Ep.156 – Would You Kindly: Ken Levine, BioShock, and the Game That Questioned Free Will
A Trip Down Memory Card Lane · David Kassin and Robert Kassin
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Show Notes
In 2007, Irrational Games released BioShock, a first-person shooter that blended philosophy, science fiction, and moral choice into one unforgettable descent beneath the waves. In this episode, we explore the long and complicated development of BioShock, tracing Ken Levine’s journey from theater student to one of gaming’s most celebrated storytellers. Our discussion dives into the abandoned ideas that shaped the project—from space stations to Nazi labs—before Rapture’s Art Deco skyline emerged. We cover the game’s major influences, from Ayn Rand’s Objectivism to the moral dilemmas behind the Little Sisters, and examine how it became one of the defining titles of its generation. Join us as we build, harvest, and question free will in BioShock on today’s trip down Memory Card Lane.