BioShock 4 developer Cloud Chamber hit with layoffs as former Diablo boss steps into executive role

After the 2K executives were left unimpressed by a recent review of BioShock 4’s development, Cloud Chamber is undergoing a round of layoffs, with former Diablo series manager Rod Fergusson joining 2K as BioShock’s senior vice president.

The details:

• Earlier this month, it was reported that BioShock 4 had failed an internal review, with executives taking issue with the project’s progress, especially in terms of narrative. As a result, studio head Kelley Gilmore was removed from her role, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante was shifted over to 2K’s publishing division, though no details were shared about potential replacements.
• It has now been announced that Rod Fergusson, who recently departed Blizzard in an executive-level role, has joined 2K as the senior vice president of the BioShock franchise, marking his return to the series. "Yes, it’s true. I’m returning to 2K to lead a series that means a lot to me as the new Head of the BioShock Franchise," Fergusson wrote on LinkedIn. "I’ll be heading up Cloud Chamber and overseeing development of the next BioShock game, along with franchise extensions like the in-development Netflix movie.”
• Unfortunately, Cloud Chamber is now undergoing a round of layoffs affecting an undisclosed number of employees. The restructuring was announced via an internal email sent to staff by 2K president David Ismailer (via IGN). "Work on the next BioShock game has been underway for several years," Ismailer wrote. "While we’re excited about the foundational gameplay elements of the project, we’ve made the decision with studio leadership to rework certain aspects that are core to a BioShock game, and in doing so are reducing the size of the development team to focus on this work and give the game more time in development."