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2K makes Irrational name change

BioShock developers' studios in the US and down under now 2K Boston and 2K Australia, respectively.
By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpot
Posted Aug 10, 2007 10:17 am PT

One criticism leveled against Take-Two Interactive by analysts is that the company is a one-studio corporation, relying on Rockstar Games to make the company's money while 2K Games and 2K Sports lag behind.

With Take-Two's Irrational Games studio is set to release the much-anticipated BioShock later this month, the publisher today announced a rebranding to "symbolize the studios' further integration into the 2K Games family." Henceforth, Irrational Games' Boston, Massachusetts studio will be 2K Boston, while its offices in Canberra, Australia, will be 2K Australia.

"Irrational Games is widely recognized as one of the most innovative development studios in the world," 2K president Christoph Hartmann said in a statement. "Following their incredible efforts in bringing BioShock to life, we are proud to make the newly renamed Irrational Games studios a cornerstone of our game development family."

It won't be long until gamers can judge those efforts for themselves; BioShock has gone gold for the Xbox 360 and PC and is expected on store shelves August 21 in North America and August 24 in Europe. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

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149 Comments

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gangsterjc

4 days to go

Posted Aug 15, 2007 9:22 pm PT
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playstation_wii

I think some places released Bioshock early. I'm not telling.

Posted Aug 15, 2007 4:09 pm PT
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MindlessTeef

Ken Levine can't be pleased... he said in a interview that he really likes "irrational games" as a name for a Dev. So did I! 2K Bostan!? They could have just as well renamed the studio to Bob! How boring...

Posted Aug 14, 2007 10:01 pm PT
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Mtlguy

Who cares, just bring me another Freedom Force!

Posted Aug 14, 2007 11:20 am PT
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The_AI

I didn't notice that Bioshock releases so soon... waiting for review.

Posted Aug 13, 2007 1:09 pm PT
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TleeBlue

Never say Never. It is absolutely possible that a game could come out to ps3 unless the game is made by Microsoft. I am not saying Bioshock will be in ps3 but you can't disregard the possibility.

Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:55 pm PT
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Jubei_Hikari

I wonder, what are the chances of it becoming a multi-plat? Since the majority of 2k games are.

Posted Aug 13, 2007 12:54 pm PT
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gangsterjc

BIOSHOCK DEMO ON MARKET PLACE WOOHOO

Posted Aug 13, 2007 9:56 am PT
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squoig

masterchief1994: You and me share the same birthday!

Rock!

Posted Aug 13, 2007 9:15 am PT
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masterchief1994

Know what is retarded Bioshock comes out the day after my birthday. I wonder if my mom would buy a late present it for me? I HOPE SO!!!!!

Posted Aug 13, 2007 8:34 am PT
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-HCMF-

I guess I need to update my address book huh?

Posted Aug 13, 2007 4:08 am PT
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drangel_jam

I hope they remain with the of soul of this cool name, Irrational Games." That's a very smart move from Take-Two. With a game like Bioshock, it couldn't be a better timing.

Posted Aug 12, 2007 4:27 pm PT
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dn3datomiced

Nothing's worse than a soulless name like "2K Boston". I don't identify studios by their location. I identify them by their name.

That's why I think a combination of "Irrational" and "2K" is the best compromise: It creates a namesake link with its parent company, and still keeps the studio's chosen moniker. "Irrational 2K".

Posted Aug 12, 2007 3:08 pm PT
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UnknOwN58

I like the name irrational games better but if this gets them more money to make games, thats good.

Posted Aug 12, 2007 2:17 pm PT
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Pit_italy

why should this mean we'll have better games?

Posted Aug 12, 2007 11:42 am PT
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cosmothehound

it means we will see more great games like bioshock.

more money for to make games.

Posted Aug 12, 2007 11:09 am PT
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wakko19991

so what. will this mean the games will be better or someting. why should I as a gamer care...sounds like an internal motivator if anything...

Posted Aug 12, 2007 7:42 am PT
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RedChris

..ok?

Posted Aug 12, 2007 4:57 am PT
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Pete5506

thats good, I gess?

Posted Aug 11, 2007 5:49 pm PT
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360player_eq12

i hate the name 2k....makes me think about dreamcast sports games.

Posted Aug 11, 2007 5:06 pm PT
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loumart08

Lame. If I worked for irrational I would give the person changed the name of my dev team the finger

Posted Aug 11, 2007 4:07 pm PT
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drogaz

Boo...This sucks. Irrational was a much cooler name why couldn't they keep it. Seriously it 2k whatever just makes it sound like a generic corporate studio rather than the innovative developer they are. Hope 2k changes the name back so irrational can have some identity. Fight the power Irrational! Fight the power!

Posted Aug 11, 2007 3:42 pm PT
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Nintendo_Ownes7

The name doesn't really matter, but I did like Irrational better, but what I'm wondering is that since Irrational had to change its name to 2K Boston, and 2K Austrailia. Wy didn't Firaxis have to change its name to 2K Annapolis? since they are located in Annapolis Maryland.

Posted Aug 11, 2007 12:55 pm PT
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Mr_Koenshaku

It's bad enough that these gigantic companies continuously engorge independant developers (and usually stiff them into making/finishing someone else's game for eternity); but at least allow them to keep some of their identity.

EA, Blizzard, Rockstar, and now these guys.... how many more faceless minions do you need?

I know it's not as applicable here (yet); but you still have to wonder how it feels to go from being known for what you do to being just another schmuck on the assembly line for your parent company's next big franchise release.

Posted Aug 11, 2007 12:34 pm PT
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SoralinkGS

Because "Irrational 2k" sounds worse

Posted Aug 11, 2007 9:58 am PT
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smarb001

stop it with the puns, seriously! anyway, cool.

