Poor signals for Bioshock 4: Publisher 2K reportedly was not satisfied with an internal demonstration of the sequel. This now affects the development team.
Bioshock enthusiasts are currently facing challenges: no fresh entry in the revered shooter franchise has launched in over a decade; the most recent spin-off, Infinite, was released in 2013. As has been recently revealed, fans are likely to endure a longer wait.
Although publisher and rights holder 2K Games announced at the end of 2019 that it had tasked studio Cloud Chamber with developing a new Bioshock, there has been no update on the project since. As reported by well-informed industry insider Jason Schreier, among others, the game is now confronted with an uncertain path ahead.
Internal evaluations reportedly failed to impress the management team at publisher 2K Games. Consequently, the management leadership at developer Cloud Chamber is now being changed.
Unnamed sources who spoke to Jason Schreier in his report for Bloomberg indicated that the game’s narrative in particular was highlighted as an aspect requiring enhancements and will be revised in the upcoming months
.
Lead developer Kelley Gilmore was subsequently let go and succeeded by former creative director Hogarth de la Plante. The remainder of the Cloud Chamber team was informed in an internal assembly that the studio needed to be more agile and efficient
. According to Bloomberg, several staff members are concerned that these comments imply imminent layoffs.
In reaction to the report, a representative for 2K Games confirmed the leadership transition at the studio to Bloomberg. At the same time, however, they reiterated their complete dedication to producing a BioShock title that surpasses the high expectations of fans. The publisher added:
We are striving to position BioShock for the most favorable future. We have a solid game at present, but we are resolved to deliver an outstanding game. We are collaborating closely with the studio leadership to chart that course ahead.
Nevertheless, this most favorable future appears less than promising, as 2K Games also verified to Bloomberg that a few months prior, it opted to halt the already initiated development of a remake of the original Bioshock game in the series. The publisher provided no rationale for this choice.
The initial three entries of the Bioshock series were notably successful, selling over 43 million copies; however, series creator Ken Levine opted against developing another entry after Bioshock: Infinite due to intense personal pressure and subsequently dramatically reduced the size of his studio Irrational Games.
However, according to reports by Eurogamer, a Netflix series based on the franchise is actively in development. Nevertheless, it will be produced on a modest budget and is not aimed at being a major blockbuster.
What are your thoughts on the recent developments in the Bioshock universe? Are you anticipating a fourth installment of the shooter series? Share your views in the comments!
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