Take-Two takes in Irrational

Publisher's adds more muscle to its PC roster with SWAT 4 studio, will release BioShock for PC and "next-gen consoles" in 2007.

Last week, Take-Two Interactive released a financial report that predicted it will take a per-share loss for the current quarter. However, that isn't stopping the publisher from continuing to beef up its roster of PC development talent--in the form of acclaimed studio Irrational Games. This morning, Take-Two reps confirmed to GameSpot that the acquisition is indeed in the offing.

Previously, Irrational had a long-standing relationship with VU Games, which published its acclaimed PC shooter SWAT 4 and its comic-book-inspired Freedom Force vs. the 3rd Reich. However, their relationship soured after VU ceased online support for Tribes: Vengeance following tepid sales.

Farther back, Irrational had a deal with Electronic Arts, which published System Shock 2. Ironically, EA recently renewed the System Shock trademark with the US Patent and Trademark Office, meaning a sequel could be in the future.

Take-Two also confirmed that it will publish Irrational's role-playing/first-person shooter BioShock for the PC and as-yet unnamed "next-gen platforms" in 2007. Given Take-Two's proclivity for porting top-tier PC action games like Prey and Elder Scrolls IV to the Xbox 360, it is almost certain it will be released on Microsoft's new console.

Billed as a spiritual successor--but not a sequel--to System Shock 2, BioShock follows a protagonist through a genetic-research lab with ties to the World War II. Unfortunately, the lab is filled with mutated creatures that may have been once human. Luckily, the protagonist will have a host of superhuman abilities, courtesy of a Deus Ex-like skill system.

For more on BioShock, check out GameSpot's exclusive preview of the game.

32 Comments

  • ColdGen

    Posted Sep 22, 2007 8:18 pm PT

    They did obviously. BioShock rocks!

  • benotts

    Posted Jan 12, 2006 7:25 am PT

    Let's hope Take Two handles this game alittle better than the last few releases.

  • kenshi_92888

    Posted Jan 12, 2006 4:10 am PT

    Take-Two made a wise decision for taking Irrational in.

  • jatin_m_shah123

    Posted Jan 12, 2006 3:50 am PT

    the story of the given game resembles to the doom movie which is recently released

  • Irvine78

    Posted Jan 12, 2006 12:26 am PT

    Next month, EA will purchase humanity.

  • Micha_van_Essen

    Posted Jan 11, 2006 7:01 am PT

    "anthony_basic wrote:
    So VU games still owns the SWAT License right? Or did take 2 take that also?"

    Indeed that's still VUGs, Irrational Games just developed SWAT 4 for VUG.

    The (Boston) IG developers are great devs, they were heavily involved with the SWAT 4 community when the game came out. Irrational Games was also named "Best Developer" by IGN for 2005 in the PC category, so Lucky Take-Two for having them aboard and lucky fans for the future games they will develop a game for.

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 1:58 pm PT

    i luv swat 4 and i will luv swat 5 even mo bedder than is lass tyme

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 10:03 am PT

    i luv swat 4 and i will luv swat 5 even mo bedder than is lass tyme

  • n3oS7oRm

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 8:39 am PT

    Bleh EA has to much marketing power, They are destroying creativity in the market. Although this headline is good news. What will EA try and take-over next THE WORLD?

  • Ummagumma

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 3:52 am PT

    "Spiritual successor"? Sounds like a direct sequel to me. Looking forward to it.

  • Predator_Soul

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 12:58 am PT

    It's clear to me now. The words "Next gen-consoles" next to one of the best PC games ever made equals another Deus Ex 2 fiasco. This news coupled with the possible release of a real sequel from EA makes me lose all hope of ever seeing a well made PC game.
    Expect to see a simplified 'till stupideness interface and many more "Console" features at the expense of Mouse+Keyboard control(no inventory,just a healt bar and in the left corner the IQ of the person who's playing-> expect that to be very low).
    May SS2 rest in peace.Let's bow our heads in reverence for the last good game to fall to the new corporate money making era so well described in SS2.

  • The1stFishBone

    Posted Jan 10, 2006 12:36 am PT

    If some how this get through to someone at take two. DON'T RUSH THIS GAME

  • forever_blank

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 8:45 pm PT

    I doubt EA will take them over, just out of interest, but this is generally good news.

  • Chau_

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 8:06 pm PT

    would be fun on rev with its awsome control system.. too bad this dev is a little short sighted

  • andrewtyen

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 4:56 pm PT

    nice job

  • rencie

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:52 pm PT

    I hope they'll release more information about Bioshock soon. Based on the description of the game in the article, it doesn't sound too appealing at this point. I hope new information will change my mind on that.

  • SGTMUS

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:38 pm PT

    hmmm System Shock 3.

  • mclazyj

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:31 pm PT

    This is good news. Now hopefully another Freedom Force game is on the way and I will be a happy man.

  • freham2001

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:16 pm PT

    that would suck if EA took over Take Two, they are in charge of Rockstar, and that means GTA.........

  • quatoe

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 3:16 pm PT

    This is good for Take 2, they got a good devoloper, and now they will rule the world

  • 00chaos8

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    WOOO Bioshock YEAH!!

  • MrPsycohed

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 2:48 pm PT

    "Take Two aquired a great development studio."

    And dear GODS, don't let them screw it up. . .

    Don't forget to salt the fires!

  • THF2

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 2:18 pm PT

    I remember thinking that Bioshock sounded like an interesting game...that is until I forgot about it since there was no news about it for like ever.

  • anthony_basic

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    So VU games still owns the SWAT License right? Or did take 2 take that also?

  • Poltergeist13

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 1:26 pm PT

    Take Two aquired a great development studio.

  • exclusiveburner

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 1:19 pm PT

    idc what happens as long as Elder Scrolls Oblivion comes out good

  • Truth01

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 1:17 pm PT

    Good job Take-Two.

  • Donkeljohn

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    next week " EA takes over Take-Two" . . . I would neither be sad, nor surprised.

  • Mp5slipknot

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 12:32 pm PT

    Wooo! That means Bioshock will be even more awesome!

  • insane956dv

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 12:24 pm PT

    next week " EA takes over Take-Two"

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 12:15 pm PT

    Happy that Take-Two got them instead of EA.

  • Vash003

    Posted Jan 9, 2006 12:11 pm PT

    Yippy First

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