Well, my point is, that the game they have done before is niche market. Not big budget - and high risk - but the game they've done has been very well recieved by fans and press.
I didn't know that 2K owned Irriational, i was just typing out of assumption that 2K was their publisher.
And in that light, when the publisher take chances, they usually make sure they do make a profit, and the company that looses is the company developing the title. And since Irrational were doing niche market games, they probably didn't have big budget, from their own pocket, to spend, so they - or Ken - would have to work hard to assure they got fundings to make the game they wanted. And seeing, the red numbers, knowing that they never would get black - 2K offered a deal.
And i HAVE ABSOLUTLY NO IDEA about this. Just painting a scenario, where Irrational was a company, and 2K the publisher.
(Which your link clearly negate - so i was totally off my mark, but i was just doomsday speculating anyway)
I am just another example of that the ordinary forum going is typing out of his arse.
... oh, you forgot System Shock II. The only reason i care about what happen to Irrational is System Shock II.