RipTen Videogame Blog » Ken-Levine

Levine: PS Vita Doesn’t Compromise Gaming Experiences

Alex Co — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:00:30 +0000

During last year’s E3, one of the biggest surprises of the show was when Ken Levine appeared on-stage at Sony’s presser and declared that a new BioShock game will be appearing on Sony’s PSP successor.

While no new details on that game has surface yet, that hasn’t stopped Levine from offering his thoughts on the handheld itself. In an interview with gaming mag PSM3, he cites that the Vita is an “interesting platform” and he feels that the PS Vita can offer people portable gaming without any compromises.

It’s a really interesting platform because, as a gamer, it’s the first platform that really sort of gives of everything. It’s the first time I can play things like shooters on an aeroplane; and I don’t like feeling I’m playing something that’s compromised in any way

If there’s one knock against the PSP, it was the fact that the thing lacked a second analog stick that made playing console-like games on the thing an exercise in frustration. The PlayStation Vita looks to remedy that with two analog sticks, a front and rear touch interface and enough buttons to replicate the PS3′s Dualshock controller. Of course, that’s not a guarantee that the Vita will be a success – on the contrary, it seems to be having problems gaining traction in Japan. We’ll know more how the PS Vita will fare when it’s released stateside later this month.

Any of you excited for the PlayStation Vita or will you wait for more games to be announced before you dive in?

Source: PSM3 (via CVG)

Bioshock Infinite to Feature ‘Old School’ 1999 Mode

Sam Naylor — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:31:43 +0000

2K Games has announced Bioshock Infinite’s ’1999 Mode’- a game type which makes the experience fit for old school gamers.

The game mode makes the game more challenging in a variety of ways- the most interesting being that decisions made by the player will have a much more prominent and lasting effect.

Ken Levine, the genius behind the Bioshock franchise, said:

We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots. In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.

If you’re tired of Vita-Chambers, this mode might be for you. 1999 mode requires better weapon, power, and health management, and “sends the gamer directly to a “Game Over” screen if he or she lacks the resources to be brought back to life.”

This seems absolutely fantastic. More permanent decisions are what Bioshock needs- it was always a bit off when choosing to kill little sisters had very little difference to choosing not to.

The BioShock Infinite Voice Cast Is Insanely Committed

Dave Oshry — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:00:11 +0000

You can tell that the voice actors in a lot of video games “phone it in” both literally and figuratively.

That’s sure as hell not the case with the voice cast of BioShock Infinite, oh no.

Ken Levine and his team at Irrational Games want to squeeze every last drop of emotion out of their actors, even if that means making them cry:

Dedication to your craft and fun. You can has them.

For more awesome behind the scenes info on BioShock Infinite and it’s voice cast, check out part one of this series.

Meet The Actors Behind BioShock Infinite (Video)

Dave Oshry — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 02:15:19 +0000

Although it’s still light years away from release, BioShock Infinite has already garnered mountains of praise. We, amongst many others, even gave it Game of Show at this year’s E3 expo.

One of the main reasons for this is the clear connection players already seem to have with the game’s main characters Booker and Elizabeth.

Watch below as voice actors Troy Baker and Courtnee Draper (along with Irrational’s Ken Levine) give us some insight into their soon to be iconic characters.

Yeah, there are attractive voice actors apparently…

Stay tuned to RipTen for part II.

These New Bioshock Infinite Screenshots Are Sad But True

Dave Oshry — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:15:57 +0000

So much pain in those eyes. Elizabeth… will you ever be set free?

Well, not until 2012.

Until then, enjoy some new screens from Booker and Elizabeth’s already award winning adventure Bioshock Infinite that were released today by Irrational Games and 2K:

Still not enough? Be sure to check out the entire E3 gameplay demo that prompted us to give Bioshock Infinite “Game of Show” at E3 2011.

If you want to get up close and personal with Booker and Elizabeth, be sure to check out their panel at PAX next week that will look at the characterization of the leads in BioShock Infinite.

Here are the details from Irrational:

Join Ken Levine (Creative Director, Irrational Games), Troy Baker (Voice of Booker DeWitt), and Courtnee Draper (Voice of Elizabeth) along with moderator Adam Sessler (G4) as they discuss the evolution of Elizabeth and Booker as characters, as well as their relationship in-game and its impact on the player’s experience.

