BioShock Creator Ken Levine Praises Take-Two for Allowing Judas to Remain Monetization-Free
Ken Levine, the creative mind behind the BioShock franchise, has reaffirmed his commitment to delivering a narrative-rich, single-player experience with his upcoming game Judas. In a recent interview with Lawrence Sonntag of Nightdive Studios, Levine shared insights about the game’s design philosophy and expressed sincere appreciation for publisher Take-Two Interactive’s decision to not impose any live service or microtransaction models onto the project.
During the hour-long discussion, Levine candidly stated that Judas will be a “classic single-player experience”, staying true to the type of game that made him a household name in the gaming industry. He highlighted how fortunate his team is to be allowed the creative freedom to focus entirely on immersive storytelling, complex characters, and player-driven narrative choices—without being forced to include monetization strategies that have become common in many AAA titles.
“I’m just really glad that Take-Two didn’t push us into making [Judas] a live service game. No microtransactions, no battle passes,” Levine said. “They let us make the game we wanted to make.”
This statement resonates strongly in today’s gaming landscape, where many single-player experiences are being retrofitted with online features and revenue-generating mechanics. Levine’s words underscore a growing demand among developers and players alike for monetization-free storytelling experiences.
Judas, announced at The Game Awards in 2022, is being developed by Levine’s studio, Ghost Story Games. While details remain tightly under wraps, early footage and narrative teases suggest the game will be a spiritual successor to BioShock, complete with moral dilemmas, world-building, and systemic gameplay choices.
Although a firm release date has not been confirmed, the studio continues to assure fans that development is progressing steadily and that Judas will offer an unforgettable single-player journey without the distractions of microtransactions or live service structures.
What do you think about Levine's stance on avoiding live service features? Do you think more publishers should support creators in making pure single-player experiences? Join the discussion below!