Little info has been officially revealed about BioShock 4, but rumors have been flying. For example, developer Cloud Chamber Studios recently made a job posting seeking a Senior Writer "who can weave impactful, character-driven stories in an open world setting." If BioShock 4 features an open world, that could be significant departure from previous games in the series.
Though every BioShock title has showcased a sprawling, fantastical city, each game has been fairly linear. Locked doors and caved-in tunnels abound, creating the illusion that the players have more exploration options than they actually do. The illusion of choice is an overarching theme of the series, and this trick underlines it well. BioShock 4 would ultiamtely need to convey that theme in a different way if it moves to an open world setting.
How Open is Open?
Before jumping too far down the rabbit hole of what an open world setting could mean for BioShock 4, it's worth considering what the term implies. While Skyrim and Grand Theft Auto are emblematic of open world exploration, it's possible that the job posting uses the term more loosely. BioShock 4 could be more open than its prequels, but with limits. An expansive environment doesn't necessarily preclude a linear narrative.
Given BioShock's focus on genetic modification and bionic enhancement, it's also possible that Metroidvania elements might be present. Players may need to complete specific story objectives in order to gain the abilities that will let them reach other areas of the world. This would allow Cloud Chamber Studios to provide elements of an open-world game, albeit at a controlled pace.
New Possibilities
At the end of BioShock Infinite, Elizabeth stands in an endless sea of identical lighthouses and tells Booker, "There's always a lighthouse. There's always a man. There's always a city." There could be countless cities like Rapture and Columbia, and BioShock 4 might allow players to visit more than one of them.
If this is the case, then the open-world setting makes sense. Allowing players to visit these parallel realities in any order they wish would be a first, but would give them more room to solve problems without constant hand-holding. BioShock Infinite already established that characters can travel through time by hopping between realities, so that would also justify giving players more time to explore.
This doesn't necessarily mean that the entire game would need to take place in an open world. There could be some sections of BioShock 4 that feature an open world, while others might employ a more linear structure. This could be a way for BioShock 4 to subvert players expectations of being able to choose one's fate. Alternatively, the game could be scripted in such a way that the same event can happen in multiple locations.
Spoiled for Choice
Of course, these theories assume that Cloud Chamber Studios keeps BioShock 4's open-world elements reigned in. The sequel might lean into a style of gameplay more similar to a Bethesda game, which would be completely new for the series. If that is the case, the game might not feel like BioShock. Open-world games like Skyrim and Fallout 4 are fun to play, but their stories aren't typically all that satisfying. Their main quests take a back seat to a series of side quests, and the lack of urgency completely breaks the immersion of the game. Open worlds are typically more focus on the environment.
In contrast, the BioShock series excels at telling linear stories. Players rarely have a spare moment to breathe, let alone run a Thieves' Guild or build an entire settlement. While it could be interesting to allow players to explore one of the series' sprawling cities at a more languid pace, it would likely mean sacrificing the high-stakes narrative that many fans are expecting.
Though BioShock 4 could certainly benefit from the inclusion of open-world elements, player agency isn't intrinsically necessary to a game's success, and only becomes a positive element if supported by a strong narrative. It's certainly possible to present a compelling story in an open world, but doing so could be a challenging task.
BioShock 4 is currently in development.