BioShock 2 released earlier this year to mediocrity from both fans of the franchise and critics. Despite the growing popularity of the original, BioShock 2 defied the anticipation gamers had by delivering a washed down experience that couldn’t keep up with the first encounter gamers had with Rapture. Considering BioShock Infinite is taking the franchise in an entirely new direction, it could spell the end for Rapture and potentially the underwater world we’ve grown to love.

The creator of this world, Ken Levine, has been hit pretty hard with the decision to maneuver away from Rapture. He recently spoke with CVG about the topic and he sounded pretty emotional about it.

“It was a very challenging and a very difficult thing for me not to do more Rapture,” he said, “it was very, very difficult. Leaving Rapture was very, very personally difficult for me. It was very difficult, it was my whole life. I don’t have kids, it’s like my child. I feel that connection to Andrew Ryan, Sander Cohen – a sick group of people to feel a connection to but I do!

“I just felt that we had said all we needed to say about it… at the time. I mean, never say never. But right now that’s how we feel about it.”

For those of you still wanting to explore Rapture, don’t start holding your breath just yet. Levine is unsure if we’ll ever make a trip back to the splicers under the sea, but he also makes note that you should never say never.

“Yeah. I mean, life’s a long time. But I’d HAVE to have an idea that drove that. I’d have to spring from the idea.”