Irrational Games: Difference between revisions

Irrational Games
Formerly	Irrational Games; (1997–2007); 2K Boston; (2007–2009);
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Video games
Founded	1997; 27 years ago
Founder	Ken Levine; Jonathan Chey; Robert Fermier;
Defunct	February 23, 2017
Fate	Rebranded
Successor	Ghost Story Games
Headquarters	Westwood, Massachusetts, U.S.
Key people	Ken Levine (creative director)
Number of employees	15 (2014)
Parent	2K (2006–2017)

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Irrational Games (known as 2K Boston between 2007 and 2009) was an American video game developer founded in 1997 by three former employees of Looking Glass Studios: Ken Levine, Jonathan Chey, and Robert Fermier. Take-Two Interactive acquired the studio in 2006. The studio was known for its games System Shock 2, Freedom Force, SWAT 4, and most notably, two of the games in the BioShock series. In 2014, following the release of BioShock Infinite, Levine opted to significantly restructure the studio from around 90 to 15 employees and focus more on narrative games. In February 2017, the studio announced that it had been rebranded as Ghost Story Games and considered a fresh start from the original Irrational name, though still operating at the same business subsidiary under Take-Two.

History

1997 – Irrational Games studio formed by former Looking Glass Studios employees Ken Levine, Jonathan Chey, and Robert Fermier.^[1]
1999 – System Shock 2 released to critical acclaim.
2000 – "Irrational Games Australia" studio is opened in Canberra, with Jonathan Chey taking the helm. Deep Cover is cancelled.
2002 – Legal issues with publisher Crave Entertainment result in the development of The Lost being halted.
2004 – Irrational designers Ed Orman and Dean Tate awarded "Best Design" in the Australian Game Developer Awards, as well as the studio receiving "Best Game of 2004" and "Best PC Game".^[2]
2005 – Irrational's Boston studio moves to larger office space in Quincy, Massachusetts. The studio retains the "Irrational Games Boston" title.
2006 – Irrational is acquired by Take-Two Interactive, under the 2K publishing arm.^[3]
2007 – Irrational Games is renamed to 2K Boston and 2K Australia on August 10.^[4] BioShock released August 21 to wide critical acclaim and strong sales.
2010 – 2K Boston announces its return to its original name, "Irrational Games" on January 8.^[5]
2013 - Irrational Games releases BioShock Infinite on 26 March to critical acclaim, selling 11 million copies as of May 2015.
2017 - Irrational Games is renamed "Ghost Story Games" on 24 February.

Shortly after BioShock was released, rumors arose that many of the staff who had worked on the game were leaving 2K Boston/Australia. In 2007, five members of the 2K Boston team moved to a new 2K studio in Novato, California.^[6] Soon after, 2K announced the formation of 2K Marin in Novato.^[7]

In late July 2010, several media outlets reported that a recently created website, whatisicarus.com, was a promotion relating to Irrational Games' unannounced project. The following week, information about the game was again teased, with the trailer confirmed for release on August 12, 2010.^[8] This was eventually revealed to be BioShock Infinite.

Before Irrational started development on BioShock Infinite, the studio did preliminary work for the XCOM project that later became The Bureau: XCOM Declassified.^[9]

Restructuring and rebranding

On February 18, 2014, Levine announced that the vast majority of the Irrational Games studio staff would be laid off, with all but fifteen members of the staff losing their positions. Levine said that he wanted to start "a smaller, more entrepreneurial endeavor at Take-Two," speaking to how much stress completing a large game like BioShock: Infinite had caused him.^[10] Levine said, "I need to refocus my energy on a smaller team with a flatter structure and a more direct relationship with gamers. In many ways, it will be a return to how we started: a small team making games for the core gaming audience."^[10] Levine had considered starting a new development studio for this, knowing that building the ideas would take several years before any game product would be made. Still, Take-Two offered to let him keep the division within Take-Two, with Levine saying that they told him, "there was no better place to pursue this new chapter than within their walls."^[10] The studio helped to find positions for the displaced employees, and 2K hosted a career day for the remaining 75 employees to help seek employment at 57 other studios.^[10]^[11]

Levine and the 15 remaining members of the team began the process of creating new, smaller games focusing on a replayable narrative for the core gamers. It was said that Levine's studio would continue to keep the Irrational name, although Take-Two later stated that it was not true.^[12] From 2014 to 2015, Irrational Games continued to post several openings for jobs at the studio.^[13]^[14]^[15] In January 2015, Levine and the remaining staff are currently developing their first game which will be a "first-person sci-fi" game.^[16]

