Irrational Games Closure: Bioshock Creator's Surprise

Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated." He reveals that the studio's shutdown, while he anticipated its continuation, surprised most of the team, 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. The studio's closure in 2014, after the release of BioShock Infinite, and subsequent rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017, followed a period of personal challenges for Levine during Infinite's development. He admits, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." This closure contrasts sharply with the industry's recent struggles with layoffs at companies like Riot Games and Ubisoft.

In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine discussed his efforts to make the layoffs as smooth as possible, providing transition packages and support for the team. He also expressed his belief that Irrational could have successfully handled 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, speculation points towards an open-world setting, retaining the first-person perspective of previous titles. Fans hope the developers at 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios will learn from the experiences surrounding BioShock Infinite's release.