Bioshock Creator Stunned by Sudden Studio 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, he revealed that the studio's shutdown surprised most of its employees, including himself. While he had planned to leave Irrational, he expected the studio to continue operating. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," he stated.

Levine, the creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, spearheaded the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after the release of BioShock Infinite, was followed by its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two Interactive.

The interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer) delves into Levine's personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, impacting his leadership and ultimately contributing to his departure. He acknowledges his inability to effectively lead during this challenging period, stating, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Despite the circumstances, he aimed to minimize the impact on employees, striving for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do" by providing transition packages and ongoing support.

Looking back, Levine suggests that Irrational could have been tasked with a BioShock remake, believing it would have been a suitable project for the team. The anticipation for BioShock 4 remains high, with fans hoping the upcoming installment will learn from the experiences of BioShock Infinite's release. While announced five years ago, a release date remains unconfirmed as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Speculation points towards a potential open-world setting, while retaining the series' signature first-person perspective.