BioShock 4: Everything you need to know about the next BioShock game

BioShock 4 is the next entry in the dystopian FPS series.

It's been some time since we've had a major update on the new game, which was first revealed almost six years ago in 2019. The last reports came in 2025, with the sad news that layoffs sadly hit the studio working on the next BioShock. Following this, Take-Two's CEO offered assurances that "without question" the game "is going to come out". Even so, we've yet to see the game surface officially outside of supposed leaks, but there are details we can glean from some interviews, news, along with a hearty helping of speculation about it's potential direction.

Shortly after GTA 6's latest delay last year, for example, a Take Two Interactive earnings call made mention of the new BioShock game, with tease that it's setting out to take the the series to the "next-level". Then, in 2026, the parent company and Netflix are said to be "very anxious" for the BioShock movie that's in the works to coincide with the release of "potential new incarnations of the game" - but whether that refers to BioShock 4 remains to be seen. To learn more, read on below as we breakdown everything you need to know about BioShock 4.

Does BioShock 4 have a release date?

No official release date has been announced just yet for BioShock 4, and it looks like we'll be in for quite a wait.

In a report from Bloomberg that Cloud Chamber was hit with the layoffs of over 80 developers and a leadership shakeup, it also detailed the long development journey of the new BioShock game, which reportedly started all the way back in 2014 following the release of BioShock Infinite.

Back then, it's said that it was in the hands of FPS co-op developer Certain Affinity, before 2K formed Cloud Chamber Studios to work on the game in 2017. The report also suggests that internally, BioShock 4 was projected to release in late 2026 or early 2027, but it's now said to be delayed from that planned launch window.

We also have to take into account that, according to another report from Bloomberg, the game failed an internal review with 2K Games execs and is now in the process of having its narrative completely revamped. In response to this new setback, we got a statement from 2K:

"We are working hard to set BioShock up for the best possible future," explains 2K Games. "Right now, we have a good game, but we are committed to delivering a great one. We are working closely with leadership at the studio to define this path."

Here's hoping we hear more news sometime soon, though. In the meantime, you can read our BioShock review to get a refresher on the story!

Who is working on BioShock 4?  

BioShock 4 is currently being developed by Cloud Chamber, a studio founded and owned under the 2K publishing label. Since the studio and game was first announced, former Firaxis Games veteran developer, Kelley Gilmore, had been leading the development of the project.

But in August 2025, a report from Bloomberg surfaced that revealed Gilmore had been "ousted" by 2K, and BioShock veteran developer Hogarth de la Plante, who was creative director, is said to have been moved into a publishing role.

News then followed this report that layoffs have hit the studio, and that ex-Diablo boss, Rod Fergusson, has been brought onto the project as head of Cloud Chamber and BioShock. In the past, Fergusson worked on the original BioShock at Irrational Games, and also joined the development team on BioShock Infinite late into its development.

When BioShock 4 was first officially revealed in 2019, Gilmore said that the studio has strong "BioShock DNA" in an interview with us here at GamesRadar+ - since several members had key roles to play in other BioShock titles – highlighting de la Plante, art director Scott Sinclair, and design director Jonathan Pelling.

Gilmore also added that other developers on the team have worked on other notable game series: "Our team also has game development veterans from high-profile franchises like Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Star Wars, Battlefield, and Walking Dead. As part of our recruiting efforts, we're looking for people from many different backgrounds and experiences."

"I'm confident that the depth and variety of game development experience at Cloud Chamber will lead to another unforgettable BioShock experience."

We don't yet know how the layoffs will impact the project in the long-term, or which other developers have parted from Chamber Studios, but we'll be keeping an eye out for further news.

Is BioShock 4 set in an open-world?

We don't have much in the way of concrete details regarding the BioShock 4 setting, but a Cloud Chamber job listing seemingly suggests that the upcoming game may possibly be set in an open world. The job listing for a senior writer, which was posted back in April 2021, called for someone who can "weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting."

With BioShock and BioShock 2 submerging us below water in Rapture, and BioShock Infinite taking us to the clouds, we can't help but wonder where BioShock 4 will take us next - or what an open-world installment might look like. Maybe we'll have a new addition to add to our list of the best open world games one day.

