According to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, BioShock 4 will be released eventually but only when the final product fully meets their standards. Continue reading for the latest updates behind the game’s unexpected delay.
BioShock 4 Is Still in the Works, but It’s Not Yet the “Outstanding” Game It Needs to Be
Shifts in Leadership and a Potential Overhaul
BioShock 4 remains in active development, and recent leadership changes along with talk of a "narrative overhaul" suggest it won't be finished this year. Despite these concerning updates, Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive (the parent company of BioShock publisher 2K Games), assured IGN, “It’s coming. That I can say with complete confidence.”
On August 2, 2025, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported that 2K Games studio head Kelley Gilmore was replaced, while creative director Hogarth de la Plante shifted to a publishing position. According to Schreier's sources, senior executives ordered the abrupt change due to dissatisfaction with the direction of BioShock 4.
Schreier also noted that BioShock 4 did not pass an internal review by 2K Games leadership and as a result required significant revisions. Insiders indicated the story needed a complete rewrite. This information, though unverified by 2K Games or Take-Two Interactive, came from anonymous sources. Schreier requested an official statement from the company.
They responded, “We are committed to shaping the best possible future for BioShock. While we currently have a solid game, we are focused on making it exceptional. We’re collaborating closely with studio leadership to define the next steps.”
A 2K Games spokesperson confirmed the leadership transition and stated they are “fully dedicated to delivering a BioShock experience that meets the high expectations of our fans.”
Shortly after, IGN reached out to Strauss Zelnick to ask if BioShock 4 might be canceled. Zelnick replied, “It is definitely coming. I can say that with absolute certainty.”
Zelnick acknowledged the challenges of developing BioShock 4 and listed multiple reasons behind the lengthy timeline.
“We’ve had our share of ups and downs — that much is true,” he said. “We’ve also seen changes in studio leadership. At the same time, we’re continuing Ken Levine’s incredible legacy — a legacy of success that sets a high bar. We need to honor BioShock’s core identity while pushing it forward in meaningful ways. That’s always a challenge. We believe we’re up to it, though the journey hasn’t been without obstacles.”
BioShock 4 was officially announced by 2K Games on December 9, 2019, but no gameplay footage has ever been made public. The previous title in the series, BioShock Infinite, launched in 2013.
Despite a dedicated fan base, the long wait and lack of new content have made it difficult to build excitement around the mysterious fourth entry. Many feel the series already reached its peak and question whether a new installment can bring fresh ideas to an 18-year-old franchise.
With recent reports suggesting BioShock 4 may undergo a “narrative overhaul,” fans now understand the game is unlikely to release in the near future.
