BioShock creator KEN LEVINE reveals why he spent 10 years building his most personal game yet - where relationships are living systems that track hundreds of your choices and genuinely change how characters feel about you.

Ken Levine is the creative director of Ghost Story Games and legendary founder of Irrational Games. He created the BioShock series and System Shock 2 - games that earned multiple Game of the Year awards and redefined narrative storytelling in gaming. After BioShock Infinite, he made the controversial decision to close a 200-person studio and start over with a small team, spending the last decade developing revolutionary "Narrative LEGO" technology for his new game, Judas.

In this conversation, Ken reveals:

◼️ Why his Atari 2600 was his best friend growing up - and how childhood loneliness shaped his career

◼️ The brutal truth: "We were lost for 5 years" in Judas development

◼️ How Judas characters track hundreds of player actions and genuinely change their feelings about you

◼️ The quality standard that transformed his creative process.

◼️ Why he walked away from guaranteed BioShock to risk everything on an experiment

◼️ What George Orwell's 1984 taught him about game design

◼️ The vending machine confession: why he created his most autobiographical character yet

◼️ Why games matter to people and how they provide refuge

TIMESTAMPED CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Introduction to Ken Levine and His Work

(00:59) Ken Levine's Journey and Inspirations

(03:23) The Concept of Narrative Lego

(08:13) Building Complex Relationships in Games

(09:52) Challenges and Evolution in Game Development

(14:15) Influences and Reflections on the Gaming Industry

(29:51) Philosophical and Literary Influences

(34:38) Exploring Horror as Metaphor

(35:07) Family Dynamics in Storytelling

(35:51) Political Themes and Personal Reflections

(37:29) The Role of Ideology in Games

(42:56) Character Development and Narrative Depth

(44:29) Challenges and Rewards of Game Development

(1:00:07) Adapting Games to Other Media

(1:03:59) Final Thoughts and Reflections

Follow Ken Levine:

Ghost Story Games - https://www.ghoststorygames.com/

Watch the Judas Official Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5_r-un--bA

Ken's GDC Talk on Narrative LEGO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58FWUkA8y2Q

Play the BioShock Series: https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/sub/127633

Subscribe for more deep dives with legendary game creators

📺 Watch Next: The REAL Reason Hollywood Only Makes Sequels Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJ29cn0XZw&t=24s

💬 Drop a comment: What game world gave you a place to escape to when you needed it most?

Ken Levine's approach to game development has always prioritized deep narrative design and player agency. From his early work on System Shock 2 to the critically acclaimed BioShock series, Levine has consistently pushed boundaries in video game storytelling. His new project, Judas, represents a decade of game development focused on creating dynamic character relationships through innovative Narrative LEGO systems. The BioShock creator's journey from Irrational Games to Ghost Story Games showcases how AAA game development can embrace experimental design while maintaining immersive sim traditions. This interview explores game design philosophy, the creative process behind building revolutionary AI-driven character systems, and why emotional storytelling in games matters more than ever.

#KenLevine #BioShock #GameDevelopment #Judas #GhostStoryGames

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Stefan Lampinen has been gaming's secret weapon for 40 years. He launched Xbox 360 in Russia when everyone said it was impossible. He watched the rise and fall of Nokia. He was in the room when Minecraft turned down buyers flying in with blank checks. Now he's breaking his silence on what's really coming in 2025 and why the industry's about to change forever.

This conversation reveals the shifts happening RIGHT NOW that will determine gaming's next decade.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – The Gift from Bill Gates.

2:45 – 18 years old. Opens game store, becomes Nordic's gaming gateway.

8:30 – Xbox 360: How they beat PlayStation to digital.

15:20 – "Russia was impossible" - How he conquered it anyway.

22:15 – Nokia beat iPhone by 4 years (and still failed spectacularly. Why)

28:40 – Why Sweden is gaming's best sandbox.

35:10 – Inside Minecraft's war room (shielding them from the world's buyers).

42:30 – "The industry just hit maturity" - What that actually means.

