by Carla Hodge
Sad news today as Ken Levine announced that the studio responsible for the BioShock series will be significantly reducing its workforce, and concentrating on 'narrative-driven games for the core gamer'. Irrational is due to be closed down, in its current form, after the last Infinite DLC is released.
In a statement on the Irrational website, Levine paid tribute to the 'some of the best game developers in the world', and admitted whilst there was 'no great way to lay people off', his passion had turned to 'making a different kind of game'. There's no indication as yet what the new material might be, but it will only be distributed digitally and will be published by Take-Two Interactive, who also published BioShock Infinite and its associated DLC. The closing of the studio won't mean the end of the BioShock universe as 2K are taking over the IP.
Sad news today as Ken Levine announced that the studio responsible for the BioShock series will be significantly reducing its workforce, and concentrating on 'narrative-driven games for the core gamer'. Irrational is due to be closed down, in its current form, after the last Infinite DLC is released.
In a statement on the Irrational website, Levine paid tribute to the 'some of the best game developers in the world', and admitted whilst there was 'no great way to lay people off', his passion had turned to 'making a different kind of game'. There's no indication as yet what the new material might be, but it will only be distributed digitally and will be published by Take-Two Interactive, who also published BioShock Infinite and its associated DLC. The closing of the studio won't mean the end of the BioShock universe as 2K are taking over the IP.
For staff being laid off, Irrational will be putting on a recruiting day with third party studios. Oculus, Bethesda, and Naughty Dog are amongst the many studios who have reached out on Twitter to extend best wishes and hiring opportunities, and there's also a Google Doc circulating with information for anyone now looking for work.
Irrational Games was founded in 1997 by Levine, Jonathan Chey, and Robert Fermier, and started an illustrious development career by releasing the slightly trippy System Shock 2 on PC. Ten years later, the studio unleashed BioShock on the world soon after being acquired by Take Two Interactive, and suddenly everyone knew all about art deco styling, Randian philosophy, and how to weave sophisticated narrative into the FPS genre. Their next entry in the BioShock world was the bright and endearing Infinite, which introduced gamers to the charm of Booker and Elizabeth. Two additional DLC episodes have been released so far, with the final episode being scheduled for release on 25th March.
Irrational Games was founded in 1997 by Levine, Jonathan Chey, and Robert Fermier, and started an illustrious development career by releasing the slightly trippy System Shock 2 on PC. Ten years later, the studio unleashed BioShock on the world soon after being acquired by Take Two Interactive, and suddenly everyone knew all about art deco styling, Randian philosophy, and how to weave sophisticated narrative into the FPS genre. Their next entry in the BioShock world was the bright and endearing Infinite, which introduced gamers to the charm of Booker and Elizabeth. Two additional DLC episodes have been released so far, with the final episode being scheduled for release on 25th March.
RSS Feed
