BioShock 4 Hits Major Development Snag, Remake Shelved by 2K

BioShock 3 (Image Credit: 2K)

The next BioShock game isn’t in the best shape right now. A recent internal review at 2K Games didn’t go as planned, and now parts of the project are being overhauled, leadership at the studio has shifted, and some developers are bracing for possible layoffs. If you’ve been wondering why it’s taking so long since BioShock Infinite, well—this is a big part of the reason.

According to a detailed report from Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, the game—often referred to as BioShock 4—failed to meet executive expectations during a key review. The biggest concern? The narrative. And that’s no small issue when you’re dealing with a series known for its deep, twist-heavy storytelling. As a result, the team at Cloud Chamber will now be reworking large parts of the game’s story in the months ahead.

In the wake of this review, some serious changes have already taken place. Studio head Kelley Gilmore has reportedly been let go, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante has been moved to a publishing role. These shifts were announced during a recent all-hands meeting, where staff were also told the studio needs to become “more agile and efficient”—which, naturally, has sparked concerns that layoffs might follow.

2K did respond to Bloomberg’s report with a statement, saying: “Right now, we have a good game, but we are committed to delivering a great one.” The publisher confirmed the leadership changes and added that they’re working closely with Cloud Chamber to get things back on track.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only blow to BioShock fans. Schreier also revealed that a remake of the original 2007 BioShock was in the works at one point but was shelved earlier this year. That project could’ve been a great way to keep the franchise alive while work continued on the next mainline title—but it seems like that’s off the table for now.

For context, BioShock has sold more than 43 million copies across its three main games. The franchise hasn’t seen a new release since 2013’s Infinite, and fans have been eagerly waiting for what’s next. But with development setbacks piling up, it’s becoming clear that the wait is far from over.

That said, 2K insists the project isn’t canceled. It’s still moving forward—just slower, with a new direction and team leadership. There’s also a Netflix adaptation still in the pipeline, though we haven’t heard much about that lately either.