TheBioShockfranchise has a new developer in Cloud Chamber, and if its job listings are anything to go by,BioShock 4could seriously shake up the series formula. One posting was for a Systems Designer with experience in designing sandbox worlds, while another was looking for a Senior Voice Designer with experience in creating branching dialogue systems. Each of these listings would seem to suggest thatBioShock 4will bring a vastly different experience to the slightly linear stories of previous titles. It’s been over eight years since the release ofBioShock Infinitenow, and it seems Cloud Chamber is interested in bringing theBioShockfranchise into a new era.
Since 2K Games announced Cloud Chamber would be working onthe nextBioShockgame, very little official information has surfaced about the long-awaited title. The job postings are thus what fans have clung to the most since they emerged. With the popularity of the RPG genre in modern-day gaming, there are plenty of great examples for Cloud Chamber to follow. Likewise, there’s plenty of room to speculate about which gamesBioShock 4could take inspiration from as it branches off into a new genre.
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Cyberpunk 2077’s Multiple Character Origins
BioShock Infinitetied up quite a few loose ends with its final DLC, Burial at Sea.BioShock 4, as a result of this, may look to go down quite a different path, functioning as more of a spin-off rather than a sequel. Many fans felt that theBioShockseries was set to end with the release ofBioShock Infinite, but they now know this not to be the case. Instead, aBorderlands-style sequel, in which the game is set within the same universe, but with all-new protagonists could prove to be the way forward. If this is the case,BioShock 4should look to learn from some of the moreimmersiveCyberpunk 2077features.
At the beginning ofCyberpunk 2077, players have the option to choose between three origin stories. These options have little impact on the overall story of the game, but do open up certain dialogue paths which then lead to unique side quests. The player can pick the origin story that speaks to them the most, without sacrificing significant story elements down the line. The ability tochoose an origin inCyberpunk 2077is a nice character-building feature that informs how a player should behave in-game.
This is a feature that could work well in the world ofBioShock 4. SomeBioShockfans may have been concerned upon hearing ofBioShock 4’sRPG elements, and for good reason. At the core of the BioShock franchise is a linear story that shouldn’t be altered all too much.Cyberpunk 2077’sorigin stories, however, have provided a blueprint for how an RPG game can provide player choice while still sticking close to the overall narrative. By learning fromCyberpunk 2077,BioShock 4can allow the player to build a connection to their character without sacrificing its predetermined story.
Fallout: New Vegas' Factions System
If, however, the intention forBioShock 4is to have a more malleable storyline,New Vegasis a perfect inspiration.BioShock Infinitehad a factions system of sorts, but it was ultimately fairly shallow. Players would come across two factions, The Vox and The Founders, but neither were perfect options, and whether the player sided with either proved to be irrelevant to the story. The ending ofBioShock Infinitewas befitting of theBioShockseries, but as the game looks to step into the world of RPGs, a different approach may be appreciated. Thecombination of theBioShockandFalloutseriescould create the perfect formula forBioShock 4.
Fallout: New Vegas’factions systemis reliant on the game’s reputation mechanic. InNew Vegas, the player receives fame or infamy points depending on their actions. These points relate to specific factions and impact how the player is received throughout the game. This mechanic essentially forces the player to figure out early on who they want their character to be. This is even more important later in the game as the player decides who will control the Mojave, a decision that can have a huge impact on the story’s ending.
Infamy points, as well, would be a great introduction in the nextBioShockgame.BioShock 4’sopen worldbrings new possibilities for dynamic storytelling, andNew Vegascould provide the framework. A sprawling open world with multiple factions to discover and choose between appears to be the order of the day. However, if the player’s choices have little impact on the overall experience, the choices lose importance. IfBioShock 4is able to capture theFallout: New Vegasfactions experience, it could very well be a successful RPG.
