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.

The closure followed Levine's personal struggles during BioShock Infinite's development, leading to his departure but not the studio's demise as he initially anticipated. He acknowledges his inability to effectively lead during that period, stating, "I don’t think I was in any state to be a good leader." Irrational, renowned for System Shock 2 and the BioShock series, ultimately faced closure. Levine aimed to mitigate the impact on employees, striving for "the least painful lay-off" with transition packages and ongoing support.

Looking ahead, the anticipation for BioShock 4 is high. While an official release date remains elusive, fan speculation points towards an open-world setting, potentially incorporating lessons learned from BioShock Infinite's reception. Levine himself suggests a BioShock remake could have been a suitable project for Irrational. The game's legacy, despite its melancholic tone, continues to resonate with players.