BioShock Infinite: Levine "first guy" to back aborted multiplayer mode

BioShock Infinite does not have a multiplayer mode of any kind, but Irrational games boss Ken Levine said he championed the idea initially.

Speaking to Destructoid, Levine discussed Irrational's much-discussed experimentation with multiplayer for the anticipated sequel

"I was the first guy who said, 'Look, let's try [multiplayer]' but it was tough, because it had to be something unique to us," he said.

"The first game we made that didn't have multiplayer was BioShock, and it was by far our most successful game. And so, I think the last thing we wanna do is throw this thing in the box just so we can put a bullet point."

Irrational eventually stopped experimenting with the idea rather than pull resources off the single-player side of things - something gamers reacted to very positively, despite the success of BioShock 2's multiplayer, due to rumours multiplayer development had caused a delay.

"People, especially I think with the BioShock games, they have this sort of emotional connection to things. I think that's where you see some of the various scandals and outrages because people feel an attachment to it. And if you don't respect that attachment, you reap the whirlwind," Levine said of resulting drama.

Hit the link above to see Levine's comments in the context of a longer video interview. BioShock Infinite comes out on March 26, which somehow feels a very long way off, on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.