http://www.weblogsinc.com Post tagged ken-levine on the Weblogs Inc Network http://www.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2006 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/28/x-com-revival-rumors-resurface/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/28/x-com-revival-rumors-resurface/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/28/x-com-revival-rumors-resurface/#commentsWe've been down this road before and it looks like we are going that way once again. Rumors of a revival of the classic X-Com turn-based strategy PC game series have been popping up on the Internet tubes for years. This week the new rumors center on 2K Games' developer Firaxis working on a new version of the original game.

This new rumor comes from the Twitter page of the anonymously updated and trademark-obsessed web site Superannuation. The statement also revives the rumor that there's a first person shooter X-Com game that's also in the works. 2K Boston has been named as the developer for that title for quite some time and it's head man Ken Levine hasn't exactly denied that possibility. Indeed 2K Boston's sister developer 2K Australia has apparently worked at one time on such a project as Superannuation has found a (since removed) resume from a former developer at that studio that mentions such an X-Com game. We just wish 2K Games would spare us more time to speculate and come clean; the suspense is killing us.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/ken-levine-lists-favorite-games-again-changes-mind-on-a-few/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/ken-levine-lists-favorite-games-again-changes-mind-on-a-few/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/28/ken-levine-lists-favorite-games-again-changes-mind-on-a-few/#comments
Ken Levine plays video games. Shocking, we know! Speaking with IndustryGamers, Levine, who is currently working on a super-secret project, listed his ten favorite games. Occupying the top five spots in descending order are: World of Warcraft, Civilization, Beyond Good & Evil, Ultima Underworld and Company of Heroes.

Back in 2007, Levine produced a similar list for MSNBC. His top five have apparently shifted in the last two years, though, as Heroes of Might and Magic 2 and Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past have fallen even beyond the BioShock developer's top ten. How hast these games forsaken thee, Ken? What hast they done for thou to banish them from thy heart likest so?]]>ken-levine http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/27/ken-levine-reveals-his-top-10-all-time-favorite-games/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/27/ken-levine-reveals-his-top-10-all-time-favorite-games/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/10/27/ken-levine-reveals-his-top-10-all-time-favorite-games/#comments
While Ken Levine is still working on his top secret next project at 2K Boston following the release of the original BioShock over two years ago, he's apparently got some time to reveal his top 10 favorite games of all time to IndustryGamers. As one might expect, Levine's picks include several PC exclusives.

Among the games picked are Master of Magic ("It's Civilization with dragons. And spell making. And giant armies of Dwarves and stuff. Why is there no sequel? Is there no God?"), Baldur's Gate 2 ("I play it for the combats") and Company of Heroes ("The RTS that reminded me I could still love RTS."). And his number one pick is not much of a shock but still funny to read. You can check out the entire list at IndustryGamers right now.]]>ken-levine http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/08/11/more-proof-of-shooter-game-for-2k-bostons-next-project/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/08/11/more-proof-of-shooter-game-for-2k-bostons-next-project/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/08/11/more-proof-of-shooter-game-for-2k-bostons-next-project/#commentsEarlier this year a job listed for 2K Boston stated they were looking for someone to work on a multiplayer first person shooter project. This week new evidence emerged that the development team behind the original BioShock is working on some kind of shooter game for their next project.

The company's job page shows three listings, all of whom state that 2K Boston (and its head man Ken Levine) are hiring to work on "an unannounced shooter". Levine has already said in previous interviews that their next game will have "a scope and ambition in mind which is more ambitious than anything we've ever done."]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/2k-bostons-next-big-thing-is-a-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/2k-bostons-next-big-thing-is-a-shooter/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/10/2k-bostons-next-big-thing-is-a-shooter/#comments "Yeah, that and 90 percent of the other games released every year," you retort.

Okay, we hear you, and trust us, we get it. It's not exactly earth-shattering that a 2K Boston job listing indicates that the follow-up to the studio's big-hit shooter BioShock would be another shooter. But do you remember the part where 2K Boston made BioShock? Yeah, you better believe we're going to tell you everything we learn about it until we have it in our trembling, grateful hands. (Speaking of which, it's also hiring a multiplayer level designer, for your info.)

Besides, we weren't positive it was going to be another shooter. It could have been another Freedom Force game, for all we knew. Actually, 2K Boston ... could you go ahead and make that too, while you're at it?

[Via Gamespot]]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/cooing-over-sander-cohen-bioshock-statuette/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/cooing-over-sander-cohen-bioshock-statuette/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/07/cooing-over-sander-cohen-bioshock-statuette/#comments
GamePro has a photo set of the statuette based on BioShock's homicidal artist, Sander Cohen, given to 2K Boston employees by the studio's Creative Director Ken Levine. The sculpture was created by "Irrational" artist Robb Waters, produced by Patch Together and infused with mental instability by Fontaine Futuristics.

