Judas Is Similar to BioShock in Some Ways But Also Radically Different in Others, Says Creator

Ken Levine, the acclaimed designer and writer behind System Shock 2 and the BioShock franchise, has shed new light on his next project, Judas, which is currently in development at Ghost Story Games. In a recent video interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays, Levine explained that while Judas contains familiar elements reminiscent of BioShock, it is also a radical departure in many ways.

Levine pointed out that some mechanics - such as dual-wielding weapons and powers - will feel familiar to long-time fans, but emphasized that Judas introduces entirely new systems and approaches that distinguish it from his earlier titles.

“There are parts of Judas that are more similar to BioShock, and there are parts of Judas that are really, really radically different,” Levine said. “I’m sure people noticed there’s a gun in one hand and you got powers in the other hand. We have an additional hacking thing which we haven’t shown off that much, but the way the game works, the way you choose between relationships, the way the world is decorated, the way encounters come in, the way you choose paths in the game, those are all so radically different. The way the story is delivered, too. This is probably the biggest radical departure we’ve made since I did BioShock. This is more of a departure in some ways than BioShock was to System Shock 2.”

Levine described Judas as falling between BioShock and System Shock in terms of complexity and depth, noting that it is a bigger, more complex game that emphasizes player expression and granular character interactions.

Building on lessons from BioShock Infinite, Levine explained that Judas will allow players to forge nuanced relationships with in-game characters, far beyond the “few big choices” typical of many narrative-driven games. Instead, players will experience low-level reactive systems, where characters may become angry at the player’s actions, can be pulled back from hostility, or even manipulated to clash with each other.

“Infinite felt a little light to me on player expression, so we went back a little more towards player expression and build depth,” Levine said, stressing that the focus was on creating a dynamic system of character relationships that respond organically to player decisions.

In late August, Ghost Story Games revealed the first developer log on Steam, introducing a feature called Villainy that further underscores Judas’s ambition for emergent storytelling. Unlike BioShock’s static antagonists such as Fontaine or Comstock, Judas features three potential villains - the so-called Big 3 - whose alignment depends entirely on player behavior.

If a player cultivates a relationship with one, that character may become an ally. But neglect or antagonize them long enough, and they may transform into the game’s primary villain, gaining a new suite of powers specifically designed to subvert the player’s goals and actions.

This system is intended to ensure that no two playthroughs are the same, and that villains are not pre-determined but evolve dynamically based on how the player engages with the world.

Judas does not yet have a confirmed release date, but Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has previously included it in the company’s 2026 release slate, suggesting that fans may not have to wait too much longer to experience Levine’s most ambitious project since BioShock Infinite.

With its blend of familiar mechanics, deeper player expression, and radical narrative systems, Judas is shaping up to be both a spiritual successor to Levine’s earlier works and a bold step into new territory for immersive storytelling in games.

Do you think Judas can live up to the BioShock legacy while carving out something entirely new, or will fans expect it to hew closer to Levine’s past successes?