The team at Cloud Chamber, which is developing the next entry in the BioShock franchise, is experiencing significant reductions in its workforce. According to a report from Bloomberg, Take-Two Interactive has announced the layoff of over 80 employees from Cloud Chamber, representing about one-third of the studio’s staff. This staff reduction coincides with a delay in the game’s anticipated release, which was originally scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027.
The development of the new BioShock title has faced various challenges, suggesting that its launch may now be further postponed. The last release in the series, BioShock Infinite, was made available to the public in 2013. In an effort to steer the project back on course, 2K Games, the division of Take-Two overseeing Cloud Chamber, has appointed Rod Fergusson as the head of the development team. Fergusson is known for his previous leadership role with the Diablo team at Blizzard and for contributing to the completion of BioShock Infinite.
In an internal memo regarding the layoffs, 2K Games president David Ismailer mentioned that although there is enthusiasm for the game’s foundational elements, the studio has decided to rework certain core aspects of the BioShock experience. This strategic pivot necessitates a smaller development team that can focus more intensively on refining the game, allowing for an extended development timeline. The current status of the game’s development and the reasons behind the layoffs raise questions regarding future progress and studio stability. Take-Two has not yet provided a response to inquiries from The Verge.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/762933/bioshock-cloud-chamber-take-two-2k-layoffs