It’s been quite a while since fans of theBioShockseries have heard any news concerning the future of the franchise. Although 2K Games recently revealed thatBioShock 4is “in development,” there hasn’t been a peep from the publisher or developer since. This has left many dedicated fans anxious for any information regarding their beloved Steampunk universe and it still feels likeBioShock’sfuture is up in the air.
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Thankfully, it does appear that the gears are turning and thatBioShock 4will eventually be a reality, although it’s not clear just how long it’s going to take for a new developer to realize its vision for the iconic franchise. With E3 2021 coming and going, and no additional news spreading aboutBioShock 4’seventual release, it’s easy to understand why theBioShockfaithful feel so downtrodden. But information could drop in an instant and there’s no reason to think that 2K Games isn’t “all in” on ensuring that the dystopian-themed franchise continues in epic fashion.
Here’s everything we know concerning the development and current state ofBioShock 4.
BioShock 4’s Release Date Prediction & Current Development
It’s been quite a while since fans have seen or heard about a new release in the illustriousBioShockfranchise. The most recent entry,BioShockInfinite, released back in 2013 to critical acclaim, with many gamers absolutely enthralled by its unique Steampunk-inspired environment perched high above the clouds. Now eight years later, the dust has settled and dedicated fans are anxious over the prospect of a new entry in the beloved series.
Is Irrational Games Making BioShock 4?
Unbeknownst to many players,BioShock Infinitewas the last title within the franchise created by Irrational Games, as the studio was effectively down-sized and transformed into Ghost Story Games, a group that plans to work under the 2K Games umbrella towards crafting smaller narrative-driven adventures. Irrational Games' series director Ken Levine discussed his displeasure in working on such a large-scale game in a 2016 interview withRolling Stone. According to Levine, the project negatively affected his health and took a toll on his personal relationships, prompting him to “leave” the studio and form another (with a smaller team). This is definitely sad news for anyone who appreciated the originalBioShockformula that Irrational Games perfected over the years.
Who Is Currently Working On BioShock 4?
Unfortunately, there has been much news from would-be developer 2K Games concerning the next installment. However, we do know that the production ofBioShock 4has been handed over to Cloud Chamber, one of 2K Games' newest internal studios with offices in both San Francisco and Montreal, Canada.BioShock 4will be the first title developed by the newly formed team, but there’s reason to be excited about the current developer. Studio lead Kelley Gilmore was the executive producer at Firaxis games before helping create 2K Games' latest internal team.
Firaxis was responsible for the creation of the long-standing Civilization series, as well as the popular strategy franchise Xcom. It will be interesting to see if these powerhouse hits will inspire any unique mechanics withinBioShock 4, or if any elements of “strategy” are included in the series moving forward.
When Will BioShock 4 Release?
As of writing,there is currently no official release date or window forBioShock 4. There has been much speculation throughout the industry on when players can expect to see the next installment but none of it has been confirmed nor denied by Cloud Chamber or 2K Games.
That hasn’t kept rumors and potential release windows from popping up online. Here’s a look at some of the information players know concerning the release ofBioShock Infiniteand what a potential timeline may look like:
Will BioShock 4 Release On All Major Systems?
Regardless of the release date, some fans are concerned about which systems will get access toBioShock 4and if any particular platform will have any sort of exclusivity over the future title. It’s safe to assume that the upcoming release will likely find its way onto Xbox and PlayStation platforms but the bigger question is whether it will find its way onto last generation’s systems, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Considering developers seeBioShock 4as “several years” away, it’s hard to believe that it will see a release on last-gen consoles. Players also know that the development team is working on the upcoming release for “next-gen consoles,“thanks to some job listings posted back in 2020. Because of this, it’s likelyBioShock 4will target the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. It’s also likely PC gamers will see the title at launch (or at least in general) due to the other three games in the series making their way to Windows. Switch fans are also firmly in the mix, asBioShock Infinite: The Complete Editionlanded on the Nintendo console in 2020.
BioShock 4 Teaser Trailers
As of writing, there have not been any official “first look” or gameplay trailers released forBioShock 4.
What We Know About The Gameplay Of BioShock 4
TheBioShockfranchise features some of the most satisfying gameplay in the first-person shooter genre. The gunplay, mixed with resource management and the use of imaginative Plasmid powers is an experience like no other. It’s pretty challenging too, with some sections of the original trilogy becoming a frantic battle against fast-paced enemies that could swarm players and instantly down them if they weren’t careful. It’s likely thatBioShock 4will feature some of the same mechanics as its predecessors but players could see a lot of new and interesting ideas from Cloud Chamber’s development debut.
