2K has announced a new BioShock game is officially in the works at a newly formed internal studio, Cloud Chamber. However, don't expect this new game in the near future.

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Cloud Chamber is a new studio, with locations in both Novato, California and Montreal, Quebec, headed by Kelley Gilmore, who has worked at 2K's Firaxis Games for nearly two decades in various capacities on Sid Meier's Civilization and XCOM. According to 2K's announcement , the next BioShock will be in development "for the next several years." 2K has not officially announced any platforms nor targeted release date for this new BioShock.Speaking to IGN over email, Gilmore said the team is at "the earlier end of our process" when asked how far along development on the new BioShock is. Gilmore also declined to say whether this new BioShock would function as a direct sequel in the series or as a reboot, instead only calling the project "the next iteration in the BioShock franchise."Gilmore also declined to comment on whether the new BioShock would introduce a new cityscape as its setting or feature returns to Rapture or Columbia, saying "We...hope that fans love our future plans for this environment. That said, it'll be a bit of a wait for more details, as the game will be in development for several years."Gilmore did also confirm that original BioShock creative director Ken Levine is "not affiliated with Cloud Chamber, nor is he involved with the studio's development process." Levine is instead continuing to focus on his work with the team at Ghost Story Games, which formally debuted in 2017 after Levine's previous BioShock team at Irrational Games started "winding down" in 2014 Gilmore did, however, speak to the existing BioShock pedigree at Cloud Chamber, which includes Hoagy de la Plante as creative director after previously working on BioShock 1 and 2; Scott Sinclair as art director, a role Sinclair had on both BioShock and BioShock Infinite ; and Jonathan Pelling as design director after previously working as the art team creative director on BioShock Infinite.Gameplay details are scarce on the new BioShock at the moment, though 2K President David Ismailer said in a statement 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.”"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," Gilmore said in a statement alongside the announcement.When asked whether this new BioShock could include live-service elements, especially in light of speculation about 2K investing in live-service gaming in new Novato-area job listings , Gilmore neither confirmed nor denied they might be added."Providing an outstanding gaming experience to our audience will always be paramount to us, including offering innovative ways to remain engaged with our game. While it’s premature for us to confirm anything today, as we build out our vision, it will be incredibly important for us to listen to our future customers for guidance, as there isn’t a ‘solution for all’ answer," Gilmore said. Rumors of a new BioShock sprang up early in 2018 , indicating a small, new team in Novato was pioneering work on the next entry in the franchise. 2K has remained mum on the topic, however, over the last few years, other than a 2K executive speaking to BioShock being a "permanent franchise" for the company. The last major release the franchise saw was BioShock: The Collection, which saw BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite, along with their respective DLC and additional commentary, bundled in one release. Be sure to check out IGN's review of BioShock: The Collection. For more, be sure to read about how IGN's Tom Marks avoided BioShock's renowned twist (though, of course, don't read it if you haven't played yet!) and stay tuned to IGN for more on the next entry in the BioShock series.

Jonathon Dornbush is a huge BioShock fan who can still remember reading IGN's original BioShock review and deciding to buy the game. Talk to him about why it's one of his favorite games of all time on Twitter @jmdornbush