2K Boston is currently working on a secret project while 2K Marin (and a half-dozen other studios) try to get BioShock 2 out the airlock.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/levine-bioshock-2-needs-2k-marins-stamp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/levine-bioshock-2-needs-2k-marins-stamp/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/20/levine-bioshock-2-needs-2k-marins-stamp/#comments
Though you may see characters and a world you recognize when you pop in BioShock 2 next year, don't expect to encounter that distinctive Ken Levine flavor, that Zest of Kenny L, if you will. "I make no claim to anything on BioShock 2, and I think it's important that that's their product, and their culture," Ken Levine told Gamasutra. "Because you can't just clone a studio. They're working on BioShock, but it's got to be their project. They've got to put their stamp on it."

While we can't wait to see 2K Marin's stamp, we just hope it leaves room for Arkane Studios, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes' stamps too. Man, we'll be able to ship this thing to Jupiter with all the postage it'll be packing.]]>ken-levine http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/07/18/ken-levine-says-next-game-is-more-ambitious-than-previous-titl/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/07/18/ken-levine-says-next-game-is-more-ambitious-than-previous-titl/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/07/18/ken-levine-says-next-game-is-more-ambitious-than-previous-titl/#commentsKen Levine is still not talking about what his team at 2K Boston is working on next. Let's get that out of the way right now. However he is more than willing to chat to Gamasutra about pretty much anything else in a lengthy interview (with interjections from 2 Boston's director of creative development Joe McDonagh and the studio's recruiter Ryan Oddey).

The interview talks about how 2K Boston hires the right people and creates the right culture to develop their games. However Levine does give a small hint about what their next project is trying to achieve. He states, "We needed a certain kind of length for the title, because we had a scope and ambition in mind which is more ambitious than anything we've ever done. Even more, substantially more ambitious than BioShock." Wow. That sounds promising.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/take-two-and-tor-releasing-bioshock-novel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/take-two-and-tor-releasing-bioshock-novel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/27/take-two-and-tor-releasing-bioshock-novel/#comments
We're still not sure why anyone would want to retrofit video games with last-gen tech and turn them into books, but sci-fi/fantasy publisher Tor has apparently had a lot of success with the practice lately, with franchises like Halo and Dragon Age. The next game to get the dead tree-ment? BioShock, which will be the subject of a 400-page hard- and softcover release this fall.

Currently, the book's author is listed as Ken Levine, but we're pretty sure that's a placeholder, because we don't live in a magical alternate dimension where we can make things happen just by wishing for them. We'll let you know when we find out more.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/mit-big-levine-talks-life-before-bioshock/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/mit-big-levine-talks-life-before-bioshock/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/mit-big-levine-talks-life-before-bioshock/#comments
We're here at the MIT Business in Gaming conference this afternoon to watch Ken Levine – who holds the title trifecta of "co-founder, "president" and "Creative Director" at 2K Boston (née Irrational) – take the hotseat in a Q&A format (that, for some reason, is being billed as a "keynote"). No bother – given an opportunity to hear the BioShock developer discuss the current state of the industry (not to mention regaling us backstage with amusing yarns about Strauss Zelnick's protein-centric diet), we took our spot in the front row, laptops at the ready.

After an introduction by one of the show's sponsors (get off the stage, bub!) the Q&A was handed over to MIT graduate student Dennis Fu, who peppered Levine with a series of questions inspired by the day's panel topics: digital distribution; in-game advertising; MMO business models; and serious games. Fu stepped right into the deep end, asking Levine "What can you tell us about BioShock 2?" As he's said before, he's keeping himself intentionally in the dark so that he can play it "as a fan." "We're sort of keeping ourselves at a distance," he explained.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/ken-levine-next-project-will-cost-a-fair-amount-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/ken-levine-next-project-will-cost-a-fair-amount-of-money/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/08/ken-levine-next-project-will-cost-a-fair-amount-of-money/#comments
During his Q&A at the MIT Business in Gaming conference, Ken Levine revealed the cost of some of his projects and hinted at the cost (and scale!) of 2K Boston's latest, still secret, project.

"Freedom Force was $2 million; System Shock 2 was $600K, it was nothing. BioShock, I think it's been published, was $15 million," Levine said. When we asked how much, on that scale, his new project would cost, Levine teased, "It's more than System Shock 2."

