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We Talk To Ken Levine About BioShock Infinite

Jeff sits down with Ken Levine for a lengthy discussion about Irrational Games' 2012 release.

Sep. 22 2010

Cast: Jeff

Posted by: Joey

391 Comments

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Chocobodude3

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Edited By Chocobodude3

Excellent interview Jeff

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geirr

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Edited By geirr

Somehow I feel more connected and interested in Bioshock now,
even if I got bored halfways through the first game.
Hell yeah Poochie the Dog!

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Origina1Penguin

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Edited By Origina1Penguin

Amazing interview. After listening to it, I feel like the trailer was much less scripted than I originally believed. 
 
More like this, please.

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sheira

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Edited By sheira

Wow... Thank you for amazing interview. Certainly didnt expect this to be so long, but suprisingly enough, it was entertaining, informative and fun. Good job guys.

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corgorav

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Edited By corgorav

Very nice vid, very informative.

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ursa1979

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Edited By ursa1979

This is the greatest interview I have ever seen. And I love PBS and NPR so I know good interviews. Well done Jeff, well done.

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Sharpshooter

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Edited By Sharpshooter

I want this game so bad, but you know what, 2012 doesn't seem so far off now. 

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MrPiZzA

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Edited By MrPiZzA

Awesomesauce

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EgoCheck616

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Edited By EgoCheck616

This is why GB is as great as it is. Thanks a lot, guys.

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definedefydeny

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Edited By definedefydeny

that was an awesome interview
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commandercup

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Edited By commandercup

What a spectacular interview! Although the two dudes in the background looked really bored and uncomfortable... Amazing insight into the game and the development process in general (at least for Irrational).

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Max21

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Edited By Max21

very nice interview 

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griefersstolemykeyboard

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Ken Levine interview ER?

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FuzzYLemoN

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Edited By FuzzYLemoN

"Imagine ten internets."
- Ken Levine

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schizogony

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Edited By schizogony

  Ken Levine is captivating. 
 
Jeff Gerstmann is a great interviewer. 
 
 Make more videos like this, Giant Bomb.

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Gerhabio

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Edited By Gerhabio

more than 30 min? sweet

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DarkbeatDK

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Edited By DarkbeatDK

Great interview and I love Ken's input on working with creativity vs publishers. It made me go "Yes! THIS is the thinking I want behind games!"

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the8man

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Edited By the8man

I'm calling it: 
 
At the end of the game you save the life of a little boy who says, "gee thanks, mister! By the way, my name's Andrew Ryan.  Do you like Ayn Rand?"
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Skronk61

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Edited By Skronk61

Ken looks a lot like the main guy from Heavy Rain

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Davvyk

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Edited By Davvyk

With guys like ken heading up teams that are allowed time to express themselves away from the pressure of business...the gaming industry should do just fine

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Bananstativ

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Edited By Bananstativ

If he's confused I think it's about what to give away...

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Yalbit

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Edited By Yalbit

Loved the interview, but I loved seeing Remo more!

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Stinkins

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Edited By Stinkins

Great interview.  Thanks Jeff.  I love how he has the balls to give the middle finger to making unnecessary sequels and wants to instead invest in creating original content.  I would totally wait and give my $60 to more games developers that had the stones to do that.  Thank goodness someone can not bow down to big businesses like Levine. 
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vilhelmnielsen

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Edited By vilhelmnielsen

Absolutely amazing interview. Please do more of this stuff, it's what differentiates you from everyone else!

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nrain

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Edited By nrain

I am so pissed off at the HD streams crapping up ALL THE WHILE at about 18 minutes in. :@

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Nev

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Edited By Nev

Amazing interview.

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ThePickle

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Edited By ThePickle

After hear Ken Levine talk so much, I fell I'm a better person. 

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deactivated-5e4c09d3ba1b3

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That may have been the best video game-related interview I've seen. Lavine is fascinating to listen to and Jeff asked just about everything I was wondering. Nice to hear them speak so candidly, too.

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MooseyMcMan

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Edited By MooseyMcMan

Poochie! Yes, I love old Simpsons references! 

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Depth

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Edited By Depth

Chris Remo looks so tired.

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deactivated-64bacb6417c49

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Amazing interview! Ken Levine is truly inspirational.

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AuthenticM

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Edited By AuthenticM

Whenever this game comes out it's going to be the game of the year.

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KlUMZeE

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Edited By KlUMZeE
@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. "

Dude you an idiot or just a douchebag? This is clearly not "Bioshock 2.5" they've re-done everything from the programming to the graphics and the gameplay. This game looks amazing and you'd have to be blind not to see this game and be stoked!
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shakra

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Edited By shakra

This was a great interview. Thank you for taking the time, I really enjoyed it and now demand more.

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InFamous91

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Edited By InFamous91

Awesome interview. Only on Giant Bomb. 

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ST1LL_iLL

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Edited By ST1LL_iLL

Great interview, Jeff! I think this is what Pachter was talking about at the PAX panel. Getting game makers names and faces out there so when they walk down the street, they will no longer remain unmolested.

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Geo888

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Edited By Geo888

Great interview, that's why i subscribed.

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Baconator

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Edited By Baconator

The interview is incredibly interesting but ten minutes into the video I stopped watching but kept listening. I find the shaky cam extremely annoying and unnecessary.

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MmRibs

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Edited By MmRibs

Sounds mighty Bioshocking.

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sdornan

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Edited By sdornan

Ugh, can't believe this doesn't come out until 2012...

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2unique

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Edited By 2unique

Boo hoo! I can't see something I didn't  contribute too.. GET OVER IT!  I'm also sad I can't get this content but you don't see me bitching like I'm owed some privilege. I really can't afford to buy games at the moment (Thank god for rentals) nevermind a pass. So I take what was ALWAYS given for free. You don't see me ringing up Ferrari dealerships bitching that I can't have what others paid for and I did not. 
 
You get everything you had before and "they" get more.

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RainVillain

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Edited By RainVillain

Fantastic interview. Always love hearing Levine talk. One of the greatest minds in the industry. Great job Jeff!

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Lucifer

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Edited By Lucifer

Am I the only one that thinks Ken Levine looks alot like Steve Carell?

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GrandMarshal

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Edited By GrandMarshal

They understand what makes their game good, which is more than what most FPS developers know

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inkwolf

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Edited By inkwolf
@Lucifer:
Actually he reminded me of Ben Stiller.
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AddyMac

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Edited By AddyMac

Benicio Del Toro's The Hobbit is something I would be interested in seeing.

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Ravenlight

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Edited By Ravenlight

Pro Tip: get a tripod for these long interviews. 

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234r2we232

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Edited By 234r2we232
@AuthenticM said:

" Whenever this game comes out it's going to be the game of the year. "

Cool hypothesis, brother.
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pweidman

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Edited By pweidman

Levine comes off pretty creepy and a bit on the lunatic fringe,lol.  And that insanity, or creative genius for most folks and fans of course, translates to his games...but BioShock Infinite seems especially demented and strange(per the gameplay vid).  His commitment to his vision is certainly intensely strong.  Looking at the other's eyes watching Jeff in the interview room and Levine's penchant for retelling of US history is just too weird though.  I wonder how uncomfortable Jeff really was.