PAX Panel Information
When: Saturday 2-3pm PT
Where: Unicorn Theatre

If you can’t attend the panel, you can watch it live at G4.com where it will start streaming at 2pm PT.

Stay tuned to RipTen for continued coverage of Bioshock Infinite and Irrational Games.

Behold The First Two Minutes of the BioShock Infinite E3 Gameplay Demo!!

Dave Oshry — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:00:03 +0000

Want to know why we gave BioShock Infinite our Best of Show award at E3 2011? Well, you’ll have to see what we saw. Unfortunately, you can’t see the full demo just yet, but 2K and Irrational Games have released the first two minutes of the E3 gameplay demo, so that’s what you get for now:

Trust me when I say that it only gets better from there. BioShock Infinite isn’t so much a first person shooter as it is a first person experience, and you’ll be able to see the rest of what we saw next week.

Stay tuned to RipTen for continued coverage of BioShock Infinite and all things Irrational.

BioShock Infinite Gets 39 E3 2011 Best of Show Awards

Dave Oshry — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:00:51 +0000

Here at RipTen, we’ve got pretty good taste in games. Don’t agree? Well, fuck you, everyone else apparently does.

RipTen named BioShock Infinite our Game of Show at E3 this year, and so did 38 other awesome outlets. Want to know who else? Well, 2K and Irrational Games were kind enough to send over this list:

Best of Show Honors

1UP
CNET
CNET TV
Cheat Code Central
Destructoid
Digital Trends
EGM
Electric Playground
Eurogamer.it
Everyeye.it
Examiner
FPSGuru
G4 X-Play
Game Informer
Game Informer — #1 Game in E3 Hot 50
Game Rant
Game Critics Awards
GameReactor TV
Game Revolution
GamerNode
Gamer Theory
GameSpy
GameTrailers
gamrFeed (VGChartz)
Giant Bomb
GotGame
IGN
Lazygamer.net
Machinima
Meristation
MovieStinger
MSNBC
MTV Multiplayer
Official Xbox Magazine UK
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Game Guy Blog
RipTen
USA Today
Venture Beat Videogamer

So, yeah, BioShock Infinite already looks like a serious contender for GOTY 2012 and all of these other awesome people agree. Once again, if you don’t believe us, go fuck yourself ^__^ Just kidding, we love u guys. <3

Stay tuned to RipTen for continued coverage of Bioshock Infinite and all things Irrational.

Bioshock Infinite: ‘Tears’ and Their Dramatic Effects on Gameplay (Trailer and Screens)

Garrett Hartman — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:31:52 +0000

A third developer diary for BioShock Infinite has been released. In “Windows Into Other Worlds,” Creative Director Ken Levine, discusses the science behind Elizabeth’s mysterious power and the dramatic effect it has on gameplay.

Watch and check out the new screens below:

Still not sure why we awarded Bioshock Infinite “Game of Show” at E3 2011? Then stay tuned to RipTen for continued coverage.

Ken Levine Explains the Factions of Bioshock Infinite

Stephanie Gutowski — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:50 +0000

Ken Levine, creative director of BioShock Infinite and CEO of Irrational Games, would like to explain to you what Columbia’s factions are all about in this latest video from 2K. Learn about the key players and what they stand for while you continue to count down the days until this game’s release in 2012:

Bioshock: Infinite – Irrational Games Explains the Excitement of “Sky-Lines”

Garrett Hartman — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:47:06 +0000

Because of the open sky setting of Bioshock Infinite, travel is far less restrictive and more exciting than in the cramped underwater city of Rapture.

In the video below, Irrational’s Ken Levine explains the excitement of traversing the sky on one of Bioshock Infinite’s Sky-lines.

Twitter-Comp, Win A Replica BioShock Infinite Sky-Hook From Irrational Games

Murray Hibble — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 03:29:02 +0000

With the exception of coma-patients, most people are looking eagerly towards the release of BioShock Infinite. If you can’t wait until 2012 for your Plasmid-fix, then developers Irrational Games have got a little something to tide you over.

