Six years. That’s how long it’s been since the world first heard those magical words: “A new BioShock is in development”.
In that time, we have lived through multiple console generations, a few near-apocalypses on the calendar… and yet BioShock 4 is still in production. Worse yet, instead of cruising toward launch, the team has been navigating storms and turbulence.
Recent gaming news suggests the project failed to pass an internal review at 2K Games. The biggest problem? The story. In a series where narrative has always been the beating heart, that’s a direct hit to the game’s DNA. The fallout led to shake-ups at Cloud Chamber — studio head Kelley Gilmore stepped down, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante was reassigned to a publishing role. What was meant to be a triumphant comeback is now facing serious game delays, while the community clings to every scrap of information.
“It’s Going To Come Out”, Promises Zelnick
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick decided to address the rumours head-on. “It’s going to come out, that I can say hand on heart, without question”, he said, adding that the process isn’t a sprint but more like a marathon on a tightrope over a canyon. Cloud Chamber’s challenge is daunting: deliver a game true to the BioShock legacy, while also taking it to an entirely new level.
And that legacy is no small thing. It’s been over a decade since Bioshock Infinite release. The BioShock series has sold 43 million copies, blending visionary worlds, deep storytelling, and unique gameplay in a way that’s become a blueprint for the industry. Zelnick knows that quality over quantity isn’t just a nice slogan — here, it’s a survival tactic. It’s also his definition of quality gaming: creating experiences that stay with players for years, instead of getting buried in a digital backlog after a weekend.
Why “Okay” Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
Zelnick puts it bluntly: “Consumers are not okay with okay. Good is the new bad, great is the new great. And our goal here is to make everything exceptional.”. In his eyes, today’s gamer doesn’t want a “7/10, maybe I’ll grab it on sale” title. They want something that grabs them by the collar and demands to be played now, not “someday”.
That’s why the development cycle for BioShock 4 is so demanding. Game development in the AAA space is longer than ever — bigger budgets, bigger teams, but also bigger pressure. And it’s not just about BioShock. The same philosophy is driving Grand Theft Auto VI and Red Dead Redemption 3: better to wait than to release something merely “okay”.
Cloud Chamber’s Mission
Cloud Chamber was formed in 2019 with one mission: bring the franchise back to life. Split between San Francisco and Montreal, the studio is packed with people who want to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. Series creator Ken Levine isn’t involved this time — he’s working on his own project, Judas — but his shadow and the BioShock legacy still loom large.
Along the way, a planned remake of the original BioShock was scrapped, adding fuel to the fandom’s speculation. But if Zelnick is to be believed, BioShock 4 remains a top priority for the publisher. In his view, sticking to quality over quantity is the only way to keep the legend alive.
What’s Next?
There’s still no release date or gameplay footage, which can be frustrating, but there are hints of movement. Noted leaker Kurakasis claims we could see a major announcement about the franchise before summer ends. Meanwhile, a BioShock movie is slowly taking shape at Netflix, with Francis Lawrence directing.
And if Strauss Zelnick keeps his word, the wait will be worth it. In a world where “good is the new bad”, only truly exceptional games make history. BioShock has done it before. Now it’s time for a repeat performance — no compromises, full respect for the past, and ambitions that reach further than we’ve ever dared to dream.