Nearly three years have passed since Ken Levine first presented a glimpse of Judas, his eagerly awaited game following BioShock Infinite. While many players have observed visual resemblances between Judas and the BioShock series, Levine contends that this new title represents his “biggest radical departure” since the original BioShock.
During an appearance on MrMattyPlays` YouTube channel, Levine clarified: “While certain elements of Judas bear similarities to BioShock, other aspects are profoundly different.” He noted the familiar combat setup of a weapon in one hand and powers in the other, along with an unrevealed hacking mechanic. However, he emphasized that the fundamental mechanics of the game, including how its world is populated, and the player’s ability to navigate complex relationships, introduce entirely new gameplay experiences. “The artistic direction of the world, the dynamic nature of encounters, and how players forge their paths within the game—these are all drastically distinct,” Levine explained. “This is likely the most significant shift we`ve undertaken since my work on BioShock.”
The game centers on its protagonist, Judas, who finds herself stranded aboard a generational spaceship named the Mayflower. This vessel carries humanity`s last survivors, and their ultimate fate is intrinsically linked to three powerful individuals on the ship, and Judas`s crucial decisions to either ally with or antagonize them.
Levine described his innovative story engine as “narrative Legos,” a system that can dynamically place key events at different points in the narrative based on the player`s choices. He also expressed a design philosophy of “placing trust in your audience,” acknowledging that players might naturally “miss stuff” depending on the specific narrative path they choose.
Earlier this summer, Levine reaffirmed Judas’s commitment to delivering a dedicated single-player experience, intentionally avoiding live-service components and other prevalent gaming industry trends. He previously showcased how players will build friendships and rivalries with the game`s three central characters.
Currently, Judas does not have an official release date.