Ken Levine recently shed light on a project that could have been a remarkable addition to the gaming world, but never saw the light of the day.
In a nostalgic reflection, Levine hailed Division 9, a co-op survival horror shooter by Irrational Games, as the “best game we never got to make.” This revelation comes as Levine and his newly formed studio, Ghost Story Games, continue their work on the BioShock-inspired sci-fi FPS, Judas.
Division 9 was conceptualized in the mid-2000s, around the time the critically acclaimed director and the creator of the BioShock franchise and his team were working on SWAT 4, a classic tactical FPS that achieved both commercial and critical success. The game was set in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse, a premise familiar yet intriguing to gamers. Players would have banded together to gather resources, build a base, and rescue survivors, a gameplay mechanic that would’ve made it a predecessor to State of Decay albeit with a first-person perspective. The project was ambitious and innovative, combining elements of survival horror with cooperative gameplay, aiming to offer a unique experience in the zombie game genre.
This, no doubt, is the best game we never got to make. https://t.co/6Hf6tOyCK1
— Ken Levine (@levine) November 11, 2023
Levine’s recent response to the screenshots and information shared by the user, Obscure Game Aesthetics, on X not only showcased his fondness for the project but also shed some light on the potential impact Division 9 could’ve had on the gaming industry.e. The game was initially envisioned as SWAT: Special Division before evolving into Division 9. Levine’s goal for the project was to be a blend of tactical shooter elements with horror themes, something that would later find its way in some aspects of the Left4Dead series, a seminal pair of games that has since spawned several wannabe’s and spiritual successors over the past decade.
However, Division 9’s development journey was halted before it could progress beyond a proof of concept demo. The game was eventually shelved due to situational constraints, including Irrational Games’ acquisition by 2K, which shifted the focus to the development of BioShock. The existing footage of Division 9 reveals a game that could have offered a slower, more tactical approach to battling monster hordes, a concept that was quite ahead of its time.
Levine’s career has been marked by innovation and a willingness to push boundaries, though not without its challenges. His work on BioShock Infinite, for instance, involved multiple internal reboots and a final year of development without his oversight due to constant changes. This pattern of rebooting and reimagining projects is a testament to Levine’s commitment to his creative vision, even when it leads to difficult decisions.
The legacy of SWAT 4, the precursor to Division 9, still resonates with gamers today, two decades after its release. The game’s influence is evident in the numerous spiritual successors and inspired projects that have emerged, though many have yet to be completed. This ongoing interest in SWAT 4’s tactical gameplay underscores the potential Division 9 had to leave a similar lasting impact.
As Levine and Ghost Story Games focus on Judas, set to release by March 2025, fans can only speculate about what the canceled project might have become. The project remains a fascinating what-if in the history of gaming, a glimpse into an alternate reality where Levine’s vision for a co-op survival horror shooter came to fruition.
Despite its cancellation, Division 9 serves as a reminder of the creativity and ambition that drive the gaming industry, even when projects don’t reach completion.
As for BioShock, the fourth game is reportedly stuck in development hell and is many years away from completion. If it’s any consolation, a live-action adaptation on Netflix is in development with Michael Green at the helm, and the Logan writer appears to be a huge fan of the franchise.