He elaborated, "It's a fair amount of money. Our goal is to build experiences." Referring to the craft of building experiences, Levine noted that BioShock "didn't have the best shooting compared to Call of Duty" and "it didn't have the most revolutionary AI." What it did have was an "experience [gamers] couldn't get anywhere else." It was something "that people can look at it and say, 'I can't have this experience anywhere else.'"

Here's the thing: "Generally those experiences cost a fair amount of money to make," Levine says. Of course, he can't say how much – "because I would probably get fired before I walked out the door" – but he assures us "It won't be the cheapest product ever made." So we've got a ballpark here: Somewhere between $600K and infinity.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/01/ken-levine-shows-off-what-a-total-nerd-he-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/01/ken-levine-shows-off-what-a-total-nerd-he-is/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/01/ken-levine-shows-off-what-a-total-nerd-he-is/#comments
It's okay, Kenny L., we're nerds too. We know what it's like owning the I, Claudius box set and no one understanding. In fact, if we wrote to A Life Well Wasted with pictures of all our stuff and thoughtful descriptions for each image, we're absolutely sure that A.) Robert Ashley wouldn't return our emails and B.) No one would like us, even if he did post it.

But alas, we are probably more interested than we should be in the marvel of the BioShock creator's collection, put together for a feature called "Stuff I Can't Live Without." Somewhere between the plastic guitar leaning against his stack of various board games and the eloquent reverence he uses to speak of his wife, we fell just a little bit harder for ol' Ken. We'd love to show you all there is, but why not check out the original post yourself?]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/ken-levine-keynoting-first-mit-business-in-gaming-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/ken-levine-keynoting-first-mit-business-in-gaming-conference/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/13/ken-levine-keynoting-first-mit-business-in-gaming-conference/#comments
Focusing on riveting hot-button issues like "digital distribution, marketing, and in-game advertising," the MIT Sloan School of Management is kicking off its first ever "Business in Gaming " Conference (BiG) with BioShock magnate Ken Levine as inaugural keynote speaker.

We'll be there, Big Daddy statues and permanent markers in tow, and when we're not ogling KennyL we'll likely check out the panel featuring ex-Boston Red Soxer Curt Schilling of 38 Studios speaking about MMO business models. Hey, maybe he'll talk about that game his company's been making for three years! Code-named Copernicus? No? You don't remember that one? Yeah, neither do we.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-an-irrational-name-change/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-an-irrational-name-change/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/gdc09-an-irrational-name-change/#comments
It appears that 2K Boston may be going back to its original name, Irrational Games, soonish. This evening, at a social event held by the developer's PR company, several 2K Boston employees were wearing the above shirts, promoting that jobs are currently available at the developer. When we confronted several 2K Boston folks about why the two URLs were on the shirt, they were ... well, let's just say they were a little cagey. If it happens, it means Irrational switched its name and back again in under two years.

]]>ken-levine http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/03/22/ken-levine-gives-some-hints-on-2k-bostons-future/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/03/22/ken-levine-gives-some-hints-on-2k-bostons-future/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/03/22/ken-levine-gives-some-hints-on-2k-bostons-future/#commentsThe BioShock team at 2K Boston has been pretty silent about their upcoming plans and in a new Gamespot chat, its head man Ken Levine doesn't really give too many new details about what they have planned next. He does say that the game " . . . will probably come as a huge surprise to our audience and yet at the same time will make total sense once they see it."

He adds that the project " . . . will include a type of gameplay that is completely new to us--something the BioShock team has never really explored in depth before." But don't expect details about the game for a while. When asked if it's a new X-Com title (something that has been rumored for some time) Levine says, " I will say that I'm probably the world's biggest X-Com [fan]. I won't say I'm working on an X-Com game."

He also repeats that he and his 2K Boston team have nothing to do with the upcoming BioShock 2 title which is being developed at 2K Marin. Levine states, "Frankly, I'm trying to keep myself at a distance from it so I, like all the other fans out there, can play it fresh when it's done." 2K Boston is actively recruiting and our sister site Joystiq has the word on the developer's hiring drive.]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/2k-boston-is-hiring-hey-ken-we-have-excellent-compuper-skills/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/2k-boston-is-hiring-hey-ken-we-have-excellent-compuper-skills/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/20/2k-boston-is-hiring-hey-ken-we-have-excellent-compuper-skills/#comments
2K Boston is looking to staff its next project and is blaring that information quite publicly -- a bold move in this economy. The company approached us with images of a postcard it'll pass out next week at GDC on a recruitment mission. It sounds like the developer is casting a wide net for talent and will sift through the candidates to find what the studio is looking for -- we do not envy that human resources person. Almost nothing is known about 2K Boston's next project, other than that, in Ken Levine's words, it's "very, very, different."

