Unveiling BioShock 4's Exhilarating Twist: An Uncharted Era Beckons!
BioShock 4's rumored 1960s setting in Antarctica might hinder its potential, neglecting an exciting alternative: a captivating journey through the unexplored depths of space
With Ken Levine, the director of BioShock, leading the upcoming FPS Judas, the development of BioShock 4 now falls on Cloud Chamber Studio, a subsidiary of 2K. Led by former Firaxis Executive Kelley Gilmorein, the studio must strive to uphold the esteemed legacy left by Irrational Games. Despite the 2019 announcement, official sources have remained relatively quiet, leaving fans in anticipation as the release date and official title for BioShock 4 have not yet been announced.
Given reports of BioShock 4 being stuck in development hell, it seems that the release of the new game is still a long way off. However, leaks and rumors from industry insiders suggest that players will be transported to 1960s Antarctica in the upcoming BioShock installment. While this setting offers intriguing possibilities and tremendous potential, some may argue that Cloud Chamber has missed a grander opportunity by not exploring the concept of taking BioShock to space.
BioShock 4 and Antarctica
The upcoming BioShock game, rumored to be titled BioShock: Isolation, is speculated to take place in the fictional Antarctic Cities of Aurora and Borealis. Leaks and rumors, including a September 2022 Twitter thread from Oops Leaks, suggest that the game will have an open-world design and a similar art style to Deathloop. Set in the 1960s, around the same time as the first two games, BioShock 4 is said to feature survivors from Rapture, which may excite fans hoping for the return of BioShock 2 characters. However, this also implies that the new game may be more closely tied to the original BioShock than BioShock: Infinite was, potentially indicating a safer approach in terms of gameplay and storytelling.
However, unlike the fantastical and otherworldly settings of Rapture and Columbia, the Antarctic location in BioShock 4 is relatively unique but lacks the same level of imaginative wonder. While both the sky and the bottom of the sea have been explored by humans, the idea of inhabiting these places remains extremely unconventional. The ocean floor, in particular, remains hazardous, uncharted, and difficult to access, with only about 30% of its vast expanse mapped to this day. Specialized vessels capable of withstanding the immense pressure of the deep sea are required for exploration.
In contrast, although Antarctica is a harsh and unwelcoming environment, it does not possess the same degree of mystery or hostility towards human life. Antarctica has been extensively explored, and multiple countries operate research bases on the continent, with regular travel to and from its remote location. While visiting Antarctica was more challenging and less commonplace in the 1960s, the oldest still functioning Antarctic base dates back to 1903, and the South Pole research station was established in 1957.
The explanations behind BioShock's Rapture and Columbia may require a significant suspension of disbelief from a scientific standpoint. However, the concept of both cities being hidden does not require as much disbelief. While cities in Antarctica may seem more plausible, they would be much harder to conceal. A key aspect of BioShock's premise is that the games take place in secluded societies that remain hidden and unattainable by the outside world. Although accessing Antarctica may not be the easiest task, it still does not compare to reaching the depths of the ocean.
BioShock 4 in Space
The bottom of the ocean and space are two of the most inhospitable places. If there was a city on the Moon, Mars, or Venus, it would perfectly fit the criteria for a BioShock setting. These locations would be extraordinary, perilous, and, most importantly for BioShock, isolated. The dark side of the Moon would be completely invisible from Earth, and even if BioShock 4 didn't focus on secrecy, the sheer distance alone would create a pervasive sense of seclusion. Additionally, the Moon or Mars offer much more thrilling landscapes compared to a frozen wasteland.
Set in BioShock 4's rumored 1960s backdrop, the game takes advantage of the vibrant era marked by the Space Race—a period of rapid technological advancements and scientific breakthroughs. By incorporating the allure of space exploration, the new game aligns nicely with the original BioShock, where the fast-paced advances in technology in Rapture were a key element of the narrative. Moreover, this setting presents fertile ground for BioShock's trademark satire, juxtaposing the futuristic vision of the 1960s with elements of mad science and the darker side of Cold War politics.
Unlike the original BioShock, which only briefly touched on the Cold War, BioShock 4's space race theme allows for a deeper exploration of Cold War paranoia. Within the game, tensions escalate when things go awry at the moon base, casting suspicion on hidden spies within the population. As the situation deteriorates, colonists may succumb to increased violence and paranoia, turning on one another in a relentless search for the alleged infiltrators. In this scenario, BioShock 4 could create an atmosphere where even the smallest provocation could incite a crowd to turn into a violent mob, making the presence of monsters unnecessary.
The Space Race backdrop provides intriguing possibilities for aesthetic exploration. While enemies in spacesuits are an obvious choice for a character akin to Big Daddy, the design of the environment is equally important. Rapture's architectural style drew heavily from the Art Deco movement of the early 20th century, whereas BioShock: Infinite's Columbia took inspiration from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. In contrast, BioShock 4, set in space, presents a unique chance to blend the architecture of the 1960s with the technological advancements of NASA during that same period. Areas dedicated to maintenance and industry could resemble the interiors of Gemini or Apollo capsules, while more upscale sections may feature linoleum floors, patterned wallpaper, and modernist architectural elements.
This concept could also tie into the Space Race theme and the two-cities concept of BioShock: Isolation. Imaginably, there could be two competing colonies: one American and one Soviet. The Soviet rockets and capsules had a distinct look compared to their American counterparts, and post-Stalin Russia witnessed a shift towards utilitarian architecture. Incorporating these different styles could effectively differentiate the two cities. It is not to suggest that BioShock: Isolation set in the Antarctic will be lacking, or that developers cannot explore its potential fully. However, the decision not to set it in space feels like a missed opportunity to harness the immense potential of BioShock 4.
BioShock 4 is in development.