On February 23, 2017, the studio announced it had rebranded itself as Ghost Story Games, founded by 12 of the former Irrational members with Levine continuing as president and creative director.^[17] The studio's focus is "to create immersive, story-driven games for people who love games that ask something of them";^[17] the name was chosen as ghost stories "are immersive, exciting, and steeped in community", similar to the studio's design philosophies.^[18] As of this point, the studio had about 25 employees.^[19]

Games developed

As Irrational Games


Year	Title	Platform(s)	Publisher	Notes
1999	System Shock 2	Microsoft Windows	Electronic Arts
2002	Freedom Force	Microsoft Windows	Crave Entertainment
2004	Tribes: Vengeance	Microsoft Windows	Sierra Entertainment	Assisted Irrational Games Canberra
2005	Freedom Force vs the 3rd Reich	Microsoft Windows	Vivendi Universal Games	Assisted Irrational Games Canberra
2005	SWAT 4	Microsoft Windows	Sierra Entertainment
2006	SWAT 4: The Stetchkov Syndicate	Microsoft Windows	Sierra Entertainment
2013	BioShock Infinite	Microsoft Windows	2K Games
		PlayStation 3
		Xbox 360
	BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode One	Microsoft Windows
		PlayStation 3
		Xbox 360
2014	BioShock Infinite: Burial at Sea - Episode Two	Microsoft Windows
		PlayStation 3
		Xbox 360

As 2K Boston

Year	Title	Platform(s)	Publisher
2007	BioShock	Microsoft Windows	2K Games
2007		Xbox 360
2008		PlayStation 3

Cancelled video games

Deep Cover
Division 9
Monster Island
The Lost
Freedom Force 3
Untitled BioShock game for PlayStation Vita

References

^ Keefer, John (March 31, 2006). "GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 5 of 19". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.
^ "The Australian Game Developers Conference". www.agdc.com.au. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
^ Jenkins, David (January 9, 2006). "Take-Two Acquires Irrational Games". Gamasutra. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
^ "Irrational Games Renamed 2K Boston and 2K Australia". Business Wire. August 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
^ "The Return Of Irrational Games". Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
^ "Q&A: Ken Levine talks BioShock, reminisces about X-Com". GameSpot. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
^ "Take-Two confirms 2K Marin". GameSpot. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
^ Totilo, Stephen. "BioShock Creators' Next Game Debuts Next Week, Trailer On Aug. 12". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
^ Plante, Chris (March 6, 2014). "The final years of Irrational Games, according to those who were there". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Makuch, Eddie (February 18, 2014). "BioShock creator Irrational Games is shutting down". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ "Irrational Games closure led to 75 layoffs, job fair hosted 57 studios". Polygon. February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
^ Morris, Chris (May 14, 2014). "Take-Two CEO open to buying more studios". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
^ Gera, Emily (November 24, 2014). "BioShock developer Irrational Games is hiring again". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
^ Tach, Dave (May 6, 2015). "BioShock creator Irrational Games continues to hire for its mystery project". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
^ Frank, Allegra (December 11, 2015). "Irrational Games hiring for 'narrative first-person shooter' project". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
^ Phillips, Tom (January 28, 2015). "BioShock creator Ken Levine teases new first-person sci-fi project". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Pereira, Chris (February 23, 2017). "Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ Hall, Charlie (February 23, 2017). "Irrational is now called Ghost Story Games". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
^ Chalk, Andy (February 23, 2017). "Irrational Games is gone—say hello to Ghost Story". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

External links

Official website

[1] Keefer, John (March 31, 2006). "GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins, Page 5 of 19". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.

[2] "The Australian Game Developers Conference". www.agdc.com.au. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.

[3] Jenkins, David (January 9, 2006). "Take-Two Acquires Irrational Games". Gamasutra. Retrieved May 20, 2019.

[namechange-4] "Irrational Games Renamed 2K Boston and 2K Australia". Business Wire. August 10, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2010.

[5] "The Return Of Irrational Games". Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2010.

[levineinterview-6] "Q&A: Ken Levine talks BioShock, reminisces about X-Com". GameSpot. March 20, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2009.

[2kmarin-7] "Take-Two confirms 2K Marin". GameSpot. December 17, 2007. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2009.

[8] Totilo, Stephen. "BioShock Creators' Next Game Debuts Next Week, Trailer On Aug. 12". Kotaku. Archived from the original on August 5, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2010.

[polygon1-9] Plante, Chris (March 6, 2014). "The final years of Irrational Games, according to those who were there". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2014.

