BioShock 4 Could Be A PS5 Exclusive
We're taking a dive into a sea of rumours, as the latest whispers suggest Cloud Chambers' BioShock 4 could be a PlayStation 5 exclusive. In April this year, Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Phil Ryan promised there will be more PS5 exclusives on the way, meaning the long-awaited sequel to 2013's BioShock: Infinite might join acclaimed titles like Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales and the Demon's Souls remaster, as well as upcoming releases including Horizon: Forbidden West, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and God of War: Ragnarok.
As Sony and Microsoft duke it out with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, the idea of making BioShock 4 a PS5 exclusive is an interesting one. Only recently, we covered how nearly half of Resident Evil Village's copies were sold on PS5, meaning the next-gen console is going great guns. An already established franchise like BioShock going exclusive to one console would be a massive U-turn, but as Microsoft marks its claim on Bethesda's future titles, now's the time for Sony to strike.
Will BioShock 4 be a PS5 exclusive?
According to known Xbox fanatic Nick "Shpeshal_Ed" Baker, Sony is pursuing Cloud Chamber and Take-Two Interactive to make BioShock 4 a PS5 exclusive. The shocking news came during an episode of his Xbox Era podcast, as Baker warned, "I have been told that Sony is up to their shenanigans again, and the new BioShock game is being money-headed by Sony". When someone else asked, "What, exclusive for six months?", Baker replied, "I'm gonna guess timed, I'd be shocked if 2K took a full for that one. I'm just going to assume timed".
The panel then mentioned that the OG BioShock landed on Xbox 360 and Windows PC in August 2007, followed by a PlayStation 3 port in October 2008. All these years later, Sony could be turning the tables on its biggest rival in an even bigger way. Considering we've had eight years to dream up what's next for BioShock, the game's release makes it one of the most anticipated games in living memory. The fact that we're teased with a whole new direction again, makes it even more exciting.
Should BioShock 4 be a PS5 exclusive?
Obviously, camp Xbox is furious about the concept of BioShock 4 being a PS5 exclusive. Since the first game plumbed the depths of the dystopian Rapture in 2007, the BioShock name has become an icon in its own right. As a spiritual successor to the equally harrowing System Shock series, BioShock carved its own story, with a unique premise we still think is one of the best to grace modern gaming. Things might've stalled a little with BioShock 2, but with the bold BioShock: Infinite leaving Rapture behind for the lofty heights of Columbia, it was the breath of fresh air the franchise needed.
Infinite restored faith in BioShock and cleverly tied back to the first two games with its ending and DLC content. With Irrational Games leaving the door to the lighthouse open for future instalments, 2K has formed a whole new studio just to tackle BioShock 4. There's potential for the next game to leap into a new era, and with a tease of a brand-new locale, it would be a shame that Xbox and PC players are locked out of all the fun. Then again, just like Village got its demos early for PlayStation 5, there's the suggestion BioShock 4 could simply be a timed exclusive.
Back to the earlier mention of Bethesda, let's not forget those swirling suggestions that the gigantic Starfield could be an Xbox exclusive. Those at the top of Microsoft have already warned "some" future Bethesda games will be Xbox exclusives - suggesting PlayStation owners might miss out on the sci-fi spectacular that's been brewing in the back of Bethesda for years. The console wars are hotting up, and unfortunately, we're going to have to accept that some games are going to be console exclusives. Unless you fancy stumping up for a PS5 AND Xbox Series X/S, that's just the way it is. With hopes BioShock 4 will be making waves at this year's E3, there isn't long to wait until we (hopefully) know more.
Images via Take-Two Interactive