There’s officially a new BioShock game in the works. While we don’t know if it’s called BioShock 4 or something entirely different, publisher 2K Games has announced that it’s definitely on the way and that its new studio Cloud Chamber Studios is at the development helm.
The announcement of BioShock 4 in late 2019 followed substantial rumors earlier that same year that the game was in the works and had been for some time. However, 2K games stated in no uncertain terms that the game will be “in development for the next several years” so we’re expecting to have to wait a little longer before its launch.
That said, now that we’re into 2021, we’re hoping we might finally be approaching the time when we’ll start seeing more solid information about what we can expect from the game, if not some hint of a potential release date.
Below, we’ve gathered together all the news and rumors about BioShock 4 below, alongside our hopes for the next BioShock game. Keep reading to find out more.
[Update: A recent Cloud Chamber job listing suggests the studio could be using Unreal Engine 5 in the development of BioShock 4. Read on to find out more.]
BioShock 4 release date
While we're certainly excited for the next BioShock game, it looks like it'll be a while before we actually get our hands on it.
In a tweet officially announcing a new BioShock is in the works in 2019, publisher 2K Games stated that work has begun on the next iteration of the BioShock franchise but that the game "will be in development for the next several years".
It may not be the most welcome news, but this does give us an idea about what platforms BioShock 4 will release on. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X now available, we'll almost certainly be seeing a new BioShock releasing on these platforms (and probably on PC too). Whether the title will also release on last generation consoles is less certain; it kind of depends on when the sequel releases.
BioShock 4 news and rumors
Unreal Engine 5
A recent job listing at Cloud Chamber games, developers of BioShock 4, suggests the team could be developing the game using Epic’s Unreal Engine 5. In the ad for a Senior Gameplay Programmer it states that the candidate will “work within Unreal Engine 5 adapting existing systems and building new technology in order to fulfil the project’s technical needs and creative goals.”
If BioShock 4 is being developed using Epic’s latest, next-gen engine it bodes well for how the game will look as Epic’s recent demo footage of the engine in use on PS5 and Xbox Series X was very impressive.
A possible PS5 exclusive?
There’s a rumor going around (via ComicBook) that Sony could be pursuing BioShock 4 as a PS5 exclusive in some capacity, whether outright or timed.
On an episode of the Xbox Era podcast, host Nick “Shpeshal_Ed” Baker said that he has heard from unnamed sources that Sony is going after BioShock 4 as a PlayStation exclusive. According to Baker, he wasn't given many details about the current situation and couldn’t say for certain whether any deal being made would make the game an outright exclusive or a timed exclusive, though he did say he would assume the latter.
Of course, this remains nothing more than a rumor at the moment and, even if Sony is in talks for exclusivity, there’s no certainty that any deal would be made.
More job listings suggest the next BioShock will be open-world
In yet another piece of juicy gossip supplied by a new round of job listings, it appears that Cloud Chamber will be taking BioShock in a different direction this time out, with the developer actively searching for someone "who can weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting."
Another job listing also point to the upcoming BioShock implementing an "urban crowd system" with a "systemic tribal ecology" backed by a "sometimes hostile AI". It's said the person who ultimately gets the job will need to "push the envelope of what is possible with interactive crowd systems".
Clues given by more job listings point to a new setting
When you’re short of formal announcements about a game, sometimes there are things to be gleaned from its job listings. That’s proven to be the case with BioShock 4, as some Cloud Chamber Games job listings spotted by Twitter user MauroNL (via IGN) suggest that the game won’t be set in Rapture or Columbia, the settings for previous games in the series.
As pointed out by MauroNL “Several job listings ask: ‘we want you to help us breathe life into a new and fantastical world.’, which suggests the game having a new setting and not a return to Rapture or Columbia. ‘Together, we will set the stage for a stunning narrative and systems-driven experience’.”
