Judas Interview: How Ken Levine Is Building on BioShock With 'Narrative LEGOs'
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- čas přidán 25. 03. 2024
- Renowned designer Ken Levine invited IGN's Ryan McCaffrey and The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley to Ghost Story Games in Boston, where we spent six hours playing a recent build of his new narrative-driven single-player first-person shooter Judas, followed by a lengthy conversation with the award-winning game designer to discuss the long wait since BioShock Infinite, bringing the "narrative LEGOs" concept to life in Judas, what the game is all about, and much more. You can watch the entire interview in the video above, but before you do, we figured you might want to know a little bit about Judas first. So we'll share the basics, without spoiling anything: Judas is a first-person narrative-driven shooter that, from a moment-to-moment gameplay perspective, will feel familiar to BioShock fans. You have a gun in your right hand and various organic powers on your left hand.
Story-wise, you play as Judas, a young woman aboard the Mayflower, a city-sized spaceship on a multi-generational mission to save humanity by transporting what's left of it from Earth to a new planet, called Proxima Centauri. You start the game having been reprinted (yes, meaning you were dead), where you'll wake up and begin interacting with the holographic projections of the three leaders who run the ship: Tom, the ship's head of security who wants to protect all of humanity by ensuring that the Mayflower's original mission stays on course; Nefertiti, the ship's Nobel Prize-winning doctor who wants to create a civilization of full robots with no human flaws; and Hope, who wants your help deleting herself because the existential crisis of her existence leads her to the conclusion that deletion is the only way to end her suffering. Further complicating matters is that the three of them are a family: Tom and Nefertiti were married, and Hope was their adopted daughter. It's up to you to side with whomever you feel like, but whatever choice you make has consequences. Doing a favor for Tom might piss off Hope and/or Nefertiti, and vice versa.
This constant push and pull is at the heart of Judas's player-driven narrative, and it means that no two playthroughs are ever likely to be the same. That's the "narrative LEGOs" in action, and what we talk a lot about in the course of the interview. Enjoy!
#IGN - Hry
You can tell how excited Ken is that he's able to discuss some of these plot details after years. This is definitely a buy for me.
Not only for you.
@@chrismueller7635 Wrong! It's all mine.
🐓🍭
Find the complaints about this "just being like Bioshock" as silly. It's a continuation of the philosophies and ideals that Irrational have adhered to since System Shock 2 over 25 years ago. Do we criticise From Software for just iterating on top of a similair gameplay structure? No, we don't.
Keep mentioning bioshock is also annoying me, Can we just consider this is a new game?😂
I bet this game will be better than Bioshock and Bioshock is a 10/10 for me🫡
They've reskinned Demon's souls more times than games Ken has released in his full career.
These people act like Bioshock-esque games are releasing every year like Call of Duty or Madden when we haven't had a Bioshock game in over 10 years and the last game that wasn't Bioshock but was like it was released 7 years ago (Prey 2017).
What's even sillier about those complaints is that the game isn't even gonna be exactly the same as BioShock anyways. It's gonna be highly replayable and have a very non-linear narrative, way more than any of the BioShock games. Besides it's not like BioShock style games are a dime a dozen, they're pretty rare.
@@kaiholeung903 it’s definitely a new thing but it’s aesthetic is unmistakably bioshock lol
Really enjoyed this chat with Ken and Ryan -- Geoff
Legends ❤
geoff the goat
Thanks Dynga
Yooooo Geoff
Do you dream of Electric Sheep?
These kinds of games will always be an instant buy for me! Passionate creator who understands games and what gamers want and wanting to push boundaries is so rare nowadays so it’s fantastic to see there are game still being produced like this.
agreed
There are inverses to this. Peter Molyneux comes to mind.
Remember callisto protocol? It was supposed to be a dead space spiritual successor and look how that turned out. Best wait for reviews.
@@stefandinu6389and the melee combat still looks like "hit the anywhere" oblivion style attacks
Glad they are still making games like this
Give it another 5 years. Wait till my generation takes all dev spots 😂
True, dude.
Wish we could play these games often without waiting so long.
Looking forward to playing Judas!
It occurred to me how important Ken Levine is to games.. especially in today's current climate
Shout out for the XCOM shirt
Yall better listen to this man. One of the most influential and legendary game developers in history. No doubt he's gonna push the genre again with Judas.
Dude, Bioshock Infinite was terrible both from gameplay and story perspective.
@@user-lm7ux9zg8ryour opinion on bioshock infinite doesnt matter as it was objectively one of the best games the year it came out.
@@user-lm7ux9zg8rI’m confused. Even if YOU didn’t like it, that is your opinion, and it was critically acclaimed when it came out and is generally held in high regard by the majority of people. And how would also you not liking ONE game that Ken made, somehow say anything about this new game you’ve never even touched, and is attempting something brand new for narrative in games?
