The creator of the Bioshock series is effectively shutting down Irrational Games, as he looks to establish a more “entrepreneurial endeavor” at Take-Two Interactive.
The news was revealed today on the company’s website, which also stated all but around 15 staffers will be out of a job. There is no exact number as to how many people Irrational Games employed.
“There’s no great way to lay people off, and our first concern is to make sure that the people who are leaving have as much support as we can give them during this transition,” Kevin Levine, creative director and co-founder of Irrational Games wrote, adding his time at Irrational Games was the “best job I’ve ever had.”
The post stated that staff members will have access to the studio for an undisclosed period of time to finalize their portfolios, and will also receive financial support. A recruiting day will be hosted by the company to give third-party studios and publishers a chance to hold interviews with departing Irrational staff.
Levine also said that the move to a smaller team structure will result in a closer relationship with gamers, mentioning it’s a scenario that will mirror his time with the team’s initial emergence seventeen years ago.
