We Talk To Ken Levine About BioShock Infinite

This man interviews well. I like hearing developers talk about making a game, and he does a good job and has a certain charm that isn't overbearing, but seems to grow on you. His acknowledging flaws of his game (in a way not like Molyneux where everything he's ever done he later decides is crap) and mentioning other games and ideas and goals to hit to even rival them shows a good market savvy as well as creative. 
 
However, I kind of went "oh..." when it was revealed to be Unreal 3. It's weird as hell to get tired of an engine, but at least they're using it in a way I've never seen before.

Wow, I loved that. Probably too much.  I loved how it was more than just a sales pitch. Or, if it was, it was disguised as a lecture on "What is Bioshock:Infinite."
 
This should be a feature. Next, with Tim Schafer.

Nice interview. Still not sold on the game though.

This is so awesome, need more interviews like this!

" This man interviews well. I like hearing developers talk about making a game, and he does a good job and has a certain charm that isn't overbearing, but seems to grow on you. His acknowledging flaws of his game (in a way not like Molyneux where everything he's ever done he later decides is crap) and mentioning other games and ideas and goals to hit to even rival them shows a good market savvy as well as creative.  However, I kind of went "oh..." when it was revealed to be Unreal 3. It's weird as hell to get tired of an engine, but at least they're using it in a way I've never seen before. "

I said what the fuck during the demo video at the part of the dude doing the whole speech about columbia. then when the cannon shot and the bell tower falling.  so i think they are doing their job. Also the details are what really build the world up and keep the player playing the game. Also was screaming nevermore when the crows flew out.

This was a really great interview, I love how Giant Bomb is almost like TV for gamers .

" He seems like a real cool dude.. that guy sitting next to Jeff looked pist off the whole time, until he started talking. "

Brilliant interview. 
 
I'm sorry for mixing a compliment with a criticism but the good choice of shots needed a mono-pod/tripod, especially because the camera dude had to be there for 40 minutes! yikes!

I just watched this whole thing. 
 
And holy shit, this is the of the greatest interviews I have ever seen, and is by far one of the best things Giant Bomb has done. I really hope you can do something like this with other developers in the future.

Outstanding interview.

Amazing interview!! Glad to see an interview with Ken Levine that does not resort to 'You are awesome, your game is awesome now tell me how awesome is your game!!'. 
The interaction between Ken and Jeff is genuine and he gets him to no just list PR points about the game. And Ken is one smart dude!

I think it's a good sign when the developers of a game look completely beaten down & sleep deprived. Hopefully their struggles will prove to be fruitful.

Epic interview! Thanks GB.

Flying Bid Daddy.
 
We're fucked.

" Really good interview. This is the sort of informative, intellectual content I enjoy from Giant Bomb, in between the funnys of course! "

great interview.

Wow, what a fantastic interview!!!!! I'm loving the new gameplay footage of Bioshock: Infinite and this just took it up a level. I love hearing Ken Levine's philosophy on the Bioshock franchise and where he wants to take it. I remember back when there were rumors of Bioshock and the first concept art was coming up that the enviroment would have a huge event on gameplay and the way enemies would act or react to it. It seems like they are really pursuing that in this game and 2012 cannot come fast enough!!!!

How come Ken doesn't need a Mic, but Jeff does yet they both sound just fine (Ken sounds a little better if anything?) Audio guy???

" @Milkman:@Milkman said:

" @IrishBrewed said:

" GO away sequels, please just go away....Can I get a new ip   Yes I know this is Bioshock 2.5...and why does Levine sound so confused about his own game/idea behind this game...maybe just coy..  It sounds like they are trying to pass on the Bioshock name to please the"bosses" but really wanna do something different...We will see. "

You have no idea what the hell you're talking about. First, you say it's "BioShock 2.5" and then you say they're just slapping the BioShock name on it. You're just throwing blanket criticisms at the game with no regard for any kind of sense. Sequels are what keeps this industry alive so get used to them. Not to mention that as far as sequels go, BioShock Infinite looks to be one of the more original sequels in a long time.  "

