Ken Levine, the creator of BioShock, shared new details about his upcoming game, Judas. In a lengthy interview with Lawrence Sonntag of Nightdive, Levine characterized Judas as an “old-school” type of game, stating it deliberately avoids modern trends such as online modes and live services.
He explained, “When you purchase the game, you receive the complete experience. There are no online elements or live services, as our entire focus is on serving the narrative and immersing the player.”
Levine clarified he wasn`t criticizing developers who create such games, acknowledging the high costs and the need for companies to recoup their investment. Regarding his own studio, Ghost Story Games, Levine expressed gratitude that Take-Two, the parent company, grants them creative independence. He quoted Take-Two as saying, “`Okay, you`ve been working on this project for a considerable period, it will require a significant budget, and we won`t pressure you with any of those [modern trends] on it.`”
He also pointed to recent market successes among games lacking live service or major online features, specifically naming Baldur`s Gate 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Levine commented, “`These are genuinely traditional single-player experiences without that type of monetization. I believe players appreciate these games, particularly in the AAA market, because they can become very expensive, leading people to seek alternative monetization models.` He added, `I`m simply thankful we have the freedom to avoid that, as it lets us design the game purely with the player`s experience in mind.`”
Although Judas was announced several years ago, it still lacks a confirmed release date or even a release window. Development is underway for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
This marks Levine`s first major game since BioShock Infinite, released in 2013. A 2022 Bloomberg report indicated that Judas was initially planned for a 2017 launch but has faced significant delays, often described as being in `development hell.` The report suggested that while Levine was granted ample time and creative liberty, this “lack of oversight initially felt ideal” but ultimately proved “harmful,” according to developers.
Mike Snight, who previously collaborated with Levine at Irrational Games and later joined Ghost Story, described Levine as a “very challenging person to work for.” Snight and approximately half of the initial Judas development team reportedly departed the studio during its production. Levine allegedly told staff that Take-Two`s investment in Ghost Story was merely a “rounding error” for the company known for Grand Theft Auto. Analyst Michael Pachter commented that he expects Take-Two to continue providing Levine with necessary development time.
Regarding the BioShock franchise itself, Take-Two`s 2K label is developing a new installment at Cloud Chamber. Ken Levine has no involvement in this project, and its release date remains unannounced.