When Bioshock was released in 2007, it exceeded expectations. The game introduced us to the captivating world of Rapture, a city submerged beneath the ocean, and delivered one of gaming’s most surprising plot twists. Its sequel, Bioshock Infinite, kept the same setting, but transported us to a new dystopia suspended in the clouds. Like Assassin’s Creed, these games have become synonymous with their environments, leaving fans eager to discover the next breathtaking location. While original creator Ken Levine has moved on to Judas, 2K entrusted Cloud Chamber Studios with the development of a new Bioshock installment in 2019. Despite the time that has passed, many questions remain unanswered. Let’s dive into everything we know about Bioshock 4.
Neither 2K nor Cloud Chamber has revealed a release date for Bioshock 4. The latest unofficial update surfaced on LinkedIn through GamesRadar. Senior cinematic designer Jeff Spoonhower posted: “The Bioshock team at 2K Cloud Chamber is ramping up! We have many positions open across a variety of disciplines including art, animation, engineering, design, narrative, and production.” This suggests the game was only in preproduction up until now, implying we’ll likely wait another two to three years before Bioshock 4 is finished.
Considering the game’s entry into full production in 2024, it seems safe to assume Bioshock 4 will be exclusive to current-generation consoles, meaning PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
No official trailers or screenshots of Bioshock 4 have been released to entice fans. However, a leaked screenshot appeared online, seemingly showing a build of the game featuring a weapon, UI elements, and a glowing tower. MP1st, the source of the image, claims it originated from a visual effects artist at 2K who acquired it from a 2021 demo build. If true, significant changes might have been implemented since.
Even before this leaked image, there were two prominent rumors surrounding Bioshock 4’s setting. The most substantial claim suggests the game will take place in a 1960s-era city in Antarctica called Borealis. Limited information was provided beyond the connection to previous games in the series. Another speculation indicates the game might, or at one time was planned to be, an open world. This stems from a job posting discovered by PCGamesN, which at the time, sought someone who could craft impactful, character-driven stories within an open-world setting. This would be a substantial departure from the linear structure the series has maintained until now.
The core gameplay of Bioshock games has remained consistent. While new additions and mechanics will undoubtedly be present, we anticipate Bioshock 4 to focus on first-person shooting and powers. The nature of these powers and how they are justified in the setting remain to be seen. Bioshock has adhered to a linear structure with occasional backtracking. If the leak about Bioshock 4 being open world is accurate, we expect the entire city—whatever its final form may be—to be fully explorable from the start, without the typical sectioned-off approach. Our prediction is that it will resemble the structure of a game like Prey rather than aiming for a massive, sprawling experience.
Bioshock 4 remains shrouded in secrecy and is likely several years away. As soon as 2K and Cloud Chamber are prepared to announce a release date and preorder information, we’ll keep you updated.
