BioShock Dev Irrational Posts Job Openings Referring to Narrative FPSes

New job openings at Irrational Games have been posted online and potentially offer some insight into the BioShock studio's next project.

There are currently two openings on Irrational's website (via Polygon). The first of these is for a gameplay systems designer and tuner who will work on Irrational's "unannounced next project." The listing refers to "player abilities, enemies, and obstacles to be overcome, plus the systems that tie everything together." It also talks about desiring a candidate with an "[e]xtensive understanding of the systems design process including damage tuning, loot tables, cooldowns, resources, upgrade systems, etc."

There are specific references to Borderlands and Shadow of Mordor, as Irrational would like someone familiar with "semi-open or open-world game[s]" such as those. Creative director Ken Levine has previously praised Shadow of Mordor and its flexible narrative.

Perhaps most tellingly, Irrational says that having a "[p]assion for narrative first-person shooters" is "a plus." While that hardly confirms that Irrational's new game is a story-driven shooter, that description does describe the type of game that it's best known for.

The other job opening is for a QA manager position. This listing also mentions narrative FPSes, as well as experience testing Unreal Engine games (the engine Irrational is using) and launching PC games on Steam. This reiterates that Irrational's next game will come to PC, which would be no surprise as this has been true of every game the company has ever developed.

Of course, that history isn't necessarily indicative of anything at this point. Irrational as we knew it was shuttered in early 2014 following the release of BioShock Infinite. Levine planned to stay on board with a small team for a "smaller, more entrepreneurial" endeavor. And while we continue to refer to this new group as Irrational, the QA manager listing refers to the job as being "at the studio formally known as Irrational Games."

There's been very little talk of what the studio's next game will be, though we know it's sci-fi. Earlier this year, Levine revealed it will be about "fluid relationships with the characters." More recently, the CEO of Take Two (Irrational's parent company) suggested the new game will be "something highly creative and innovative."

As for BioShock, the series remains a "permanent franchise" for Take Two subsidiary 2K Games, but future plans for it remain undisclosed beyond the fact that 2K Marin will be in charge.