You are right I have no idea what I am talking about...I bought Bioshock 1 and 2 , but am totally devoid of any kind of opinion on the matter whatsoever..I dont want to start a opinion war with you, cause hell we would both look like fools. I also do not want to assume you are much younger then me.But the reason I commented that I hate sequels, if you care to know is because it use to not be the trend with every game back in the day, it was always a new title coming out with fresh and "new" gameplay..But this current generation has spawned the "sequel" trend and it is getting old fast. And I personally think Bioshock 2 was not worth the money i paid for it. I do not think sequels keep the industry alive, if that is the case we would not have BIOSHOCK. Sequels are simply a developer riding the hype, so to speak, instead of giving us something new...What I will give credit to Levine for doing is realizing this and it appears he is trying to make a new IP with the same name, which is kinda sad, but if this is how he has to get it approved, then so be it.  We have to remember that even Bungie got tired of making Halo games and left the Microsoft because of it... I just hope that people give up on Call of Duty and Halo and dont buy L4D2 or Crackdown 2...And please! Why you are at it stop buying avatar clothes... "

I think Ken Levine misinterprets Jeff on several occasions and got somewhat defensive. Still I'm stoked to hear about their combat approach, should be fun or at least refreshing. Elizabeth... well I never liked Alyx.

A true meeting of minds.

This guy sounds a bit like Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Really cool voice :)

This really is the only gaming website on the entire internet where one can find interviews this in-depth and of this calibre.  Bravo, Giant Bomb.  Bravo.

 Wow, the name "BioShock" finally clicked with me and it totally fits for this game.  Think about the name itself, with no context of where it came from or what it could be applied to, it literally means "Biological Shock."  In other words it represents the shock of putting living organisms through a new experience, such as putting certain forms of life in a new habitat which it needs to adapt to or the cultural impact that new technologies or innovations have on life.  It has absolutely nothing to do with water.  That was just one example of what a "BioShock" could be, and another extremely valid example would be isolating humans in the sky and putting them through a completely new experience. That was the whole point of the first game and now it makes sense to have the new setting in the sky, to put you through a completely new experience to shock your system. 
 
This also applies to the time periods in which these games take place since the isolation of being underwater or in the sky, and the consequential shock to the system, are metaphors for the cultural changes people were going through in American history following along with each respective setting.  So no, the name BioShock was not just tacked onto this game based in a new setting; a new and unfamiliar setting is the entire point of what the term "BioShock" represents.

excellent interview Jeff and excellent work GiantBomb this is the kind of stuff i have been wanting, more in depth coverage of the people who actually make games. 
 
Other major web portals can put out a hundred articles a day but i will always take the quality of GiantBomb over them every day of the week.

I could literally watch Ken Levine talk about game design philosophy for 12 hours. The man is incredibly interesting and has a ton to say about the industry, he's not just about repping his game, but is clearly more interested in people understanding where the team is coming from concerning that game, and for that I give him made props.

That's a lot of Ken Levine. Is this heavy of a dose of Ken Levine even legal?

" Irrational Games are sort of like the AC/DC of the game development world.  They take the same concept, mix it up slightly, and resell it again and again. "

I still think he kinda looks like Steve Carell. 
 
Great interview. I'm totally sold on Bioshock Infinite.

Ken Levine may be my favorite game creators ever. He is spot on with his design philosophy and brings it to his audience in an honest and open way. Loved the frankness and humility in this interview, from both Ken and Jeff. The segment about the wrench was great. Bioshock Infinite is a definite day one purchase for me at this point.
 
Also, I loved mixing of the trailer into the video. Great editing by Vinny and crew.

 any developer that puts creativity and progress before rehash and easy money, deserve a 45 minutes interview    

Ken seems like a really nice guy.

" Let's see, how many Ken Levine Kool-Aid drinkers there are on this site... "

Awesome, paid membership already paying dividends - great interview.

" @sofacitysweetheart said:

" Let's see, how many Ken Levine Kool-Aid drinkers there are on this site... "

If liking how a dude opens up about making awesome games and being frank about what was right and what was wrong about them is being a "Kool-Aid drinker" then I have one thing to say:  OH YEAH! "

Man! Thank you GB for having the stuff the post a 45 minute long interview, and not just breaking it up into 4-5 pieces. This is exactly why I gladly subscribe.  

That was a very good interview. Thanks Guys.  
And thanks to Ken Levine and his teams .for those games.

Very good interview. I like the direction GB is taking with the site.

This is a great interview.  Thanks guys.

ken levine ftw!

lol its so cute to see Jeff get all fanboyish  :3

Where can I get System Shock 2?

Jeff to be on an episode of Irrational Interviews?

I feel like Ken Levine is the sort of dude who is so smart and insightful that it would be intimidating to talk to him on camera, and yet this interview is pretty great!

I could listen to Ken Levine talk for hours. So glad he's back at the helm of the BioShock series. Infinite looks amazing!

I cannot pre-order this hard enough.