And here’s the sky-hook…

To win a copy of this sweet looking Sky-Hook replica, all you need to do is retweet the above announcement from either @IrrationalGames or from Creative Director Ken Levine.

BioShock Infinite is due for a 2012 release. Stay tuned to RipTen for your Big Daddy updates.

Project Icarus is Bioshock Infinite

Dylan Duarte — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 20:15:25 +0000

2K Games has announced that the illusive Project Icarus is in fact the next installment in the BioShock franchise. BioShock Infinite will be set in 1912 on the floating city of Columbia.

Originally conceived as a floating symbol of American ideals at a time when the United States was emerging as world power, Columbia is dispatched to distant shores with great fanfare by a captiaved public. What begins as brand new endeavor of hope turns drastically wrong as the city soon disappears into the clouds to whereabouts unknown.

Columbia is now, “literally falling from the sky.”

You’ll play as Booker DeWitt, a former Pinkerton agent that has been sent to Columbia to rescue Elizabeth, a young woman that’s been a prisoner on the island since she was a child. You’ll need to use your powers in conjunction with hers to escape the doomed city. You’ll combat enemies indoors, outdoors, and in “high-speed Sky-Line battles”. The game will feature dozens of new weapons and abilities.

According to Irrational Games creative director Ken Levine, BioShock Infinite is “Both true to what people love about the series and unafraid to question every assumption.”

“In order to explore the floating city of Columbia, we needed an entirely new engine. To bring Elizabeth to life, we had to build brand-new animation and AI systems. To create wide-ranging indoor and outdoor firefights at 30,000 feet, we had to rethink, rebuild and expand the BioShock arsenal. The only thing gamers can be certain of is this: the rules of the BioShock universe are about to change.”

While it’s not completely inspired that they went from an underwater city to a city in the sky, it’s hard not to get excited for the game. Ken Levine is a great game developer and BioShock Infinite does sound fantastic. You can check out the trailer below, which shows Columbia in all of its floaty glory.

I assume the next BioShock will feature a city either in the center of the Earth, in deep space, or in a giant monster’s anus. BioShock infinite is being developed for the XBox 360, PS3, and PC.

Irrational Games Asks You To Guess Their Next Project

Demi Adejuyigbe — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 02:37:32 +0000

If you don’t recognize the name “Irrational Games”, you’ll probably recognize the name they went by before April this year- 2K Boston. Reverting back to their previous name, the Bioshock creators took up the name “Irrational Games” once more before announcing that they’re working on a new, original game. And now they want you to employ your psychic powers to guess what it is!

On NeoGAF, an Irrational Games employee started a thread asking what people think their next game would be, leaving a number for people to leave a voicemail with their ideas. (617-302-7805- keep it clean!) They want to discuss the ideas on an upcoming podcast, and I’m kind of interested in what people think they’re doing as well. Meanwhile, the crazy paranoid man in me thinks they’re going to listen to your voicemails and make a game out it and say “CONGRATULATIONS YOU GUESSED RIGHT” on the podcast. Then again, the crazy paranoid man in me is crazy and paranoid.

Ken Levine’s PAX Panel

Roly Reyes — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:32:32 +0000

And here I thought the best of what I was going to get from PAX had passed. Ken Levine, the man largely credited for the success of last year’s BioShock hosted a panel about adolescent nerdery, Hollywood screenwriting exploits, and finding himself as a game designer.

PAX 08 Ken Levine Keynote

Definitely my favorite panel of them all, and it’s not entirely because of my irrational love for the mind of Ken Levine. Having been born in an entirely different generation than Ken, I can still relate to many of his stories. Specifically the whole piece about growing up a total nerd and striving to find a tribe of like-minded individuals.

Source: GameVideos

Ken Levine Working on Secret 2K Project

Justin Arnold — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:29:31 +0000

Ken Levine is a man of many words, so when he gets tight-lipped in an interview at GamesIndustry.biz, suspicion naturally follows.

Levine, the genius behind the genre defining Bioshock, is currently working on a project for 2K that he describes as “something very different.”

What that something is remains a mystery.

“I actually can’t talk about it, without talking about the game itself,” Levine said to Industry.biz editor Phil Elliott. “There are things related to story, gameplay and… I don’t know how to describe it… people’s relationship with the game over the long term. That’s what we’re thinking about, but it’s about as clear as I can be.”

