Ken Levine Confirms Judas Will Be Single-Player, Microtransaction-Free

Ken Levine Confirms Traditional Single-Player Judas, Free from Live-Service and Microtransactions

Ken Levine, creator of BioShock and founder of Ghost Story Games following the closure of Irrational Games, recently discussed his upcoming title, Judas, during an interview with Lawrence Sonntag from Nightdive Studios. Levine confirmed that Judas will be a traditional single-player, narrative-focused experience, deliberately designed without live-service elements or additional monetization schemes like microtransactions. Levine expressed satisfaction in developing a game free from the pressure to include ongoing monetization mechanisms. He thanked publisher Take-Two Interactive for granting Ghost Story Games the creative freedom to pursue this vision, even though industry trends often push companies toward more intense monetization models due to rising production costs. While acknowledging this industry reality, Levine asserted that there remains ample room for classic games solely focused on entertaining players. He cited recent successful single-player, narrative-focused titles without live-service systems, such as Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, as examples.

Ken Levine’s Judas: Delayed, Revised, and Still Microtransaction-Free

Development on Judas has been prolonged, with approximately half of the production time dedicated to pre-production. The project has also undergone multiple significant revisions, with Levine reportedly discarding substantial portions of the game midway through, leading to frequent adjustments in the team’s plans. Ghost Story Games is actively hiring for the Judas project, including positions like Gameplay Engineering Director. While Judas was initially anticipated for a March 2025 release, it has since missed that target and currently lacks a firm new launch date. A recent update from Take-Two Interactive suggests a potential release as late as 2028. The game is slated for release on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, though specific details about its launch remain limited. New information about Judas may emerge at future industry events like Gamescom or The Game Awards, as Levine continues to reiterate his commitment to delivering complete, narrative-driven gaming experiences.

In Case You Missed It

For all you BioShock fans out there eagerly waiting for the next installment in this beloved series, Sophie Laurent’s latest piece “BioShock 4 Not Likely to Release Soon, Patience Required,” published on July 8, 2024, offers some insight into what’s currently happening behind the scenes. Despite years of anticipation and speculation, the article details the ongoing development efforts at Cloud Chamber while also addressing Ken Levine’s separate project, JUDAS. Dive deeper into the current state of BioShock 4 by checking out BioShock 4 Not Likely to Release Soon, Patience Required to see what lies ahead for this iconic franchise. For those interested in how Hollywood is stepping up its game when it comes to adapting video games, be sure to check out Ahmed Hassan’s latest piece, “Fallout: Hollywood Finally Gets How to Adapt Video Games,” published on April 16, 2024. In this insightful article, Hassan dives into the success of Amazon Prime Video’s “Fallout” series and how it sets a new standard for video game adaptations by respecting the original franchise’s lore while innovating with fresh storytelling techniques. Readers will enjoy discovering why this series is not only thrilling for gamers but also captivating for general audiences. Head over to our article (Fallout: Hollywood Finally Gets How to Adapt Video Games) to learn more! If you’re a fan of narrative-driven games and are intrigued by the fusion of classic storytelling with innovative gameplay mechanics, be sure to check out Carlos Mendoza’s latest piece titled “Judas: The Space BioShock Aiming to Revolutionize Narrative in Video Games,” published on April 11, 2024. In this insightful article, Mendoza delves into Ghost Story Games’ ambitious project Judas, a game that sets itself apart with its roguelite elements and procedural generation while staying true to the dystopian ethos of BioShock. From unique character interactions to dynamic environmental challenges, Judas promises an immersive experience tailored by your choices. Head over to Judas: The Space BioShock Aiming to Revolutionize Narrative in Video Games to learn more!