games' Closure Came as a Shock
BioShock Infinitemay be one of themost depressing and sad games, but its flavor made an impact on gamers. On the back of its success, Levine thought, in retrospect, that Take-Two could have allowed Irrational to work on theBioShockremake, saying “That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around.” Carrying so much respect for the Irrational team, Levine tried to orchestrate “the least painful lay-off we could possibly do,” where transition packages and continued support were offered despite the unfortunate circumstance.
Fans of the steampunk series have something prominent to look forward to in the future thanks to the announcement of the next main entry, and many believeBioShock 4can learn fromBioShock Infinite’s discourse. Even thoughBioShock 4was announced five years ago, an official release date is yet to be determined while 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue developing. Fans speculate the upcoming game could be set in an open world while the new installment retains the first-person perspective of its predecessors.
BioShock Infinite
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Indebted to the wrong people, with his life on the line, veteran of the U.S. Cavalry and now hired gun, Booker DeWitt has only one opportunity to wipe his slate clean. He must rescue Elizabeth, a mysterious girl imprisoned since childhood and locked up in the flying city of Columbia. Forced to trust one another, Booker and Elizabeth form a powerful bond during their daring escape. Together, they learn to harness an expanding arsenal of weapons and abilities, as they fight on zeppelins in the clouds, along high-speed Sky-Lines, and down in the streets of Columbia, all while surviving the threats of the air-city and uncovering its dark secret.
