Judas: Ken Levine Clearly States, His Game Will Be Old School and Microtransaction-Free

Ken Levine’s Judas – A Microtransaction-Free Old School Experience

More than a year after its initial reveal, new insights into Judas, the upcoming game from Ken Levine and his studio Ghost Story Games, have emerged from a filmed interview. This information sheds light on the title’s underlying philosophy, which aims to diverge from certain prevailing industry practices. During an interview on the Nightdive Studios YouTube channel with Lawrence Sonntag, Ken Levine outlined the foundational principles for Judas. The game is designed as an “old-school” single-player experience, free from microtransactions or live-service elements often associated with modern gaming. Levine asserted, “You buy the game, and you get all the content.” This stance offers a clear contrast to many major releases that typically include ongoing updates, roadmaps, and often paid-for content. However, Levine, known as the “father of BioShock,” also tempered his comments, stating he does not criticize studios that adopt these paths, acknowledging that “Games are expensive to produce.” Judas has been in development by Ghost Story Games for over eight years. The developers indicated that the market continues to value premium single-player titles, citing Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 3 as examples of successful games in this segment.

Old-School Narrative Immersion: Ken Levine’s Judas Unveiled on PS5, XSX|S, & PC

While specific details about gameplay and the release date remain undisclosed, the game will feature a unique companion system involving three key characters. These characters can either assist or sabotage missions, depending on the player’s decisions. Additionally, players can tweak AI factions in real-time, influencing dynamic story outcomes. Visually, Judas utilizes an improved Unreal Engine 5, showcasing sleek metal hallways, exaggerated facial expressions, and high-contrast neon aesthetics. Upon its worldwide launch, the game will not implement geoblocking or delayed regional releases. Rumors suggest Judas will debut at a standard price of 59.99, 69.99, 69.99, or RM329 across both digital and physical retailers. Some observers suggest the title could surpass Levine’s past creations. Judas will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game’s AI boss is called Tom. Levine described Judas as built around his concept of “narrative Legos,” theoretically allowing for high replayability. The game aims to offer an experience entirely focused on narrative, immersion, and its unique universe.

In Case You Missed It

For those interested in the future of single-player gaming and the evolving landscape of game development, be sure to check out “Ken Levine Confirms Judas Will Be Single-Player, Microtransaction-Free” by Bruno Pferd (published on July 12, 2025). This insightful piece delves into Ken Levine’s vision for his upcoming project Judas, promising a traditional narrative experience free from microtransactions. Dive deeper into the conversation surrounding creative freedom and game monetization models at Ken Levine Confirms Judas Will Be Single-Player, Microtransaction-Free. For those eagerly waiting for the next installment in the beloved BioShock series, Sophie Laurent’s latest article “BioShock 4 Not Likely to Release Soon, Patience Required” (published on July 8, 2024) offers some insight into what fans can expect. Despite years of anticipation and recent hiring activity by Cloud Chamber, it seems BioShock 4 is still in the works, with no release date in sight. Dive deeper into this fascinating update and learn more about how Ken Levine’s departure has affected the project while his new game JUDAS continues to develop independently (BioShock 4 Not Likely to Release Soon, Patience Required ). For all you PlayStation Plus subscribers out there, don’t miss the latest update from Carlos Mendoza on July 12th! He details how PS+ is celebrating its 15th anniversary with an impressive lineup of new games hitting the Extra and Deluxe plans this month. From the highly anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 to other exciting titles like Abiotic Factor and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, there’s something for everyone. Plus, catch exclusive discounts on DLC content too! Check out the full scoop PlayStation Plus Announces Cyberpunk 2077 and Other Games in July’s Extra and Deluxe Plans and get ready to level up your gaming library.