48:15 – GTA 6 will eat EVERYTHING (The industry doesn't understand what's coming).

52:40 – Europe's studios are dying - The exodus nobody's discussing.

58:20 – The Last of Us changed the game (Hollywood finally gets it).

1:04:00 – Saudi Arabia's power play (it's not what you think).

1:08:30 – His #1 career lesson after 40 years.

KEY REVELATIONS

"People were flying in from all over the world wanting to buy Minecraft. My job was to shield them."

"GTA 6 is going to take enormous amounts of players and money from EVERYTHING. The industry doesn't understand what's coming."

"Sweden had 70% gaming penetration because we don't dub. We had to learn English. We had to think global from day one."

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“There was never a video game curse. Just bad producers who didn't play or respect or appreciate games.” – Dmitri M. Johnson, Story Kitchen

Hollywood’s video game curse? Total myth! Sonic and The Last of Us show adaptations thrive when creators respect games. With 3 billion gamers worldwide, game-to-screen hits are soaring. As an ex-EA gamer, I’m pumped to share this episode with Story Kitchen’s Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg (Sonic, Tomb Raider, Streets of Rage).

We unpack why game movies fail, Sonic’s 10-year saga, and 2025’s hottest adaptations. Subscribe for more gaming insights!

What You’ll Learn:

> 0:28 – Sonic’s 10-year fight to the screen

> 5:14 – Passion-driven IP picks

> 12:39 – Netflix’s adaptation boom

> 21:49 – Future game franchises to watch

> 28:31 – Tomb Raider’s evolution

> 33:31 – Keys to killer creative teams

> 46:32 – Next big game-to-screen hits

Love games or films? Comment your dream adaptation - Mass Effect, Payday, or A Plague Tale?

Watch on YouTube for the best experience

Share and subscribe!

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Deadpool’s co-creator Fabian Nicieza on storytelling's future, AI’s threat to creativity, and why characters still save lives.

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode, Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza joins Peter Bell on the Purpose Made podcast to talk about what it really means to build enduring characters and what’s being lost in today’s race toward AI-driven content.

Fabian reflects on four decades in storytelling, from Marvel's golden era to transmedia’s unrealised promise, and shares the emotional weight of creating characters that help people navigate trauma, cancer, and loss.

He also dives deep into the creative and moral challenge AI poses to future generations of artists. This isn’t just an industry conversation, it’s a human one.

Whether you’re a writer, founder, or fan of good stories, this is the episode that challenges you to ask: What kind of world are we building?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: From Marvel to Deadpool

04:32 – Deadpool’s origin and emotional impact

12:15 – The evolution of storytelling (simplicity to complex simplicity)

18:40 – The Deadpool effect: humour + trauma = healing

28:55 – AI and the end of creativity

43:00 – Transmedia: Dream vs. Reality

55:15 – How creatives should handle fandom backlash

01:02:30 – Can stories still survive without storytellers?

Guest Bio:

Fabian Nicieza is a legendary writer and editor known for his iconic work at Marvel Comics, including X-Men, X-Force, and co-creating Deadpool. With a career spanning 40+ years, he’s also worked with DC Comics, Mattel, Acclaim, and Starlight Runner. His novels Suburban Dick's and The Self-Made Widow received critical acclaim, including an Edgar Award nomination.

Resource Links:

Fabian’s book: Suburban Dick's (https://amzn.to/4kF17BD)

Purpose Made website: www.purposemade.uk

Listen on Spotify: Purpose Made Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/66hrGrtDSwBJUzIGF6f5eg?si=4d7031600d3c433e)

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on purpose, creativity & the future: https://www.youtube.com/@UCftFt-Pd7xe1f0XY0K-dX4w

Connect with Fabian Nicieza:

• Twitter/X: @FabianNicieza

• Website: fabiannicieza.com

#Deadpool #FabianNicieza #Storytelling #AIandCreativity #PurposeMadePodcast #Transmedia #Marvel #CreativeProcess #FutureOfArt

