BioShock Creator: 50 Years Later, We Still Don’t Know Games
genji 
BioShock Creator: 50 Years Later, We Still Don't Know Games
BioShock Creator Ken Levine on AI, Judas, and the Future of Games
Industry veteran Ken Levine recently shared his insights on generative AI, his upcoming game Judas, and the ongoing quest to define video games themselves.
AI’s Limitations in Game Development
Levine acknowledges AI’s potential but highlights its current limitations, particularly in storytelling. While impressed by AI’s technical capabilities, like improving bug databases, he notes its struggles with narrative structure and scene creation. He emphasizes that Judas‘ development did not utilize generative AI beyond these technical applications.
The High Stakes of Judas
Judas boasts unprecedentedly high stakes, a deliberate choice to avoid the “universe-ending-every-five-minutes” trope common in other media. Levine explains that maintaining consistent, dramatic tension while allowing player agency presented a significant development challenge, contributing to the game’s lengthy production.
50 Years of Games, Still Undefinable
Levine reflects on the industry’s half-century history, pointing out that unlike film, which had established its identity much earlier, video games are still searching for their defining characteristics. The ongoing evolution of the medium, coupled with the complexities of player choice and narrative depth, continues to pose challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Generative AI shows promise in technical aspects of game development, but lags in narrative design.
- Judas features exceptionally high stakes, carefully balanced to maintain player engagement.
- The video game industry, after 50 years, is still grappling with its core identity.
Judas is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A release date is yet to be announced.