[gamespot_shutdown-10] Makuch, Eddie (February 18, 2014). "BioShock creator Irrational Games is shutting down". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[11] "Irrational Games closure led to 75 layoffs, job fair hosted 57 studios". Polygon. February 28, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2014.

[12] Morris, Chris (May 14, 2014). "Take-Two CEO open to buying more studios". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.

[13] Gera, Emily (November 24, 2014). "BioShock developer Irrational Games is hiring again". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.

[14] Tach, Dave (May 6, 2015). "BioShock creator Irrational Games continues to hire for its mystery project". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.

[15] Frank, Allegra (December 11, 2015). "Irrational Games hiring for 'narrative first-person shooter' project". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.

[16] Phillips, Tom (January 28, 2015). "BioShock creator Ken Levine teases new first-person sci-fi project". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.

[gamespot_ghoststory-17] Pereira, Chris (February 23, 2017). "Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[18] Hall, Charlie (February 23, 2017). "Irrational is now called Ghost Story Games". Polygon. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

[19] Chalk, Andy (February 23, 2017). "Irrational Games is gone—say hello to Ghost Story". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.

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 On February 18, 2014, Levine announced that the vast majority of the Irrational Games studio staff would be laid off, with all but fifteen members of the staff losing their positions. Levine said that he wanted to start "a smaller, more entrepreneurial endeavor at Take-Two," speaking to how much stress completing a large game like ''BioShock: Infinite'' had caused him.<ref name="gamespot shutdown"/> Levine said, "I need to refocus my energy on a smaller team with a flatter structure and a more direct relationship with gamers. In many ways, it will be a return to how we started: a small team making games for the core gaming audience."<ref name="gamespot shutdown"/> Levine had considered starting a new development studio for this, knowing that building the ideas would take several years before any game product would be made. Still, Take-Two offered to let him keep the division within Take-Two, with Levine saying that they told him, "there was no better place to pursue this new chapter than within their walls."<ref name="gamespot shutdown">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-creator-irrational-games-is-shutting-down/1100-6417821/ | title = BioShock creator Irrational Games is shutting down | first = Eddie | last = Makuch | date = February 18, 2014 | accessdate = February 23, 2017 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170627074318/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bioshock-creator-irrational-games-is-shutting-down/1100-6417821/ | archive-date = June 27, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The studio helped to find positions for the displaced employees, and 2K hosted a career day for the remaining 75 employees to help seek employment at 57 other studios.<ref name="gamespot shutdown"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/28/5458470/irrational-games-closure-layoffs-75-job-fair-57-studios |title=Irrational Games closure led to 75 layoffs, job fair hosted 57 studios |date=February 28, 2014 |accessdate=April 15, 2014 |publisher=Polygon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415081133/http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/28/5458470/irrational-games-closure-layoffs-75-job-fair-57-studios |archive-date=April 15, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
-Levine and the 15 remaining members of the team began the process of creating new, smaller games focusing on a replayable narrative for the core gamers. It was said that Levine's studio would continue to keep the Irrational name, although Take-Two later stated that it was not true.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-14-take-two-ceo-open-to-buying-more-studios | title = Take-Two CEO open to buying more studios | first = Chris | last = Morris | date = May 14, 2014 | accessdate = May 14, 2014 | publisher = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140514220336/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-14-take-two-ceo-open-to-buying-more-studios | archive-date = May 14, 2014 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Through 2014 to 2015, Irrational Games continued to post several openings for jobs at the studio.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Emily |last=Gera |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/24/7274539/bioshock-developer-irrational-games-is-hiring-again |title=BioShock developer Irrational Games is hiring again |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=November 24, 2014 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424010137/http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/24/7274539/bioshock-developer-irrational-games-is-hiring-again |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Dave |last=Tach |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/6/8558865/irrational-games-hiring-senior-programmer |title=BioShock creator Irrational Games continues to hire for its mystery project |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=May 6, 2015 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424012627/http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/6/8558865/irrational-games-hiring-senior-programmer |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Allegra |last=Frank |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/11/9891652/irrational-games-new-game-fps-steam-bioshock |title=Irrational Games hiring for 'narrative first-person shooter' project |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=December 11, 2015 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419023950/http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/11/9891652/irrational-games-new-game-fps-steam-bioshock |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In January 2015, Levine and the remaining staff are currently developing their first game which will be a "first-person sci-fi" game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-28-ken-levine-teases-new-first-person-sci-fi-project | title = BioShock creator Ken Levine teases new first-person sci-fi project | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = January 28, 2015 | accessdate = May 28, 2015 | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150528074350/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-28-ken-levine-teases-new-first-person-sci-fi-project | archive-date = May 28, 2015 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