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Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner & architect behind Marvel, Spider-Man, & Pirates of the Caribbean transmedia universes and more, reveals how storytelling is evolving in the digital age & why narrative shapes reality. In this profound conversation, Jeff shares his journey from a traumatic childhood in 1960s NYC to becoming the pioneer behind transmedia storytelling for the world's biggest franchises. Discover how Jeff's early escape into Japanese media like Godzilla laid the foundation for his revolutionary approach to creating interconnected story worlds across multiple platforms. Jeff reveals the shift from the traditional hero's journey to what he calls "collective journey narratives" - a storytelling model designed for our interconnected world. He explains how this approach has not only transformed entertainment but has been applied to address real-world crises in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan. Learn why Jeff believes AI will dramatically change how stories are created while potentially threatening authentic human connection. The conversation explores why world-building comes before character development in transmedia, why Hollywood often treats IP as a funnel rather than a framework, and how ethical considerations must guide immersive environments.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Power and Wisdom of Storytelling

00:21 Jeff Gomez: From Chaos to Creativity

01:49 The Birth of a Storyteller

04:40 Early Influences: Godzilla and Japanese Media

08:06 Dungeons and Dragons: A Gateway to Story Worlds

09:07 From Fanzines to Professional Storytelling

11:22 World Building in Magic: The Gathering

13:09 Transmedia Storytelling in Hollywood

23:32 The Collective Journey: A New Narrative Model

28:27 Transmedia for Social Change

32:49 The Evolution of Social Media Personas

34:15 Impact of Social Media on Emotional Well-being

34:33 Narrative in the Digital Age

36:07 Story World Architecture and World Building

37:58 Audience Interaction and Fan Engagement

39:07 Geosynchronous Storytelling and Content Discoverability

40:24 Video Games and Narrative Adaptations

42:11 Current Trends in Storytelling

45:40 The Role of AI in Human Relationships

50:29 Hope for the Future of Storytelling

52:41 Transmedia Storytelling: Origins and Evolution

57:09 Emotional Resonance in Story Worlds

59:03 Ethical Considerations in Immersive Content

01:00:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

ABOUT JEFF GOMEZ:

Jeff Gomez is the CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment and a leading expert in story world development and narrative design. His pioneering work in transmedia storytelling has shaped how major franchises expand across multiple platforms. Jeff has contributed to blockbuster properties including Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Avatar, Halo, and Men in Black. His innovative approach to narrative has been applied not only in entertainment but also in addressing sociopolitical challenges worldwide.

EPISODE SUMMARY:

This conversation explores how storytelling is evolving in our digital age, the shift from hero's journey to collective narratives, and why Jeff believes that "if we have the power of Gods, we require the wisdom of Gods to use that power - and wisdom comes out of narrative." Learn how proper story architecture creates emotional resonance, why Hollywood often mismanages IP development, and how AI is transforming both storytelling and human relationships.

📱 CONNECT WITH JEFF:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgomez/

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Entertainment attorney Simon Pulman (Prior Cashman, NYC) reveals how to build billion-dollar transmedia franchises without risking studio collapse. Learn the formula top 1% of adaptations use.

The entertainment industry faces its biggest paradigm shift in decades. While Hollywood struggles with declining theatre attendance and rising production costs, gaming properties are creating the most successful adaptations in history. Entertainment lawyer Simon Pulman breaks down exactly why this is happening and how it's transforming deal structures across the industry.

In this eye-opening conversation, Pulman reveals how individual incentives are driving risk-aversion across studios, why original scripts have been replaced by IP acquisitions, and the shocking truth about how "Hollywood created Netflix" through short-term financial decisions that destroyed their long-term business model.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction to Simon Pulman's expertise

02:14 Why original scripts dominated in the 90s vs franchise dominance today

04:35 The audience shift: Why people won't leave home for cinema anymore

07:18 How international content (Squid Game, anime) is reshaping Hollywood

10:47 Snow White remake failure: Budget vs ROI analysis

13:30 Community: The undervalued asset Hollywood ignores but gaming understands

17:42 The Holy Trinity of successful adaptations: Last of Us, Fallout, Mario

21:36 Why honoring IP is non-negotiable for successful adaptations

26:55 How transmedia success drives game sales - the feedback loop

30:10 The weekly episode model vs. binge culture for deeper engagement

33:22 Netflix's gaming strategy: Can they leverage their IPs effectively?