@iraford5788 Honestly love bioshock infinite despite its cut content, still holds up really well and that ending was so cool.
Still yet to play the dlcs for that game are they worth playing?
Play the DLC and your opinion on infinite will change.@@Connormccloud25
Ken Levine looks a little like Steve Carrell.
Nah, more likely Steve Carrell looks like Ken Levine.
It is the same person but works in 2 different brands
hes the jewish version lol
He looks like Peter Jacobson. Its uncanny.
Ken levine is a true artist. Look at the passion and excitement in his face and voice as he speaks about the game. This is my most hyped game and kev levine is one of my favorite artists ever.
If Ken's sitting down you know its worth a listen.
especially xhile he's wearing an XCOM shirt
I'm really like how Ken explained the dynamic between the three characters and the intriguing world that players will get to explore when Judas is released. Can't wait to see more!
IGN - you guys need to adjust the audio level discrepancy and re-upload this video. For example the difference in volume at 11min 28sec between the Kevin Levine interview and the gameplay video is so loud you could have blown out speakers, headphones and hurt ear drums. Please fix this.
Great jumpscare
Exactly. Who tf did the editing for this??
One of my most anticipated games
There been this narrative for the last 2 decades that AAA games should play like movies. To me that fundamentally undermines the strength of video games, and computer science in general, which is their ability to simulate reality and give players a sense of choice. I'm so glad Ken is capitalizing on this strength and bringing this sense of choice and simulation back into AAA gaming.
A true mastermind. The experience of Infinite still grips me to this day
Been a fan of Ken Levines work since the original Bioshock
Ken and Irrational have such an excellent track record. Nothing is perfect, but they make great games with cool settings, great visuals, memorable characters and stories, etc.
To everybody who works or worked on this game:
THANKS! You're awesome!
lol there are more "worked" than "works" ... but thank you for kind words
Ken Levine is a living legend. Bioshock is my favorite series of all time, Burial at Sea is tied with Witcher 3: Blood and Wine for best DLC ever released. So happy he’s finally back with a new game!
Too bad we dont get a bioshock 4
Dude, how in God's name do you have one of the best written DLC with Blood and Wine and right next to it one so awfully made that it killed its franchise? Genuine question. The quality of them are literal polar opposites.
@@SproloquiTv A new BioShock game is in development by 2K and Cloud Chamber! Confirmed back in 2019, we should get some news within the next year or two. There were reports that development has been rocky though…
@@taigaaisaka6305 Agreed, BAS was not needed at all and hurt the series more than anything.
@@taigaaisaka6305’killing the franchise’ and ending the franchise are two entirely different things. And I’ve never got the complaint BAS is badly written, it’s basically the same quality as the rest of the games
Judas is going to be spectacular. Ken has passion for stories and his characters!
It's super cool hearing Ken Levine speak about creatvity
Huuuuuge respect for Mr. Levine! Can’t wait to play Judas!
i'm 100% certain if you are a creator and you are working with someone like Ken Levine that changes many things during development. It can be extremely tough. Especially if you don't have a certainty that the game will be finished in it's original concept. Ken Levine's brain is a dark souls boss.
Bioshock was a Masterpiece, Bioshock 2 pure Art and Bioshock Infinite Impressive!
Sweeet, looking forward to it! The focus on writing characters with care is such a big brain move. Ken's unique world building and atmosphere always demand my attention.
Paralleling professional sports, fan access to the athletes is almost just as important as the actual events they compete in. The video game industry has an opportunity to increase engagement with the creatives themselves instead of focusing primarily on the finished product. Job well done and looking forward to more such interviews in the future. As for Judas, looks awesome 👏
Long time no see, Kevin Levine. Glad to have you back!
Judas and clockwork revolution are most anticipated games to date but will be waiting for a while take your time
can someone pls fix the volume balance. the clips from the game are SO loud
Such a treat to have these 3 together. Also, awesome office, Ken! Very nice!
Alright, having the Vectrex displaying Judas was pretty cool in the background
Been waiting for this interview - and this NEW GAME - for over 10 years now.
Hmmm, feel like when Ken and Geoff are in the interview it's always been a great time. Can't wait for the next world from this team. Thanks for all the fantastic games! Thanks Ryan, Ken, and Geoff!
Sounds great. This interview made me so hyped.
Very interesting to hear the philosophy behind the narrative and game experience - looking forward to it!
Philosophy is definitely something Ken loves to incorporate into his stories.
Very, very cool. Thanks to both parties on bringing this to the world!
😊 I'm glad Ken is arround creating these beautiful things 😊
Oh man having Ken Levine talk about this deep stuff, has me so excited where the future of gaming can draw from! :D
Can’t wait to play this!
If you didn’t already know but just hearing Ken talk you just know he’s a bona fide Genius
Love the VECTREX with "Judas" on the screen!
