'BIOSHOCK' CREATOR SAYS NEW GAME 'JUDAS' IS "OLD-SCHOOL" WITH NO LIVE-SERVICE NONSENSE
In a world drowning in battle passes, daily logins, and predatory microtransactions, a voice from the past has emerged with a message that sounds almost revolutionary: "You buy the game, and you get the whole thing." Ken Levine, the mastermind behind the legendary BioShock series, has confirmed that his long-awaited new game, Judas, will be a purely single-player, old-school experience with no live-service or monetization nonsense attached.
A Complete Story? In This Economy?
Speaking in a recent interview, Levine laid out the shockingly simple philosophy for his new studio's debut title. "There’s no online component, there’s no live service, because everything we do is in service of telling the story and transporting the player."
The fact that this is considered a radical, newsworthy statement in 2025 tells you everything you need to know about the current state of the industry. We've become so conditioned to half-finished games and endless roadmaps that the simple promise of a complete, self-contained experience feels like a goddamn miracle.
Betting on the Single-Player Experience
Levine isn't just taking a shot in the dark; he's betting on a proven model. He was quick to point out the massive success of other huge, traditional single-player games like The Witcher 3, Baldur's Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. His point is clear: audiences are starving for expertly crafted, complete stories, and they are more than willing to reward developers who provide them. He's not trying to chase the latest trend; he's sticking to what he knows best, building immersive worlds and telling incredible stories.
So, When the Hell Can We Play It?
Of course, there's a catch. We have no fucking idea when Judas is actually coming out. The game has been cooking for a long time, and its original 2025 release window is looking more and more like a fond memory with every passing month. While Levine's commitment to a classic, no-bullshit release model is refreshing, it also means we're in for a long wait. Good games take time, especially when they aren't being padded out with seasonal content and a battle pass.
Ken Levine's comments are a breath of fresh air in a smog-filled industry. He's promising a return to the kind of game that many of us fell in love with in the first place. One you buy, you play, you finish, and you remember. It's a bold stance in the age of the forever-game. Now, all we have to do is wait. And pray it's worth it.