Bioshock Creator Stunned by Irrational Closure

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 came as a surprise, stating, "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company." This unexpected closure impacted many within the studio.

Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, spearheaded the development of the BioShock franchise, including the original title, BioShock Infinite, and its DLC. He announced Irrational's closure in 2014 after BioShock Infinite's release, with the studio later rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two Interactive.

In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (via PC Gamer), Levine detailed his personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, leading to his desire to depart from Irrational. Despite this, he hoped the studio would continue. He emphasizes his efforts to ensure a smooth transition for the team, stating, "I tried to orchestrate ‘the least painful lay-off we could possibly do,’" providing transition packages and support.

The anticipation for BioShock 4 is high, with speculation that the game may feature an open-world setting, while retaining the first-person perspective of its predecessors. Fans hope lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development and release will inform the creation of the next installment. While announced five years ago, an official release date remains elusive as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Levine even suggests that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for Irrational to undertake.