Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has reassured fans that BioShock 4 is "going to come out" and has offered a behind-the-scenes explanation of the highly-anticipated action horror title's lengthy development. BioShock 4 will be the latest entry in the hit FPS franchise, following 2013's BioShock Infinite, and with over a decade since its predecessor's debut, audiences have been anxious for more official news on the status of the game.
In spite of repeated reports of BioShock 4 experiencing development troubles, audiences are keeping their fingers crossed for an official announcement to be revealed, though Zelnick's comments have once again put a damper on expectations. Interestingly enough, the CEO shared his insights into why the game's development has been taking so long and what fans can expect when BioShock 4 is finally ready to make its way into players' hands.
The Argument Against Returning NPCs in BioShock 4
As much as BioShock's NPCs are iconic, BioShock 4 may want to skip adding returning characters to create its own original experience.
BioShock 4 Can't Settle for Good or Great, It Needs to Be "Exceptional"
Responding to a question from IGN ahead of a quarterly earnings report, Strauss Zelnick stated that BioShock 4 may be taking its time, but the studio can no longer settle for "good." Zelnick acknowledged the long development and explained that it has been a challenge for the team to stay "true to the BioShock DNA" while making massive improvements, particularly to the game's narrative. When describing the overall outlook of game development in the industry and its impact on BioShock 4, Zelnick noted that "good is the new bad, great is the new great," and the studio's goal is to make the newest entry in the BioShock video game franchise "exceptional."
The original BioShock set a new standard for FPS action horror games when it debuted, and many have been patiently hoping to get some sort of confirmation on the general story or setting of BioShock 4. With comments by Zelnick confirming narrative rewrites and other rumors suggesting poor reception to early progress checks, audiences have begun to wonder if BioShock 4 is spending too much time in the oven. A number of games that spent years in development woes were released to success, but just as many stumbled out of the gate and never gained momentum. Whether BioShock 4 will be able to reach its "exceptional" expectations remains to be seen, and it is still unknown just how much longer audiences will have to wait for the first official game announcement.
As game development cycles continue to grow longer, it should almost come as no surprise that a major AAA title like BioShock 4 is taking years to get to where the studio would like it to be. Only time will tell if BioShock 4 lives up to the legacy cemented by its predecessors and if its lengthy development will result in a truly exceptional game.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 98%
- Released
- September 13, 2016
- Developer(s)
- Blind Squirrel Games Inc., Irrational Games, 2K
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Engine
- unreal engine 3, unreal engine 2.5
- Franchise
- BioShock
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- FPS
