The renowned BioShock series is set to receive its fourth installment, currently under development at Cloud Chamber, a new studio. Notably, series creator Ken Levine is not involved in this next game, which we will refer to as BioShock 4 until an official title is revealed. Recent reports suggest the game faced a setback with a “failed” internal review, and a planned remake of the original BioShock was reportedly canceled.
When will BioShock 4 be released?
Announced in December 2019, BioShock 4 still lacks an official release date or window. Developer Cloud Chamber and publisher 2K initially stated it would be in development for “several years.” As of 2025, no significant updates have been provided. Despite this, parent company Take-Two expresses high confidence in the BioShock franchise, noting its 43 million units sold across the series and perfect review scores for every installment.
Preorder BioShock 4
Pre-orders for BioShock 4 are not yet open. Following past trends, fans can anticipate both a standard edition and various special editions upon release.
BioShock 4 trailer information
No trailer for BioShock 4 has been released, nor is there any indication of when one might debut. While publishers often make announcements during summer game showcases in June, there have been no teasers or hints regarding upcoming BioShock reveals.
BioShock 4 platforms
Official platforms for BioShock 4 remain unconfirmed. However, it`s highly probable the game will launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, aligning with the multiplatform releases of previous series entries (with the exception of the original, which was Xbox/PC exclusive at launch).
BioShock 4 story, setting, and characters
The BioShock franchise is celebrated for its compelling narratives, often incorporating philosophical themes inspired by figures like Ayn Rand and George Orwell. While the first two games were set in the undersea city of Rapture and BioShock Infinite took players to the airborne city of Columbia, each featuring distinct protagonists, details regarding BioShock 4`s setting, story, or characters have yet to be revealed.
BioShock 4 game engine
The specific game engine for BioShock 4 has not been officially disclosed. However, job postings from developer Cloud Chamber hint at the use of Unreal Engine 5, Epic`s latest development platform, consistent with previous BioShock titles that also utilized Unreal.
Who`s developing BioShock 4?
BioShock 4 is being developed by Cloud Chamber, a newly formed 2K studio without prior game releases. With offices in San Francisco and Montreal, the studio is led by global studio head Kelley Gilmore, a veteran with experience on franchises such as Civilization and XCOM. Gilmore expressed the studio`s vision: “We founded Cloud Chamber to create yet-to-be-discovered worlds—and their stories within—that push the boundaries of what is possible in the video game medium.” Ken Schachter, formerly of Zynga and Trapdoor, heads the Montreal team specifically.
Major changes
Significant internal changes have reportedly occurred, including the ousting of global studio head Kelley Gilmore on August 1 following a “failed” internal review of BioShock 4 by 2K executives, particularly citing issues with the narrative. Furthermore, a planned remake of the original BioShock was reportedly canceled earlier this year.
Ken Levine is not involved `at all`
Series creator Ken Levine, who also wasn`t involved in BioShock 2, confirmed he has “no involvement at all” with BioShock 4. He stated his preference against “half measures” and expressed his best wishes for the project, intending to play it as a consumer upon release. Levine is currently leading Ghost Story Games (formerly Irrational Games) and developing Judas, a “pseudo-procedural” roguelite game where “you build all these smaller piece elements in the game and then you teach the game how to make good levels essentially, and good story, and most importantly, reactive to what you do.”
The BioShock movie
In addition to the game, Netflix is producing a BioShock film adaptation, with “The Hunger Games” director Francis Lawrence at the helm. Despite previous internal upheavals at Netflix causing delays, the movie remains in active development. Actor Jack Quaid, known for “The Boys,” has publicly expressed his interest in joining the cast.