New Bioshock game confirmed, as 2K sets up new development studio

(Image credit: 2K Games)

You read that right: there's a new Bioshock game on the way.

Publisher 2K Games took to Twitter to announce a new instalment in the bestselling video game franchise, which has so far spanned two entries in the underwater city of rapture (Bioshock, Bioshock 2) and one in the flying city of Columbia (Bioshock Infinite).

While there's no indication of where the game might be set, and its connection to the existing characters and environments established in previous titles, we do know that 2K is setting up a whole new development studio – "Cloud Chamber, purveyors of fine videogames" – to work on the unnamed Bioshock title, which will be "in development for the next several years".

A press release for the announcement notes that Cloud Chamber's Global Studio Head will be Kelley Gilmore (XCOM, Sid Meier's Civilization), marking the first woman-led development studio at 2K.

2K President David Ismailer also writes that “BioShock is one of the most beloved, critically praised and highest-rated franchises of the last console generation. 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.”

Just speculate for us, already!

(Image credit: Irrational Games)

There's no doubt this is exciting news. When it comes to such an influential video game franchise, though, there'll be a lot of scrutiny and comparison with previous titles that Cloud Chamber will have to live up to.

We first heard whispers of the Bioshock title in a Kotaku report in May 2018, with the title – codenamed 'Parkside' – being worked on in highly secretive conditions. It seems that secrecy will continue for a while longer, even if we have formal word on the game now.

While we could see a return to Rapture or Columbia, we think it's more likely we see a different setting altogether, possibly one that makes the most of the upgraded power of next-gen consoles, with the title almost certainly launching on PS5 and Xbox Scarlett.

There plenty of reason to be wary, though, with the botched launches of Mass Effect: Andromeda and Fallout 76 showing that even beloved franchises can lose their prestige if one title falls short of expectations, though we're hoping these examples are enough to ensure 2K makes the Bioshock game fans deserve.

Indeed, if we get the kind of gripping single-player story that the franchise is known for, we may be looking at the seeds of one of the most exciting games to land in the next decade. 

  • PS5 games: everything confirmed for the next-gen console
Henry St Leger

Henry is a freelance technology journalist, and former News & Features Editor for TechRadar, where he specialized in home entertainment gadgets such as TVs, projectors, soundbars, and smart speakers. Other bylines include Edge, T3, iMore, GamesRadar, NBC News, Healthline, and The Times.

Latest in Consoles & PC
Image of Naoe in AC Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows is hands-down one of the most beautiful PC ports I've ever seen
Image of AC Shadows cover art & Steam Deck
It's not perfect, but Assassin's Creed Shadows' performance is impressive - it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally
Steam Deck OLED in limited edition white color
With a single update SteamOS could turbocharge handheld PCs – here's how
Samus Aran leaping through space
Metroid Prime 4 tipped to be at the heart of April's Nintendo Switch 2 deep-dive
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Latest in News
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
A fresh Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge leak hints at a 2K display and a titanium frame
Hatch Restore 3 in Putty
You can finally start your day with The Office theme song, and I couldn't be more excited