Irrational Games, which developed the original BioShock and its successor BioShock Infinite -- two of the most successful and critically celebrated games of their generation -- will be closing after 17 years so Levine can focus on a "smaller, more entrepreneurial endeavor at Take-Two."
Irrational parent company 2K Games, itself a subsidiary of publisher Take-Two Interactive, will be laying off all but 15 members of the team. Levine has chosen to hand over the BioShock series to 2K for further development, as was the case when 2K developed and released the BioShock sequel in 2010 without Levine's involvement. Levine stressed his studio's commitment to taking care of its laid-off employees.
