User blog comment:D.Ryan/Irrational Games Disbanded! Future of BioShock Series Uncertain!/@comment-24171094-20140219052839/@comment-6024608-20140225085811

If they have no current project, then there often isnt any money to 'keep staff on retainer'.

Under 2K, under Rockstar,  there are probably other running projects to apply talented/competant people to.