Bioshock Infinite

[zenith16]

this was put up from Joystiq

'Irrational Jobs' career outreach forms in the wake of BioShock dev layoffs

(5 hours ago)
9

​

Immediately following todays' announcement that Irrational Games is winding down to just 15 employees, the hashtag "#IrrationalJobs" sprung up on Twitter to assist developers in finding new jobs. A similar, immediate outreach happened in the wake of 38 Studios' closure in May 2012.

While the hashtag is currently in its infancy, it's accompanied by a link to a Google Doc full of opportunities for the studio's exiting developers. As Irrational Games Co-Founder Ken Levine noted in today's announcement, third-party developers and publishers should email [email protected] directly with any interest in interviewing the departing employees.

With any luck, the social media outreach, Irrational Games-hosted recruiting day and third-party developer interest will provide the BioShock developer's outgoing staff with enough opportunities to make their transitions seamless.

 

[hippie_hunter]

It feels kinda selfish of Levine to do this.

 

[zenith16]

It feels kinda selfish of Levine to do this.

well I think what happening here is that with most triple A titles things most studio's are having trouble staying a float. well I've been hearing about this in a lot of pod cast's and interviews.

right now Levine just put all the focus and blame on him self. but this maybe a issue of expense and he couldn't keep the studio with as many people of 200 as he wanted . Most people as soon a project is done they do get lay off even the recent project with Ryan payton of metal gear solid 4 that did Republique had to let people go after their project was done.

as he said here
http://epdaily.tv/all/spotlight/ep-live-with-camoflaj-games-ryan-payton/
Just not as many as this. it's a fact of life with in the video game industry and it's kinda why most of them are all contract workers. I 'm not really making an excuse's for this , just looking at it on what happening and it's possible that stuff isn't going well on them making money.

 

[hippie_hunter]

well I think what happening here is that with most triple A titles things most studio's are having trouble staying a float. well I've been hearing about this in a lot of pod cast's and interviews.

right now Levine just put all the focus and blame on him self. but this maybe a issue of expense and he couldn't keep the studio with as many people of 200 as he wanted . Most people as soon a project is done they do get lay off even the recent project with Ryan payton of metal gear solid 4 that did Republique had to let people go after their project was done.

as he said here
http://epdaily.tv/all/spotlight/infiltrating-republique-with-ryan-payton/
Just not as many as this. it's a fact of life with in the video game industry and it's kinda why most of them are all contract workers. I 'm not really making an excuse's for this , just looking at it on what happening and it's possible that stuff isn't going well on them making money.

But in the case of Irrational, that's a load of bull. The studio was owned by 2K Games and with the financial and critical success of Bioshock, the studio wasn't hurting. Instead of closing Irrational, Levine and the 15 people joining him should have just formed their own new studio, as opposed to closing Irrational and forcing over 100 people to find new jobs. These people were perfectly able to continue working on future Bioshock installations.

When Jason West and Vince Zampella left Infinity Ward, they didn't shut down the studio and force 100 people to find new jobs, they took those who wanted to go, formed a new studio, and Activision refilled the ranks they emptied. When Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk left BioWare, they didn't close down the studio and force 800 people to find new jobs. Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin didn't shut down Naughty Dog when they left, they let the studio become better than ever.

There was no good reason to just shut down Irrational just so Levine can make different kinds of games. He could have done what so many other people have done, just form a new studio that has new goals while everyone else can still keep their damn jobs.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Do we even know this was his decision to close the studio? Does he have that kind of authority where he can just close entire studios, that as you point out really belong to 2K, at will? I doubt that would ever have happened without 2k's express say so.

 

[zenith16]

But in the case of Irrational, that's a load of bull. The studio was owned by 2K Games and with the financial and critical success of Bioshock, the studio wasn't hurting. Instead of closing Irrational, Levine and the 15 people joining him should have just formed their own new studio, as opposed to closing Irrational and forcing over 100 people to find new jobs. These people were perfectly able to continue working on future Bioshock installations.

When Jason West and Vince Zampella left Infinity Ward, they didn't shut down the studio and force 100 people to find new jobs, they took those who wanted to go, formed a new studio, and Activision refilled the ranks they emptied. When Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk left BioWare, they didn't close down the studio and force 800 people to find new jobs. Jason Rubin and Andy Gavin didn't shut down Naughty Dog when they left, they let the studio become better than ever.

There was no good reason to just shut down Irrational just so Levine can make different kinds of games. He could have done what so many other people have done, just form a new studio that has new goals while everyone else can still keep their damn jobs.

like I said I'm not making excuse's . Right now I don't know the full detail's beside he decided to do this I'm not fully sure what state their studio is at . if he had no chose but to do this or not.