According to the flip side of the card (found after the break), the company is currently looking for ... well, it appears it's looking for everyone under the sun. The company has "dozens of openings in programming, design, art, audio and production." Remember to check for typos (like we should have with our headline -- guess that rules us out, blargh) before submitting your resume to the email address found on the card.

Now, let the speculation begin on why the image -- seemingly of a Big Daddy helmet -- was used for this promotion. Best of luck to the applicants!]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/we-really-want-this-new-bioshock-art-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/we-really-want-this-new-bioshock-art-book/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/we-really-want-this-new-bioshock-art-book/#comments
We know how it is. You're standing at your local department store/Cracker Barrel gift shop/hotel mini-bar and you just can't find the perfect gift for that special video game blog in your life. Hey, we've all been there. This year, we're going to make it easy on you: You should get us ... err, rather, your favorite video game blog, whichever that may be, this new BioShock art book.

Breaking the Mold: Developer's Edition is 174 pages, $24.99, is now available for pre-order and will make us love, prize and cherish you above all other readers from now until the end times. Did we mention there's free shipping?]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nycc-09-todd-howard-ken-levine-panel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nycc-09-todd-howard-ken-levine-panel/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/06/nycc-09-todd-howard-ken-levine-panel/#comments
So, what happens when you stick game developers Ken Levine (BioShock) and Todd Howard (Fallout 3) in a room with two outspoken games journalists for an hour? You get a fascinating discussion on how Eastern Europe has become a new haven for PC games, how Bollywood perfected The Lost and, of course, a lesson about Horse Armor. That, and Howard reveals Bethesda is working on an iPhone game. MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo and Newsweek's N'Gai Croal grilled both Levine and Howard on everything and anything gaming, and we were there to absorb it all.

When asked about what he thought the most notable game of last year was, Levine answered he was intrigued with Russian dev Katauri Interactive's King's Bounty: The Legend. He pointed out that Eastern Europe has been thriving with PC games, noting that games like King's Bounty are good reason to keep an eye on the region.

Todd Howard was asked by a fan where he draws the line on DLC, using Oblivion's Horse Armor as an example of seemingly unnecessary content, or content which should have been integrated initially. Howard responded saying that people shouldn't complain about the inclusion of DLC, as devs can't always include certain content within their given schedules. They're really extras for fans, he said; however, he ascribed merit to complaining about how much that content costs.

One last interesting discussion of the afternoon included a glimpse into how companies are using Achievements/Trophies in more ways than just giving you – the gamer – an ego. Game companies are using these accolade systems to check up on completion rates on their games (determined by the number of gamers who've received endgame Achievements). Levine revealed that 50 percent of BioShock players finished the game, while Howard noted a 30 percent completion rate for Fallout 3. Both those titles represented a notch up from the average 20 percent.]]>ken-levine http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/02/02/bioshock-developer-hiring-for-unnamed-multiplayer-fps-project/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/02/02/bioshock-developer-hiring-for-unnamed-multiplayer-fps-project/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/02/02/bioshock-developer-hiring-for-unnamed-multiplayer-fps-project/#commentsSpeculation about what Ken Levine and his group at 2K Boston are doing to follow up on their 2007 smash hit BioShock continues. While another group, 2K Marin, are doing the official BioShock sequel, we still don't have a clear idea on what 2K Boston is doing next (although rumors of an X-Com revival are still popping up).

In a new job entry on Gamasutra, 2K Boston announces it is hiring for a lead multiplayer designer to work on an upcoming first person shooter project. The job description states, "Understanding of online persistence is preferred but not required. MMO design or production experience also preferred." Since BioShock did not have a multiplayer component we are going to assume that 2K Boston's new title will have a faster pace than much slower BioShock. Hopefully we will learn more about this new game sooner rather than later.

[Via Kotaku]]]>ken-levine http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/bioshock-has-potential-for-numerous-sequels-suggests-2K-boss/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/bioshock-has-potential-for-numerous-sequels-suggests-2K-boss/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/bioshock-has-potential-for-numerous-sequels-suggests-2K-boss/#comments
2K Global President Christoph Hartmann says BioShock could have plenty of sequels, but he promises the company won't "cash in" on the franchise. Speaking with MCV, Hartmann states that with the "right twist of innovation," the series has the potential to span, oh, six parts ... "as Star Wars did." (BioShock 6: Revenge of the Lil' Sithsters, anyone?)

Although Ken Levine might be giggling all the way to the bank with sequel royalties, we'd like to see how BioShock 2: Sea of Dreams turns out before we get excited about a six-part aquatic epic. Also, wasn't Star Wars just a trilogy? Please, join us in our denial.]]>ken-levine