BioShock 4 has been in development for quite some time, but this installment is not being led by Ken Levine. Eleven years ago he closed Irrational Games and stepped away from the BioShock franchise he created. After many years, Levine has finally spoken candidly about the reasons for his departure.
Although a long time has passed since the release of BioShock Infinite, the franchise endures, while its creator has moved on to a new intellectual property — Judas — which he says will be markedly different from the established series.
In a recent interview on YouTube, Levine admitted he has no intention of returning to the franchise he launched in 2007 and left in 2014. He explained that, despite his attachment, he walked away because he had achieved what he set out to accomplish. Levine also noted that the sequel ran counter to his creative aims: after finishing the original BioShock he did not want to make a direct follow-up.
Levine said he prefers to concentrate on a single project at a time. That’s why he chose Judas — it provides him with full creative control, and all decisions, feedback, and responsibility for the product rest solely with him.
Source: iXBT.games