What Do We Know About The Setting Of BioShock 4?
Perhaps the most interesting news concerning the nextBioShockrelease is where the game will take place and what kind of environment players will explore.BioShock Infinitecaptivated fans with its transition to the world of Columbia, although it did still feature a DLC-based adventure through Rapture and was closely tied to the original games in both theme and story elements. According to some 2020 job postings at Cloud Chamber, developers are searching for talent to help them breathe “life into a new and fantastical world.” This wording suggests thatBioShock 4will take place in a brand new location and it’s unclear if the new area will have any ties to Columbia or Rapture.
The biggest news so far comes from yet another job listing at Cloud Chamber. According to the description of responsibilities for the Senior Writer position, the company is looking for someone with the skills to “weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting.” This particular listing has set the industry ablaze with rumors and speculations, with many looking towardsBioShock 4as an open-world experience, which would certainly go a long way in shaking up the franchise and helping the upcoming title to stand out on its own in comparison to its predecessors.
What Do We Know About The Gameplay For BioShock 4?
There isn’t much official information concerning what to expect from the combat mechanics inBioShock 4but it’s hard to imagine the release being too different from the original trilogy. Although it’s clear that Cloud Chamber is intent on making their own experience that could possibly stray fairly far from Irrational Games' initial vision, players and fans of the series have come to expect certain gameplay elements from the franchise.
The frantic first-person shooting elements and use of plasmids are perhaps the two most important layers that gamers want to see in aBioShockexperience, and it would be quite strange if Cloud Chamber deviated from that bare minimum. If Plasmids do return, it would be great to see some fan-favorites from previous releases, mixed with new and exciting skills. The sky’s the limit past those mechanics, and it will be interesting to see what the new-and-upcoming developer has planned forBioShock 4. Hopefully, players will be greeted to a fluid open-world experience that features the gunplay, movement, and Plasmid-infused powers that have made BioShock such a successful series in the past.
What We Know About The Story Of BioShock 4
Story is a big part of the quintessentialBioShockexperience. The gameplay has always been incredibly entertaining, fast-paced, and satisfying, but Irrational Games did a fantastic job creating a series of interesting and exhilarating storylines for the original trilogy. Here’s what we know aboutBioShock 4’sstory so far.
Who Are The Protagonist And Antagonist In BioShock 4?
We don’t yet have any solid information regarding any potential characters forBioShock 4and without a “general story” in place, it’s pretty difficult to take a guess at who or what players may play as. With a brand new studio taking the helm and Irrational Games opting out of ever making aBioShocktitle again, it’s possible we could see an entirely new narrative that is completely separate from the original trilogy. Cloud Chamber has a “universe” in which they can work but the canvas is pretty clean concerning characters, storylines, events, and even timelines. After all,BioShock Infiniteitself fiddled with the prospect of time travel and the multiverse theory.
What Is The Story About In BioShock 4?
Much like the character conundrum, there isn’t any official information concerning whatBioShock 4’sstoryline will be about. Players do know that Cloud Chamber wants to create a “fantastical world” and need a writer who can “weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting,” but past that, nothing. It’s a veritable clean slate for the new company and offers them a great opportunity to prove themselves in the gaming space by crafting a truly unique story driven by the building blocks of the establishedBioShockuniverse. It’s a tall order, and the group has some seriously big shoes to fill, with Irrational Games producing some of the best narratives to ever grace the FPS genre.
BioShock 4 Rumors
The rumors have been pretty rampant concerningBioShock 4, mostly due to the fact that players don’t have much information regarding the upcoming release. Without a “who, what, when, where, or why,” fans are busy theory-crafting their own ideas about the franchise and where it could be headed. Everything in this section should definitely be taken with a grain of salt, as none of the information has been confirmed nor denied by Cloud Chamber. Here’s a look at some of the rumors surroundingBioShock 4.
The Zhykionn Leaks
Although there hasn’t been much information regardingBioShock 4, there have still been many rumors swirling thanks to a"leak” from 4Chan user Zhykionn. The “leak” is extensive and makes many claims towards what the nextBioShockwill be, pointing towards the mysterious codename of “Parkside.” None of the following claims have been confirmed nor denied by Cloud Chamber or 2K Games so take everything with a healthy dose of salt. Still, it’s fun to imagine if any of the following ideas are actually part of the nextBioShockadventure. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting bullet points concerning the Zhykionn leak:
It will be very interesting to see if any of the information above will come to light as we gain more information aboutBioShock 4in the future.
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