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 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, the creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games, had overseen the development of the acclaimed BioShock series. He acknowledges personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's creation, impacting his leadership and contributing to his decision to leave. He aimed to minimize the impact on the team, striving for "the least painful lay-off we could possibly do," offering transition packages and support.
The closure of Irrational, known for its work on System Shock 2 and the BioShock franchise, contrasts with the anticipation surrounding BioShock 4. While the release date remains unconfirmed, speculation points towards an open-world setting, potentially incorporating lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's development and reception. Levine even suggests a BioShock remake might have been a suitable project for the studio to undertake. The industry's recent history of layoffs underscores the challenging environment faced by game developers.
