Bioshock 4: Everything We Know So Far

Since its debut in 2007, Bioshock has captivated players with its unforgettable underwater city of Rapture and one of the most jaw-dropping twists in gaming history. The series continued to impress with Bioshock Infinite, transporting players to a new, sky-high dystopia. Much like Assassin’s Creed, each installment in the series is defined by its unique setting, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next adventure. With original creator Ken Levine now focused on Judas, 2K has tasked Cloud Chamber Studios with developing the next entry in the Bioshock saga. Though work has been underway since 2019, many questions remain about Bioshock 4. Here’s a deep dive into everything we know so far.

Release Date Predictions

As of now, neither 2K nor Cloud Chamber has provided a concrete release date for Bioshock 4. The most recent update came via LinkedIn, where Senior Cinematic Designer Jeff Spoonhower mentioned that “The Bioshock team at 2K Cloud Chamber is ramping up!”, highlighting the numerous open positions in various fields, like art, animation, engineering, design, narrative, and production. This suggests that the game was still in preproduction, which means we might be looking at a two-to-three-year wait before Bioshock 4 is fully finished.

Expected Platforms

Given that the game is expected to enter full production in 2024, it’s likely that Bioshock 4 will be exclusive to current-gen consoles. This means you can probably look forward to it on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Leaks and Speculations

While no official trailers or screenshots have been released yet, a leaked screenshot has surfaced online, hinting at what might be in store. This image, reportedly from a 2021 demo build, shows a weapon, some UI elements, and a glowing tower. MP1st, which obtained the image, claims it was shared by a visual effects artist at 2K, though many elements could have evolved since then.

Before this leak, there were two major rumors about the game’s setting. The most intriguing suggests that Bioshock 4 will be set in a 1960s-era city in Antarctica named Borealis. This city is rumored to tie together elements from previous games in the series. Another rumor suggests the game might be open world, based on a job posting seeking someone to craft impactful stories in an open-world environment. This would mark a significant shift from the series’ traditional linear format.

Gameplay Expectations

The core gameplay of Bioshock has always centered around first-person shooting and unique powers. While Bioshock 4 is expected to introduce new mechanics and features, the fundamental gameplay is likely to remain focused on these elements. How these powers will be integrated into the new setting is still a mystery.

If the open-world rumor proves true, the game’s structure might shift from the series' usual linear paths to a more expansive, fully explorable city. Rather than a massive, sprawling environment, we anticipate a design similar to Prey, allowing for significant exploration without completely abandoning the linear elements.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to uncover details about Bioshock 4!