What will BioShock 4's gameplay be like?

Gameplay-wise, the initial official 2K press release suggested that BioShock 4 intends to retain the series' first-person perspective. At least, that was the developer's intention back in 2019.

This is inferred by 2K president David Ismailer's mentioning of the core pillars the series is known for, with the press release touching on Cloud Chamber's plans for BioShock 4: "We can’t wait to see where its powerful narrative and iconic, first-person shooter gameplay head in the future with our new studio team at Cloud Chamber leading the charge."

Of course, it's been some time since the press release came our way, and there's always the chance that the initial plans or direction has changed over the course of development. Here's hoping an update on the project comes our way soon.

What is BioShock 4 going to be about?

At this point in time, we don't yet know much about BioShock 4 story or its place in the timeline of the series. What we do know, thanks to a statement from Gilmore in the press release, is that the Cloud Chamber team is looking "to create yet-to-be-discovered worlds – and their stories within – that push the boundaries of what is possible in the video game medium". This suggests we're set to see the story and setting of BioShock 4 go in a new direction.

"BioShock defined what a compelling narrative and immersive world can bring to a video game. Players interact with it in their own unique ways and have unforgettable experiences," Gilmore told GamesRadar+. "That will remain at the core of our design vision for the next BioShock, and we have a myriad of ideas on how best to achieve it."

Have there been any BioShock 4 leaks and rumors?

Since the game was first announced, there have been some supposed BioShock 4 leaks and plenty of rumors doing the rounds, too.

Speculative rumors came to light in 2021 claiming that BioShock 4 may take place in a fictional 1960s Antarctic city supposedly called "Borealis". So far, though, nothing official has been confirmed.

In our interview, Gilmore touched on how "environments have played a critical role throughout BioShock history and are incredibly important to the gameplay experience." While not much more was said on the topic, Gilmore did add that "there are many creative directions to explore." With so many possibilities, we really can't wait to find out more.

There were also uncorroborated rumors in 2021 that BioShock 4 would be called BioShock Isolation, with one Twitter user claiming that the game would be set in an "isolated dystopian city."

On July 13, 2024, there was a supposedly leaked BioShock 4 screenshot of the upcoming game. The image isn't super interesting, but it does show off some sort of tower, which is topped by a glowing sphere and a new weapon called the "ricochet shotgun." The alleged leaked BioShock 4 screenshot is rumored to be from a 2K visual effects artist. However, it's of course worth taking everything with a grain of salt as nothing has been confirmed just yet.

As of August 5, 2025, everything we thought we knew about BioShock 4 could change since the game is now undergoing a major narrative overhaul under new leadership. Following the news of the studio shakeup, Take-Two Interactive president Karl Slatoff spoke on BioShock 4 and the internal changes during a financial results conference Q&A, saying that, "we feel the that the game is on a great track for us to deliver something that's going to exceed consumer expectations". Slatoff then adds that "the next BioShock is going to take the franchise to the next level". What this means exactly remains to be seen.

Is BioShock 4 being developed on Unreal Engine 5?

Thanks to a job listing posted back in May 2021, BioShock is seemingly being developed on Unreal Engine 5, but we're still awaiting official confirmation.

Still, the prospect of seeing a new-gen BioShock game is exciting, to say the least. In the aforementioned Cloud Chamber listing for a Senior gameplay programmer, there was the mention of being able to "work within Unreal Engine 5", which may suggest BioShock 4 is using the latest generation game engine from developer Epic Games. While no platforms have been confirmed for the new BioShock, we're certainly eager to see how Cloud Chamber brings the next instalment to life using the latest hardware and software.

As Gilmore said in our interview back in 2019 during the early stages of development, "One of the great things about our industry is how much it evolves on a regular basis. We constantly have new technology and innovations to explore, as well as expanding ways to reach and interact with our fans. We can't discuss any specifics yet, but we're excited about the possibilities."

While we wait, why not check out some of the exciting upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Xbox Series X games on the horizon?