Talk about a rollercoaster. BioShock 4 has been stuck in a rough patch lately, with reports of management shakeups and canceled projects. Yet, Take-Two Interactive’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has put those worries to rest by plainly stating the game will come out, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Last week, a report surfaced detailing the tough times developer Cloud Chamber has been facing while working on BioShock 4. Leadership changes and internal struggles painted a bleak picture. But Zelnick’s recent comments to IGN suggest the game isn’t dead in the water.
BioShock 4 Will Be Here, Sooner or Later
When asked if BioShock 4 was at risk of cancellation, Zelnick didn’t hedge: “It’s going to come out. That I can say hand on heart, without question.” That’s a pretty solid promise considering we haven’t seen any official gameplay or even a teaser yet.
He admitted the development cycle hasn’t been smooth, mentioning changes in studio leadership and the weight of living up to the franchise’s legacy. “We have very big shoes to fill on BioShock because of the legacy of Ken Levine, the legacy of what has gone before,” Zelnick said. Balancing staying true to the BioShock DNA while pushing the series forward is a tough gig. “That’s always challenging. We think we’re up to the challenge, but it has not been seamless.” Sounds like a classic case of trying to satisfy hardcore fans and new players .
It’s been over a decade since BioShock Infinite hit shelves in 2013, and nearly 20 years since the original BioShock launched in 2007. Fans might wonder why a remake of the original wasn’t greenlit, especially since it could have refreshed interest in the series. The canceled BioShock remake mentioned in the report feels like a missed opportunity to bring in fresh blood who might not have experienced the franchise yet.
Are you still hyped for BioShock 4? Or do you think 2K should have focused on a remake first to drum up excitement? Either way, the promise from Take-Two’s top dog means the game isn’t vaporware, at least not yet.
For those who want to revisit the classic, BioShock is available on Steam. Maybe it’s time to jump back into Rapture before the new chapter drops.
