BioShock narrative lead joins CD Projekt following recent layoffs and development 'rework'

Liz Albl, the narrative protagonist of the new BioShock game, has joined Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher studio CD Projekt Red.

The move is as follows 2K recently decided to “re-engineer” the development of its long-gestating BioShock 4 projectwhich has been in development since at least 2018.

Albl has joined 2K's secretive studio Cloud Chamber, tasked with creating a new “BioShock” chapter. Back to 2022. Now, update LinkedIn It was made clear that the former narrative boss left the company back in August – when 2K says it's not satisfied with progress and announces layoffs.

“Work has been underway on the next BioShock game for several years,” noted an email from 2K president David Ismailer to Cloud Chamber staff at the time, obtained by IGN. “While we are excited about the fundamental gameplay elements of the project, we have decided with studio leadership to redesign certain aspects of the core BioShock gameplay. Doing so will reduce the size of the development team to focus on this work and provide more development time for the game.”

one Bloomberg Reports confirm that Cloud Chamber Games studio head Kelley Gilmore has been fired, among other layoffs, while creative director Hogarth de la Plante has been moved to a publishing role.

The timing of Albl's departure from the studio makes sense, then, in August, when reports surfaced that 2K Games was particularly critical of the game's narrative issues. BioShock 4's story is now expected to be overhauled, with development being overseen by former Gears of War boss and Diablo series lead Rod Fergusson, who 2K has appointed as the new overall head of Cloud Chamber and the BioShock series.

Prior to joining Cloud Chamber, Albl spent two years at Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor studio Monolith Productions and Warner Bros. The now-canceled Wonder Woman game. Prior to that, Arbor spent several years at PlayStation's Sucker Punch studio, writing Ghost of Tsushima, and worked at Ubisoft on the Far Cry and Watch Dogs series.

Little is known about the next BioShock game, although scattered hints in job descriptions and other possible leaks suggest it will be set in Brand new locationand has the characteristics open world elements. When IGN last Ask Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick about the game's progresshe assured that “BioShock 4” will definitely be “launched”, but did not disclose the specific time.

As for BioShock original creator Ken Levine, there are few new words for his own long-awaited next project, the BioShock-esque Judas. Although it was before Expected to be by March 2025we haven't had a new update in a while.

Tom Phillips is IGN's news editor. You can contact Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social