While this clearly isn’t a confirmation on where the game is – or isn’t – set, it certainly does suggest that BioShock 4 will take us somewhere new, which wouldn’t be an unwelcome change and would allow Cloud Chamber Games to really make its mark on the BioShock universe.
Take-Two financial report
Take-Two Interactive recently published a financial report which makes a mention of BioShock 4. A very small mention but a mention nonetheless. According to this report it'll be quite a while before we see BioShock 4 as it "will be in development for the next several years". This is pretty much as expected—although it was reported that the game has been in the works for years, it was also noted that its development has been rebooted in that time so it's unsurprising that it's going to be a few more years before we get to play it. Nonetheless it's always good to manage expectations.
Job listings
Cloud Chamber Studios is working on the next BioShock title and the some job listings (via GamesRadar) the studio has posted can give us small insights into BioShock 4, or at least what the development team is working to bring to the game.
One listing for a Senior AI Engineer mentions "high ambitions" for tying AI and storytelling together in this "strongly narrative and systemic game". The game will have "several AI systems" for this person to work on including an "urban crowd system and the systemic tribal ecology of a sometimes hostile AI".
Another listing for a Lead Combat/AI Designer tells prospective applicants they'll be working on developing "an FPS combat paradigm that is accessible, satisfying, and allows for a high degree of player expression and experimentation within a highly reactive world" and that they will have to think "beyond direct conflict, accommodate various play-styles and design encounters that can be resolved through player ingenuity."
It's not a huge amount to go on but it does suggest an ambitious approach is being taken with BioShock 4 and that the game will continue, and potentially even enhance, the flexible approach taken by previous instalments.
In the works for years
According to a report by Kotaku, a new BioShock has quietly been in the works for years.
"What 2K didn’t say is that this project has already been in the works since at least 2015, although it’s been rebooted since then," writes Kotaku's Jason Schreier.
Official announcement
Publisher 2K Games took to Twitter to announce a new instalment in the bestselling videogame franchise.
While there's no indication of where the game might be set, and its connection to the existing characters and environments established in previous titles, we do know that 2K is setting up a whole new development studio – "Cloud Chamber, purveyors of fine videogames" – to work on the unnamed BioShock title, which will be "in development for the next several years".
Today, 2K announced the founding of Cloud Chamber, its newest development studio. This team of storytellers has begun work on the next iteration of the acclaimed @BioShock franchise, which will be in development for the next several years.Learn more: https://t.co/L5hMVADxvY pic.twitter.com/SPvVVZoFCQDecember 9, 2019
Initial rumors - confirmed
The first substantial rumors about a new BioShock game emerged in April, 2019. In an article about the current goings on at Mafia 3 development studio, Hangar 13, Kotaku reported that there’s a studio located right next door and the team within is working on the early stages of the next BioShock game, codenamed Parkside. We now a new BioShock is definitely in the works.
BioShock 4: what we want to see
Return to Rapture
While it was nice to venture out of the underwater city of Rapture in BioShock: Infinite, it didn't quite feel the same. Sure there were some nostalgic scenes and the Burial at Sea DLC let us pop in once again, but we want to return properly this time.
Perhaps BioShock 4 could see us returning to a new Rapture, one that society has tried to reclaim and spruce up following the events of the previous games. If not, then we would love another wonderfully atmospheric city in a similar vein.
Big Daddies and Little Sisters
Sure, they're a bit creepy but we love them. More importantly, they're a big part of why many of us love BioShock but weren't really big players in BioShock: Infinite. We hope to see them return in the next one.
Explore the lore more
While it can sometimes be confusing, BioShock's lore and narrative is intriguing and we love the webs that have been weaved across the previous games. We're hoping 2K strive to build more on it, perhaps throwing in some more twists.
New Vigors
A big part of what makes BioShock so much fun are the Vigors you can play around with. While it would be great to see the return of our favorites, we want some new Vigors to try out and combine.
- BioShock revisited: unpicking the complex, messy legacy of 2K's knockout franchise
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