Irrational Games Closure Stuns Bioshock Creator

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 came as a surprise to most, including himself. He had hoped Irrational would continue, despite his own departure, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company."

Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, led the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. He acknowledges personal challenges during BioShock Infinite's development contributed to his decision to leave, adding, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Despite this, he strived to ensure a smooth transition for the studio's employees, aiming for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do."

The closure of Irrational, known for its work on System Shock 2 and the BioShock series, is a stark reminder of the industry's challenges. Levine even suggests that Irrational could have successfully handled a BioShock remake, stating, "That would have been a good title for Irrational to get their head around."

With BioShock 4 on the horizon, developed by Cloud Chamber Studios, fans anticipate a new chapter in the franchise. Speculation points towards an open-world setting, while retaining the series' signature first-person perspective. The upcoming game has the potential to learn from the experiences and controversies surrounding BioShock Infinite's release.