Ken Levine reflects on the unexpected closure of Irrational Games following the success of BioShock Infinite, describing the decision as "complicated." He reveals that the studio's shutdown, a surprise to most, occurred despite his belief that Irrational would continue operating under Take-Two Interactive's ownership. "I thought they were going to continue. But it wasn’t my company," Levine stated.

Levine, Irrational's creative director and co-founder, led the development of the acclaimed BioShock franchise. The studio's closure in 2014, after BioShock Infinite's release, was followed by its rebranding as Ghost Story Games in 2017. This event occurred amidst a challenging period for the video game industry, marked by significant layoffs at various prominent studios.

In a recent interview with Edge Magazine (as reported by PC Gamer), Levine elaborated on his personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, which contributed to his decision to leave Irrational. He expressed regret that he wasn't in a position to effectively lead the studio during that time. He also revealed efforts to make the layoffs as painless as possible, including providing generous transition packages.

The anticipation for BioShock 4 is high, with many believing the upcoming title can learn from the experiences surrounding BioShock Infinite's release. While announced five years ago, an official release date remains unconfirmed as 2K and Cloud Chamber Studios continue development. Speculation points towards a potential open-world setting, while retaining the series' signature first-person perspective. Levine even suggested that a BioShock remake would have been a suitable project for Irrational to undertake.