Recent reports suggest a turbulent future for the BioShock series. According to Bloomberg, the upcoming BioShock 4, a game from developer Cloud Chamber first announced in 2019, has reportedly `failed a review.` A key concern highlighted in the report is the game`s narrative, which was identified as being “particularly in need of improvement” and is now slated for a complete overhaul.
Adding to these challenges, Cloud Chamber`s studio head, Kelley Gilmore, was reportedly “ousted” by 2K Games, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante has been reassigned to a “publishing role.” A recent all-hands meeting at Cloud Chamber, where leaders emphasized the need to be “more agile and efficient,” has reportedly sparked concerns about potential layoffs among staff. Meanwhile, a planned remake of the original BioShock game was “shelved earlier this year,” further indicating shifts in the franchise`s direction.
Despite these internal shake-ups, a spokesperson for 2K Games conveyed to Bloomberg that while Cloud Chamber currently possesses a “good game,” the publisher remains “committed to delivering a great one.” The spokesperson also confirmed the changes within the leadership team.
The BioShock franchise continues to be a major success for Take-Two, having sold over 43 million copies across all its titles. It stands as one of Take-Two`s 13 franchises with individual games surpassing 5 million units in sales. In addition to video game developments, a BioShock movie adaptation is also in the works at Netflix.
Cloud Chamber, the studio behind BioShock 4, is a relatively new 2K entity without any prior game releases. The studio describes itself as a “collective of storytellers eager to push the frontlines of interactive entertainment by making unique, entertaining, and thoughtful experiences that engage the world,” operating with offices in San Francisco and Montreal.
Notably, BioShock`s original creator, Ken Levine, has no involvement with BioShock 4. He stated, “I don`t want to do half measures. I never want to be half in half out. I wish them the best. I know as much about the game as anybody else, essentially. And I`ll play it as a player when it comes out.” Levine is currently still collaborating with Take-Two on his own project, a game titled Judas.