Do we even know this was his decision to close the studio? Does he have that kind of authority where he can just close entire studios at will? I doubt that would ever have happened without 2k's express say so.

he said once prior to this he does some people on the joystiq's site are discussing that very same thing.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

It's got to be a 2K decision, ultimately. They must not have confidence in the power structure at Irrational if they think that minus Levine, they're not worth keeping. Which makes no sense to me, because you'd think they'd atleast give them a shot to prove themselves without Levine. Atleast give them the chance to **** up, because they've been successful.

I'm hesitant to blame Levine, because it sounds like a hell of corner to be stuck in. If he wanted out, to do something else, for creative purposes...asking that he just stay where he is and bite the bullet on what he wants to do just because 2K worships him or something, just sounds like a cynical way for someone to continue working on what's supposed to be a passionate job.

 

[X Knight]

wow! shocking news!!

and sad too for all those laid off.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Looks like this was in the works a year ago and makes it a bit more clear Levine wasn't really the one responsible for this decision:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/211139/Irrational_Games_journalism_and_airing_dirty_laundry.php

The news that Irrational would effectively close, laying off its staff, leaving Levine to start a new endeavor with just 15 former Irrational members and a flat hierarchy, came as a surprise to me -- and that's even though someone told me it could happen, a year ago.

I think something to consider is that even though Infinite sold well it was in development for six years.

 

[Soapy]

Where is your avatar from? Are they making more episodes with him?

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

Man I wish. No sadly its just an audio cover.

 

[Soapy]

Bummer. I like him.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

You really should check out his Eighth Doctor Adventure audios. They're quite good.

*resume regular discussions*

 

[KevanG]

*takes it off topic again*

I really should watch the movie again. I've been listening to the audiobooks and kinda want to watch it due to that.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I saw it recently. It continues to be not good.

 

[Benstamania]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo.... I guess BioShock Vita ain't happening..?

 

[zenith16]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo.... I guess BioShock Vita ain't happening..?

• 
  
  BioShock To Live On Despite Irrational Closure
  
  news
  on Feb 20, 2014 at 10:07 AM
  9,294 Views
  
  
  471​
  
  2K Games tells us that fans of Big Daddies, Little Sisters, and Songbirds need not give up hope.
  ... more

source:GI


though I'm sure some people will be voicing how it won't be the same. cause of what happened with bioshock 2.



We'll see what happens.

 

[Upset Spideyfan]

I actually enjoyed Bioshock 2 but I don't feel the need for more Bioshock.

 

[jonathancrane]

After the ending of Infinite, I would have no problem if they ended the Bioshock series. Not every series has to ****ed to death like COD.

 

[X Knight]

I wouldn't mind a next gen Bioshock game.

 

[X Knight]

and what's going to happen to the Bioshock property/franchise??

does 2k own it then?

 

[zenith16]

and what's going to happen to the Bioshock property/franchise??

does 2k own it then?

well they published it and usually that means they own it. cause it wouldn't have been in exsistance if that wasn't the case. the issue is about who will do the story and vision for the series though. right 2k's only big property is xcom and 2k even though their a publisher their not that overly big so I kinda see why they want to continue it. but with out the person that created it and it was mostly his vision it'll be tough. if it was more the just him vision wise for the series and one person had stayed I don't think there would be division on if this series should continue or not.

 

[Brother Jack]

After the ending of Infinite, I would have no problem if they ended the Bioshock series. Not every series has to ****ed to death like COD.

Yeah, I don't know what else needs to be said after that. But it's a popular franchise so it inevitably will get driven into the ground.

 

[X Knight]

well they published it and usually that means they own it. cause it wouldn't have been in exsistance if that wasn't the case. the issue is about who will do the story and vision for the series though. right 2k's only big property is xcom and 2k even though their a publisher their not that overly big so I kinda see why they want to continue it. but with out the person that created it and it was mostly his vision it'll be tough. if it was more the just him vision wise for the series and one person had stayed I don't think there would be division on if this series should continue or not.

thanks.

well, hopefully, some other dev will pick it up and continue the series, down the road, on the new systems.

it would be a shame to just let it all stagnate.

 

[zenith16]

we'll see. ok two pod cast on this topic.

PODCAST​

KEN LEVINE’S DECISION, TROPICAL FREEZE, AND MORE SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY CONDITIONS

MEN'S HOCKEY SPOILERS:We mention the final results of the Men's Olympic Hockey Game between US and Canada. Vic and Scott discuss Ken Levin's decision to move to a smaller development team which leads into an in-depth talk of how unsustainable the game development industry is to its developers and needs to change. They also cover Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, the Olympic Hockey Game, and the latest movies out this week!


And

• 
  
  GI Show 192: Irrational Closes, WildStar Interview
  
  podcast
  on Feb 20, 2014 at 07:00 PM
  3,476 Views
  
  
  10​
  
  We discuss the surprise closing of BioShock developer Irrational Games, and talk about Carbine Studio's promising new MMO WildStar.
  ... more

source:

EPD.TV/ ROTR &GI​