Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games after the success of BioShock Infinite, calling the decision "complicated." He reveals the studio's shutdown surprised most, including himself: "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company."
Irrational Games, co-founded by Levine, Chey, and Fermier, was renowned for titles like System Shock 2 and the BioShock franchise. Levine's personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development led to his departure, but he hoped the studio would persevere. He admits, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." The studio closed in 2014, later becoming Ghost Story Games in 2017 under Take-Two Interactive.
In a recent Edge Magazine interview (via PC Gamer), Levine discusses the closure, highlighting his efforts to make the layoffs as smooth as possible, including transition packages and ongoing support for employees. He even suggests a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for the studio to undertake.
The legacy of BioShock Infinite, despite its somber tone, continues to resonate with players. With BioShock 4 on the horizon, fans anticipate lessons learned from Infinite's development will shape the next installment. While details remain scarce, speculation points towards an open-world setting, maintaining the series' signature first-person perspective. The game, announced five years ago, is still under development at 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios, with no official release date yet confirmed.
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