Bioshock Creator Was Shocked by Irrational Games 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 with Edge Magazine, Levine revealed that the studio's shutdown surprised most of its employees, 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, acknowledges personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development contributed to his decision to leave. He explains, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Despite the closure, he strived to ensure a smooth transition for his team, aiming for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do," providing transition packages and ongoing support.

The legacy of Irrational Games, known for titles like System Shock 2 and BioShock Infinite, continues to resonate. Levine suggests that a BioShock remake would have been a fitting project for the studio.

Anticipation for BioShock 4 is high, with fans speculating about an open-world setting while retaining the first-person perspective of previous games. The game's development, under 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios, is ongoing, with no official release date yet announced. The experience of BioShock Infinite's release is expected to inform the development of the upcoming installment.