39:08 BioWare's storytelling potential beyond games

43:15 The new deal paradigm: How game companies flipped Hollywood's ownership model

49:40 Roblox's untapped potential: Why it's creating tomorrow's entertainment moguls

56:28 AI's complex entertainment industry implications

57:45 Entertainment predictions for next 12 months

About Simon Pulman:

Simon Pulman is an entertainment attorney with Prior Cashman in New York City, specialising in deals across television, motion pictures, podcasts, video games, and publishing. He helps companies develop, produce, and finance media projects during a period of unprecedented technological and audience behaviour change.

The Transmedia Revolution:

This episode explores how successful properties like The Last of Us have created a virtuous cycle where shows drive game sales and games build audience anticipation for new seasons - all while maintaining the core emotional elements that connected with audiences originally.

Join the Conversation:

What gaming property do you think deserves the Last of Us treatment next? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Connect with Simon:

Find Simon Pulman on LinkedIn for more insights on entertainment law and industry trends.

Subscribe for more industry insights:

🎮 YouTube:‪@PurposeMadePodcast‬

🎧 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/66hrGrt...

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In this episode, I sit down with retired Navy SEAL commander and performance expert Rich Diviney who reveals the revolutionary "Mastering Uncertainty Method" - a science-backed approach that elite military operators use to thrive under pressure when things don't go according to plan.

Drawing from over two decades of experience leading and training top performers (including founding the SEALs' "Mind Gym"), Rich breaks down how anyone can harness uncertainty as an advantage rather than a liability. We explore how Navy SEALs develop mental toughness, make decisive decisions under extreme pressure, and leverage their innate human capabilities to excel in chaotic environments.

Rich shares practical strategies to:

Transform uncertain moments into opportunities

Tap into your body's natural performance engine during difficult challenges

Maintain composure under pressure

Improve performance when stakes are highest

Understand your "raw self" to determine optimal actions in any scenario

Avoid the traps causing 95% of teams to underperform

Build the four domains of trust essential to high-performing teams

Whether facing uncertainty in your personal or professional life, this conversation provides actionable insights to develop the mindset of an elite operator.

As Simon Sinek says about Rich's work: "Easy to understand and simple to implement, Masters of Uncertainty is essential for any person or team that wants to operate even better than they do now."

As Andrew Huberman writes in the foreword to Rich's latest book, and the focal point of today's podcast, Masters of Uncertainty: "This book is a practical guide for how to wake up and be the most effective version of yourself, how to bring that to all your life's challenges, and (most importantly) how to perpetually bounce upward and forward when pushed back or under pressure... and in so doing, exceed your previous self and performance—over and over and over."

"People like Rich Diviney are rare: because of what they know, for what they have proved capable of doing, and for their ability to teach it to others... This book will powerfully shift how you view and approach life—its challenges and its less challenging moments too—for the better."

Grab a Copy of The Books Here:

- Masters of Uncertainty: https://amzn.to/41RdlB1

- The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance: https://amzn.to/42aEdLh

Special Offer:

Unlock Your Leadership Potential. Use the code PETERBELL15 to get a 15% discount on The Attributes Assessment at theattributes.com.

Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe now!

Host: Peter Bell

Guest: Rich Diviney

Pete's Socials:

Website ▹ https://www.purposemade.uk/

LinkedIn ▹ https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-george-bell/

Instagram ▹ https://www.instagram.com/thepeterbell/

Rich's Socials:

Website ▹ https://theattributes.com/all-attributes/

LinkedIn ▹ https://www.linkedin.com/in/richdiviney/

Instagram ▹ https://www.instagram.com/rich_diviney/?hl=en

This podcast was recorded and produced by Purpose Made, dedicated to helping you achieve your highest potential.

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