Posted Aug 11, 2007 1:49 am PT
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Incubus420

Wonder if they have any Jobs they need filled in the 2K Boston offices.

KG and the C's take the rings this year!

Posted Aug 10, 2007 11:43 pm PT
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hellfire9988

I predict a GoTY for Bioshock from at least 1 up, gametrailers, IGN, or gamespot, an AAA from gamespot, and at least one AAAA from another site/magazine.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 9:11 pm PT
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R3V3N4N7

Hmmm well thats good I guess.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 8:57 pm PT
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RudeYeT1

Why is it people think Manhunt is a good game? Because it has Rockstar on it?

Posted Aug 10, 2007 8:13 pm PT
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ctg867

I understand them wanting to change the names of their companies to meet the parent companies names, sorta like what Ubisoft and Rockstar do. I'm all for that, as long as they're actually able to publish some better games. Don't forget, that 2K games has published some good and some decent games, so give em a break:

-Call of Cthulhu
-Civilization
-Dungeon Siege
-Jade Empire
-Prey
-Serious Sam
-Sid Meier's Games
-The Darkness
-The Elder Scrolls

Also, you have 2K Sports:

-All Pro Football 2K
-Amped
-College Hoops 2K
-Links
-Major League Baseball 2K
-NBA 2K
-NFL 2K
-NHL 2K
-Top Spin
-The Bigs

Though I think we'd all agree that Rockstar has a much better lineup of games then both those studios.

-Bully
-Grand Theft Auto
-Manhunt
-Max Panye
-Midnight Club
-Oni
-Red Dead Revolver
-Skate and Destroy
-Smuggler's Run
-State of Emergency
-Table Tennis
-The Italian Job
-The Warriors

Over time, they were able to pump out more and more new IPs. Also note that Rockstar has always had the rights to these games, while 2K Games has not always had the rights to some of the games it is publishing. Basically, give 2K Games and 2K Sports a break, they both make good games, just not as good as Rockstar.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 8:08 pm PT
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shortyman920

Well, I never heard of Irrational games, but I definitely know 2k. W/e. I hope they release Bioshock for ps3 so then they can have even more sales. Take Two needs the money.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 7:29 pm PT
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clawboy

How far has this company fallen? So sad.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 7:12 pm PT
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GUTZandRAGE

2K Boston? That's it! I'm not buying any more games made by those clowns.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 7:03 pm PT
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dn3datomiced

Boo! That is a TERRIBLE name change!

2k Boston is so generic. Why not a half/half with something like Irrational 2k?

Posted Aug 10, 2007 7:00 pm PT
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arcsphere

Considering that Irrational Games has built up a lot of respect and there name is synonymous with quailty games, this is stupid. If you tell me a game is being developed by Irrational Games I'm going to be immediately interested. If you tell me about a game developed by 2k Boston I'll probably be indifferent until I make the connection back to Irrational Games.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 6:28 pm PT
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AceDonald

Why the heck did they have to change their name? It wouldn't make any difference!

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:47 pm PT
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GoodkupoBan

I guess this doesn't make much of a difference but it does however make the developers lose it's independence, i guess.
I don't like that Irrational greatness will be masked with the name 2k Boston though.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:26 pm PT
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ppau08223

MangyForestCat i agree with you mate, but still no really cares bout the name of the company as long as the games rock. and personally i think irrational ia a much better name

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:18 pm PT
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LordLeckie

Seems like a strange little move, oh well dosent change anything

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:10 pm PT
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bghattas

Nothing like having companies with cool names like Irrational Games now being saddled with new names like 2K Boston. Hey, as long as the games are great, who cares about the name?

BTW, when Sega allowed their developers to choose their own names, they certainly picked some unusual names. Smilebit? Sega Rosso?

Posted Aug 10, 2007 5:06 pm PT
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MangyForestCat

This is almost but not quite as bad as the Revolution changing to Wii... bleh.... But like comthitnuong says, I guess the name shouldn't matter.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:51 pm PT
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Karmacodelc18

Yeah seriously...who cares about the name of the company. Just give us good games...

Yo 2K good work with All-Pro Football...now add a deep franchise mode and more customization options you'll have a gem.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:49 pm PT
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comthitnuong

Irrational was a much better name..But I guess the name shouldn't matter.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:42 pm PT
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rl_41

I don't care about what your company is named. I care about what your company gives me.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 4:36 pm PT
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Chirico_Cuvie

I don't like the change. Irrational was right up there with BioWare as far as name recognition. Since Bioshock is going to be making most of the profits this year for 2K, they should get to keep the name. I really dislike the whole 2K Boston, or EA Chicago studio naming. It reminds of obnoxious Hard Rock Cafe t-shirts on tourists. I don't care where the studio is, I care what they put out, I didn't even know where Irrational was located, and I've been following Bioshock since 2003. 2K is a stupid name anyway, it reminds me of the old sports games on Dreamcast and the Y2K bug. Change the whole company's name to something else before screwing up the names of studios you own.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 3:55 pm PT
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umbrae

I hope they are not doing this because Bioshock is going to suck. 2K ruins just as many games as EA.

Posted Aug 10, 2007 3:47 pm PT
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fartys

I can go on and on and ooooonnnnnnn! BUT WHO CARES!?

Posted Aug 10, 2007 3:38 pm PT
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Rentago

SpruceCaboose, I don't know what your talking about, Doom was dark hallways 24/7 and even when you get outside you got no more space or light than a dark hallway. Compared to Doom, Bioshock has more. Doom didn't even give a roll playing aspect... Though I understand where you pull this out of. Underwater, is not the same as MARS and ontop of that IT AIN'T SO DARK YOU NEED A FLASH LIGHT. So really, where the hell are you getting this?

Posted Aug 10, 2007 3:27 pm PT
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