+Levine and the 15 remaining members of the team began the process of creating new, smaller games focusing on a replayable narrative for the core gamers. It was said that Levine's studio would continue to keep the Irrational name, although Take-Two later stated that it was not true.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-14-take-two-ceo-open-to-buying-more-studios | title = Take-Two CEO open to buying more studios | first = Chris | last = Morris | date = May 14, 2014 | accessdate = May 14, 2014 | publisher = [[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140514220336/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2014-05-14-take-two-ceo-open-to-buying-more-studios | archive-date = May 14, 2014 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> From 2014 to 2015, Irrational Games continued to post several openings for jobs at the studio.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Emily |last=Gera |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/24/7274539/bioshock-developer-irrational-games-is-hiring-again |title=BioShock developer Irrational Games is hiring again |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=November 24, 2014 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424010137/http://www.polygon.com/2014/11/24/7274539/bioshock-developer-irrational-games-is-hiring-again |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Dave |last=Tach |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/6/8558865/irrational-games-hiring-senior-programmer |title=BioShock creator Irrational Games continues to hire for its mystery project |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=May 6, 2015 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424012627/http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/6/8558865/irrational-games-hiring-senior-programmer |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |first=Allegra |last=Frank |url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/11/9891652/irrational-games-new-game-fps-steam-bioshock |title=Irrational Games hiring for 'narrative first-person shooter' project |publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=December 11, 2015 |accessdate=April 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419023950/http://www.polygon.com/2015/12/11/9891652/irrational-games-new-game-fps-steam-bioshock |archive-date=April 19, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In January 2015, Levine and the remaining staff are currently developing their first game which will be a "first-person sci-fi" game.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-28-ken-levine-teases-new-first-person-sci-fi-project | title = BioShock creator Ken Levine teases new first-person sci-fi project | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = January 28, 2015 | accessdate = May 28, 2015 | publisher = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150528074350/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-28-ken-levine-teases-new-first-person-sci-fi-project | archive-date = May 28, 2015 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>
 On February 23, 2017, the studio announced it had rebranded itself as Ghost Story Games, founded by 12 of the former Irrational members with Levine continuing as president and creative director.<ref name="gamespot ghoststory">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-bioshock-studio-irrational-games-adopts-a-n/1100-6448166/ | title = Former BioShock Studio Irrational Games Adopts A New Name | first = Chris | last = Pereira | date = February 23, 2017 | accessdate = February 23, 2017 | work = [[GameSpot]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170224174800/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/former-bioshock-studio-irrational-games-adopts-a-n/1100-6448166/ | archive-date = February 24, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The studio's focus is "to create immersive, story-driven games for people who love games that ask something of them";<ref name="gamespot ghoststory"/> the name was chosen as [[ghost story|ghost stories]] "are immersive, exciting, and steeped in community", similar to the studio's design philosophies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.polygon.com/2017/2/23/14717902/irrational-games-changes-name-ghost-story-games | title = Irrational is now called Ghost Story Games | first = Charlie | last = Hall | date = February 23, 2017 | accessdate = February 23, 2017 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170224104626/http://www.polygon.com/2017/2/23/14717902/irrational-games-changes-name-ghost-story-games | archive-date = February 24, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref> As of this point, the studio had about 25 employees.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pcgamer.com/irrational-games-is-gonesay-hello-to-ghost-story/ | title = Irrational Games is gone—say hello to Ghost Story | first = Andy | last = Chalk | date = February 23, 2017 | accessdate = February 23, 2017 | work = [[PC Gamer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170224011723/http://www.pcgamer.com/irrational-games-is-gonesay-hello-to-ghost-story/ | archive-date = February 24, 2017 | url-status = live | df = mdy-all }}</ref>

v t e Irrational Games
Ken Levine 2K Australia Ghost Story Games
BioShock series	BioShock (2007) BioShock Infinite (2013)
Freedom Force series	Freedom Force (2002) Freedom Force vs the 3rd Reich (2005)
Other games	System Shock 2 (co-developed) (1999) Tribes: Vengeance (2004) SWAT 4 (2005) The Lost (cancelled)

v t e BioShock
Irrational Games Ken Levine 2K Australia 2K Marin Cloud Chamber
Video games	BioShock BioShock 2 Minerva's Den BioShock Infinite Burial at Sea BioShock: The Collection (compilation)
Other media	BioShock: Rapture (novel)
Characters	Andrew Ryan Atlas Brigid Tenenbaum Elizabeth Lutece twins Sander Cohen
Related	Development of BioShock Infinite Rapture "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
Category