BioShock creators form spinoff Bay Area studio
Upon completing BioShock, Irrational Games was transformed into a lumbering Big Daddy 2K Boston and 2K Australia, and now, according to an altered job posting (preserved in Google's cache), a third corporate entity has spun from the crew: 2K Novato? As yet unnamed, the new studio formed by "some of the creators of the award-winning BioShock" (not Ken Levine) is setting up shop in the Bay Area and hungry for a Lead Animator with at least 8 years of experience.
Meanwhile, 2K Boston is still hiring artists for its next project, which is bound for Xbox 360 and PC -- additional job postings call for PS3 familiarity. Many of the listings cite Unreal Engine experience as an advantage, suggesting that 2K Boston will continue to work with Epic's engine on what will likely be the next installment in the "BioShock franchise" (more like the 'Shock series). Deep space has been done before (twice), and the deep sea tackled most recently -- where to next?
Meanwhile, 2K Boston is still hiring artists for its next project, which is bound for Xbox 360 and PC -- additional job postings call for PS3 familiarity. Many of the listings cite Unreal Engine experience as an advantage, suggesting that 2K Boston will continue to work with Epic's engine on what will likely be the next installment in the "BioShock franchise" (more like the 'Shock series). Deep space has been done before (twice), and the deep sea tackled most recently -- where to next?











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
robert @ Nov 29th 2007 3:37PM
how about StickerShock?
where your paycheck has to survive the increasing monster cost of gaming during the holiday season releases
Mike @ Nov 29th 2007 3:39PM
The Bioshock series has the potential to become a mature Ratchet and Clank. The plasmid powers are going to have to be even more over the top with each iteration.
christerryatl @ Nov 29th 2007 3:39PM
They should totally create the world's first game development company that is located under the ocean's surface.
"In what country is there a place for people like me?" -- Andrew Ryan.
gonk @ Nov 29th 2007 6:15PM
in the deepest, blackest part of the ocean...
THE MARIANA TRENNNNNNCHHHHH
ErbilT @ Nov 29th 2007 3:43PM
2K Novato?
Isn't Visual Concepts in Novato as well?
Zoidbergio @ Nov 29th 2007 4:17PM
Novato Represent. I work in Novato and lived there from ages 12-23.
Visual Concepts is in San Rafael, the Terra Linda section, on the top of a hill right by northgate mall.
tonaros @ Nov 29th 2007 5:57PM
sup brother lets get jobs at 2k Novato
ErbilT @ Nov 29th 2007 6:09PM
I just knew it was across the bridge somewhere. Still, nice to see more studios opening up around these parts. Tonaros, do I know you?
Negativecool @ Nov 29th 2007 3:48PM
So...
Bioshock is coming to PS3 CONFIRMED!!!!
DemonGSides @ Nov 29th 2007 4:00PM
You sir, are an idiot.
Baked Pigeon @ Nov 29th 2007 4:29PM
Its soooo sad to see these people trying to make themselves believe bioshock is coming to the ps3.....
Just get a 360 already or play the pc version.
Negativecool @ Nov 29th 2007 7:32PM
I guess you guys didn't get the joke. :(
dvnt @ Nov 29th 2007 3:54PM
SepticShock? Zing!
ebugg @ Nov 29th 2007 3:55PM
it should take place in the 'hood.
'hoodshock
Alex M @ Nov 29th 2007 3:57PM
DuneShock!
Negativecool @ Nov 29th 2007 3:58PM
BTW has anyone ever thought of the obvious.
ELECTRICshock...It's just too easy NOT to be totally creative.
Jeff @ Nov 29th 2007 4:03PM
Please, dear god, don't let them continue on in the BioShock universe. There is nowhere else they can go with that story, as great as it was. Part of the glory of it was that there is absolutely no room for sequels.
Give us some other shock... even marketed as a sequel... but nothing in the same universe.
Moofree @ Nov 29th 2007 4:08PM
Papershock.
Like System Shock, only the graphics and abilities are paper-themed.
robert @ Nov 29th 2007 4:35PM
SuperMarioShock
for the Wii60 fans
Omar G. @ Nov 29th 2007 4:36PM
Deep... throat?
TonsilShock!
honkyjesusownsu @ Nov 29th 2007 4:55PM
Could care less about anyone except Ken Levine. This man is the sickness. Pet the Pony 3 yo.
BioShock is the best game on current-gen consoles (current-gen, sorry Wii), so whatever Levine is doing next I am all in.
Sick game - story, gameplay and immersion like no other.
Check the gametrailers.com side-by-side graphics of Sunshine and Galaxy... hilarious!
Thanks again for the BioShock game, Irrational!
Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 29th 2007 4:58PM
Although not an original theme, they could go for a purely deep underground setting. Then call it something that ties in with that like CryoShock (cryosphere), LithoShock (lithosphere), or TectonicShock.
Vidikron (FU) @ Nov 29th 2007 5:00PM
Oh yeah, forgot the most obvious... GeoShock.
Jeff @ Nov 29th 2007 5:10PM
AnteShock
Jeff @ Nov 29th 2007 5:10PM
But yeah that'd suck.
Etheo @ Nov 29th 2007 6:56PM
No Ken Levine = no win.
nes @ Nov 30th 2007 4:26AM
i wish they needed a sound designer!
vaylen @ Dec 1st 2007 4:45AM
Gotta be mine
'Cos you're so fine
I like your style, hey
It makes me wild
You give it to me good, wow
Just like you know you should
Get me on my knees
Please, baby, please, listen, listen, listen, yeah
You look so great, everytime I see your face
You put me in a state, uh, uh, uh, uh
A STATE OF SHOCK
(coming to a shelf near you)