Renowned game designer Ken Levine has unveiled his vision for the upcoming title, Judas, emphasizing a return to traditional gaming values. In a recent discussion with Lawrence Sonntag from Nightdive, Levine described the game as “very old school,” highlighting that players will receive the complete experience without any online components or live services. This approach aims to focus entirely on storytelling and player immersion.
Levine, who is best known for his work on Bioshock Infinite, noted that the gaming landscape has shifted significantly since the release of the last Bioshock expansion in 2014. He expressed confidence that there remains a strong demand for self-contained, single-player narratives, despite the industry’s growing trend towards monetization strategies that prioritize continuous content updates and online features.
“Judas is a very old-school game,” Levine stated. “You buy the game and you get the whole thing. There’s no online component, there’s no live service, because everything we do is in service of telling the story and transporting the player somewhere.” He emphasized that the development team at Ghost Story Games enjoys the support of their parent company, 2K Games, allowing them to create a game that prioritizes the player’s experience.
While many developers feel pressured to incorporate monetization features into their games, Levine appreciates the freedom provided by 2K to focus solely on the narrative. He remarked, “I understand why it happens, right, and I don’t blame anyone for trying to make a living, but I just want to have an experience with a game where all it wants to do is entertain me, there’s no ulterior motive.”
Levine’s optimism reflects a broader trend in the industry, where successful single-player titles continue to emerge. He pointed to recent hits such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as evidence that audiences still appreciate traditional gaming experiences without heavy monetization. “These are games that are really traditional single-player games, and they don’t have that kind of monetization in them,” he noted.
The release of a new trailer for Judas in January 2024 hints at a gameplay experience deeply tied to player choices. Levine believes this focus on interactivity is the future of gaming, allowing players to shape their own narratives within the game world.
In parallel, the Bioshock franchise continues to thrive, with a fourth installment currently in development at Cloud Chamber. Although Levine is not directly involved, the project includes many key staff members from Irrational Games and 2K Marin, ensuring that the franchise’s legacy remains intact.
As the anticipation builds for both Judas and the new Bioshock title, Levine’s commitment to delivering a pure gaming experience, free from the distractions of modern monetization, resonates with many players longing for a return to simpler gaming values.
