BioShock 4 Faces 2027 Release After Massive Cloud Chamber Layoffs

Cloud Chamber, the studio behind the long-awaited BioShock 4, is facing major setbacks after confirming substantial layoffs.

Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier revealed that around 80 employees have been cut from the developer’s 250-person team, a shake-up that could push the game’s release back to late 2027.

The news follows the appointment of Rod Fergusson, former general manager of Diablo, as the new head of the studio. While Take-Two Interactive officially confirmed staff reductions, an internal email from 2K president David Ismailer suggested the team is being downsized to rework critical gameplay elements central to the BioShock experience. In the message, Ismailer acknowledged the painful decision, promising severance and career support for those affected.

Originally targeting a release in late 2026 or early 2027, BioShock 4 now looks set for a further delay. Schreier’s sources warned that even mid-to-late 2027 is optimistic, meaning the project could ultimately span more than a decade in development since work quietly began years ago.

The report highlights the difficulties Cloud Chamber has faced while trying to both establish itself as a new studio and simultaneously deliver a blockbuster franchise revival. It’s a challenge that has undone other ambitious projects in the industry, raising questions about whether BioShock 4 can retain its cultural impact after so many years.

Despite the turbulence, the studio still has significant backing from Take-Two, making it unlikely the project will be abandoned entirely. Now, all eyes are on Fergusson and the remaining team to see if they can bring the series back to life – even if players have to wait until 2027, or beyond, to step foot in Rapture’s spiritual successor once again.