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/

Ken Levine is Kind of a Pretentious Twat. His Words, Not Mine.

John Kershaw — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:44:32 +0000

Just to be clear, there is never enough BioShock related news. And with that we offer you more. At the Develop Conference & Expo, being held this week in the UK, Ken Levine gave a talk entitled “BioShock and Awe: Immersing the Gamer in an Alternate World Without Drowning Out the Gameplay” in which he aired some very interesting thoughts. Not least “I’m kind of a pretentious twat.”

During his talk, Ken talked about a lot of aspects in the designing of Rapture and its inhabitants. So much detail was added to the game that even every corpse has a back story and a reason for being wherever they ended up.

He also gave a small insight into himself and his methods for designing a game, explaining that “there was no shortage of pretentious crap I could come up with at any point” and that although he may be hard to work with, he can still make damn good games, adding that BioShock will “be one of those games that change gamers’ lives.”

Ken, you may be a pretentious twat, but I don’t half have a secret man-crush on agree with you.

Via: VideoGamer, RPS, VG247

BioShock Movie to be Directed by Gore Verbinski: Might Not Suck

John Kershaw — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:51:10 +0000

A deal has been signed between Universal and Take Two to turn arguably one of last year’s greatest games, into a film. The movie is to be directed by Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski, whose previous work includes The Ring and The Weather Man.

As any gamer knows, most good games become terrible films, with the last major game set for movie stardom, Halo, failing to leave the design board. Is there any hope that BioShock: The Movie won’t suck? Thankfully, yes. In an interview with The Cut Scene, Verbinski had these comforting words for us: “We want to take all the strengths from the property. Of all the games I’ve played, this is the one that I felt has a really strong narrative.”

He also spoke about how the game’s more adult themes would not be compromised for the sake of the film, “We’re prepared to make it an R-rated movie. I don’t intuitively see it as PG-13. The content and the graphic nature of the story itself is smarter than that. It’s not for young kids,” adding that “I think we’ll go right up to the edge with the Little Sisters. I don’t want to soften it to the point where the core audience feels betrayed.”

He also mentions during the interview that he and BioShock’s creative director, Ken Levine, have talked on the phone, discussing what will and won’t work within the confines of a film. Since most of the game’s strength and success hinged on Levine’s vision, this can only be a good thing.

Source: Variety

Ken Levine Talks About VGAs: It’s all Gravy

John Kershaw — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:57:08 +0000

When Gamecock stormed the stage at the Video Game Awards earlier this month, they prevented Ken Levine, lead designer of BioShock, from giving his acceptance speech after winning the award for Game of the Year. For the first time since the event, Levine has given a short interview on the matter.

When asked about what was going through his head during the incident Levine responded:

All I really gave a crap about was that the judges (who were all top journalists) chose us from the field. The rest is kind of gravy.

When asked what he was hoping to have a chance to say, before he was so rudely interrupted, Levine said:

I had a tireless, amazing team who was on a mission to make BioShock great. We didn’t have 300 people or five years. We had an insane amount of passion. I’d like to thank the people who made it with me, the families that patiently waited while we did our thing, the publisher with the guts not to make us change it, and the fans who showed that gamers have a much broader range of interest and intellect than anybody in certain parts of the media or the political space is comfortable giving them credit for.

Read the full interview by 1UP here.

When PR Stunts Go Bad – Gamecock Interrupts Ken Levine at Spike VGAs

Andrew Podolsky — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:58:22 +0000

With mega-company Take 2 taking home top honors at the Spike Video Game Awards, indie publisher Gamecock was desperately vying for attention. But what’s sadder than “Game of the Year” body art? How about crashing Ken Levine’s acceptance speech in red capes and masks?

Check out the video– the surprised and subdued crowd reaction says it all. Gamecock has since apologized for the stunt, saying that they’d rather have crashed the Fueled By Mountain Dew category instead.

We know these guys want to stand out from the crowd, but upstaging one of gaming’s greatest designers was maybe not the smartest move. Gamecock will rise someday, perhaps, but it might take a bit longer thanks to this stunt.

[youtube width="425" height="335"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIDDAtVLRZw[/youtube]

Via: Joystiq