So incredibly excited for this game. Hoping for its success and that Ken can keep pumping them out for another 30 years.
This just became one of my most anticipated titles of all time. Super excited to see what they've been cooking up!
Ryan McCaffrey is the beating heart of IGN, as far as I'm concerned.
So damn hype for this game. Bioshock is one of my favorite franchises.
The enemy design and guns have that side of the road gift shop toy design and I'm here for it.
The Alexa bit terrified me, lmao!
Holy shi Ive been waiting 20 years for this. My favorite game of all time and favorite game creator is back baby!!!!!!
Best thing in in this video: Ken Levines shirt. And what Keely( or whatever is name is) is doing in the video is the largest enigma.
Great interview Ryan / Geoff
My favorite part of the world building in Bioshock games were the audio diaries…I was really hoping those would come back!
This is just a brilliant setting and premise for a game.
Cant wait 🔥
I've always felt like Ken Levine is the James Cameron of the gaming industry. He tends to only release something once a generation but when he does...it's something special. The same perfectionist obsession that gives him a bad reputation as difficult to work with. Bioshock would be his T2. Infinite would be his Avatar. Critically beloved but fans are split.
Man is a genius. Can't wait for Judas 🤟
This is really interesting and innovative. It could single handedly save single player gaming in the future. Much like how you buy a new Lego set after you finish the last one, they can release new “Lego sets” built on the same architecture.
If you can't wait, play Prey (2017) if you haven't. It's really underappreciated.
So awesome to hear from Ken Levine the David Duchovny of the video game world! Big fan of this guy and his games! Can’t wait for “Judas!”
Really look forward to this game
Is Eldin Ring Just Dark Souls. Is Balder's Gate 3 just Divinity Original Sin? Sure you can see the Bioshock DNA in the game he's making, but he's using his past experience to make possibly his best "Bioshock" game yet without being confined to the Bioshock name.
Eagerly awaits for JUDAS: Collector's Edition: inc. Horsedroid'springy'figurine!
The irony that people are calling it Bioshock when the story and setting sound far more similar to system shock…
I’m so pumped on this game
Levine is damn great. Hope he develops games forever.
I'm so excited! Can't wait for it to come out : )
Bio shock infinite is criminally underrated,….too smart for people,…went over many peoples heads,….one of my favorite storylines and implications of it of any media not just games,
Really love this guys passion. You can really feel how excited he is for people to experience the game. Loved the bioshock games and can’t wait for this!
Ken Levine game, instant purchase of the super deluxe collector or whatever edition. Take my money!
The best video games aren't just something fun to play but also about ideas and emotions. The Bioshock series was fun but it was also about its themes and ideas. Likewise, Silent Hill 2 is considered the best because it is a powerful emotional story.
A bigger budget Void Bastards. Looks great!
People forgot we have 16 Final Fantasy games and complain when a director makes a project similar to his past work like BioShock.
It’s like complaining about xeno franchise or Mistwalker games
Ken Lavinia seems like an awesome guy!
Thank you for this wonderful video?
This looks amazing. In an era of endless Disney remakes its easy to think art is dead, and be things like this give me hope.
Loving the Xcom T-Shirt.
Really enjoyed the Bioshock series, hope the new game will be more than Bioshock
LFG BABY KENS BACK
"We wont spoil how you get around"
*Shows big robot puppo with a cockpit*
HMMMMM
Ken is in Infinity War Tony Stark cosplay.
18:42
Looks like the dude watched Gantz.
Let's go!!!
Take a shot everytime Geoff interrupts Ken
Looks very promising, there are very few people left who are given all the time they want but ken is one
So flipping hyped
Bioshock was the only game I've played for 24 hours straight. It sounds like Judas is going to have very interesting immersive sim elements.
If you are in a rush, you can beat the game in 6 hours. Normally it's around 10 if you explore everything.
Bioshock and Infinite are both in my all time top 5. Cannot wait
Definitely getting this
Heavy Sean Murray No Man's Sky energy.
Damn so much info. Some felt like spoilers
Amazing!
Yes
4-5 hr main story. Game focused with multiple play throughs.
Great man, thx Ken! U legend!
I'm excited for this but the one thing that keeps bugging me is how all of the particle effects have that same Unreal Engine 3 look from over a decade ago.
cant wait!
Really informative and interesting chat, but I'm now scrubbing just to find if there's literally any info about when this game might actually be coming. Is there any discussion of that at all?
2025
March 2025
This sounds amazing.
2:17 does this imply we will get the insane inputs of choice influencing the world on a bigger scale on a semi linear game, as in, are we getting the true bioshock infinite, an fps with decisions meticulous and small as say a telltale game?
Steve Carell, the greatest western game designer of the century.
this was announced in 2022!? its weird that I'm just now hearing about the game now in 2024