The next installment in the iconic Bioshock series, Bioshock 4, is reportedly encountering major development challenges and undergoing leadership changes, according to recent reports. Officially announced in 2019, the game is currently being developed by Cloud Chamber under the supervision of 2K Games.

Fans of the Bioshock franchise are no strangers to waiting, as it has been over a decade since the last major release. While the game's existence was confirmed in 2019, rumors of development difficulties have persisted, highlighting the challenges of creating a worthy successor to one of gaming's most beloved series.

A recent report from Bloomberg reveals that Bioshock 4 failed an internal review at 2K Games, leading to significant leadership changes at Cloud Chamber. Studio leader Kelley Gilmore, a veteran known for her work on franchises like Civilization and XCOM, was reportedly replaced, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante was moved to a publishing role. Cloud Chamber staff were instructed to focus on being 'agile and efficient,' sparking concerns about potential layoffs.

In a statement to Bloomberg, 2K Games acknowledged the challenges, stating, 'We are working hard to set Bioshock up for the best possible future. Right now, we have a good game, but we are committed to delivering a great one.'

One of the key issues identified in the internal review was the game's narrative quality, which is now undergoing a major overhaul. Rumors from late 2024 suggested that Bioshock 4 would be set in Antarctica, featuring two retro-futuristic cities named Aurora and Borealis. This would mark a departure from the underwater city of Rapture and the aerial city of Columbia, the settings of previous games.

In addition to the updates on Bioshock 4, the Bloomberg report also mentioned that a rumored remake of the original Bioshock was shelved in early 2025. This news may disappoint fans who were hoping for a modernized version of the classic game.