After the exit of Ken Levine and Irrational Games from the BioShock series following the third installment, Infinite, the future of the video game franchise became unclear, as 2K Games still sought to continue the story and now the publisher has revealed a fourth title is in the works at new in-house studio Cloud Chamber (via Collider)!
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The new in-house studio is being described as a “collective of storytellers eager to push the frontline of interactive entertainment by making unique, entertaining and thoughtful experiences that engage the world,” and is building teams in the San Francisco and Québec areas, making it the first Canadian office for a 2K studio. Cloud Chamber has already begun development on a fourth BioShock and that it will work on the next installment for several years.
“As we continue growing our product portfolio, we remain inspired by opportunities to invest further in our valuable IP, great people and their collective, long-term potential,” David Ismailer, President of 2K said. “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.”
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Kelley Gilmore, who has worked in the industry for 22 years, will serve as Cloud Chamber’s Global Studio Head, as well as the first woman in 2K Games’ 14-year history to launch and lead a development studio. She previously worked for the studio on franchises including Sid Meier’s Civilization and XCOM, as well as 2K’s other studio Firaxis Games, and is set to be based out of the California offices.
“We founded Cloud Chamber to create yet-to-be-discovered worlds – and their stories within – that push the boundaries of what is possible in the video game medium,” Gilmore said. “Our team believes in the beauty and strength of diversity, in both the makeup of the studio and the nature of its thinking. We are a deeply experienced group of game makers, including many responsible for BioShock’s principal creation, advancement and longstanding notoriety, and honored to be part of the 2K family as stewards of this iconic franchise.”
