Ken Levine, the creator of the Bioshock series, warns that the risk-averse nature of AAA games leads to stagnation and loss of interest among players. In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, he states that “if you don’t innovate, especially in games, you start losing people” due to familiarity and lack of excitement.
The video game industry has become increasingly focused on graphical capabilities and franchise recognition, making it challenging for developers to take risks and innovate. Levine’s own studio, Irrational Games, was forced to shut down in 2017 after a lengthy development cycle for their new game, Judas, which finally released in March 2025.
Levine acknowledges that the situation is complicated due to his unique circumstances, but he recognizes the struggles faced by developers working under strict deadlines and with increasing production costs. He notes that “everything’s getting more expensive” and that commercial viability becomes a major concern when budgets are high.
The success of Marvel Rivals, despite being similar to other live service shooters, highlights the importance of innovation and risk-taking in games development. While it’s unlikely that any game will be successful without some level of creativity, Levine emphasizes that “nothing is blessed by God to be successful.” Developers must continually strive to create something new and exciting.
The industry’s reliance on franchises and familiarity can lead to stagnation and decreased interest among players. As Levine notes, when developers stop innovating, people simply tune out. The video game industry must strike a balance between commercial viability and creative risk-taking to avoid this fate.
Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ex-bioshock-lead-ken-levine-says-the-problem-with-aaa-games-is-how-risk-averse-theyve-become-if-you-dont-innovate-especially-in-games-you-start-losing-people