Summary
Exactly whatBioShock 4will look like is unclear. It’s likely that many of thegameplay mechanics of previousBioShockentrieswill make a return, and the game’s narrative, game structure, and world-building will probably retain some of the original flavor as well. That said, it’s been over a decade since the lastBioShock, and changes should be made to a number of the series' staple characteristics, including its philosophical backdrop.
BioShockhas always been concerned with philosophy and ethics. Rapture, the setting of the first two games, was heavily influenced by the works of Ayn Rand and the philosophy of objectivism, which is an ethical framework that can be loosely defined as extreme egoism and self-centeredness. While everything about Rapture, from its characters to its distinct architecture, was designed with Randian objectivism in mind,BioShock Infinite’s steampunk cityof Columbia is a bit less stringent when it comes to its real-world philosophical influences, drawing upon various ideologies, including Puritanism and determinism, to create a more original, albeit less cohesive, fictional society.
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Where BioShock 4 Could Go With Its Philosophy
As interesting asRapture and Columbiaare, they are both based on relatively modern ideologies. Rapture is essentially completely atheistic and anti-spiritual, focusing on advancements in biology and civic engineering and thus mirroring most post-enlightenment Western societies. Columbia is far more religious, but it emulates 19th and 20th century US society in a way that makes it feel familiar to Western audiences, despite its obvious fantastical elements.BioShock 4has a unique opportunity to explore even more complex philosophies and offer fresh takes on them.
BioShock 4 Can Tackle Eastern Philosophy
AllBioShockgames focus on moral dilemmasand ethical issues that are central to modern Western society—something that is evident in the games' decision to adapt the philosophies of Western thinkers like Rand. This is fertile ground for philosophical exploration, but looking to other schools of thought, from other parts of the world, could be just as interesting.
Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Taoism could inspire a futureBioShockgame. For instance, Buddhism places a heavy emphasis on death, rebirth, and the impermanence of the material world, and it would not be too hard to imagine how these broad ideas could be adopted and corrupted by an ambitious maniac like Andrew Ryan or Zackary Comstock, using them as justification for a disregard of human life. This could work no matterwhereBioShock 4takes place, and the game could use real art, music, architecture, and people as inspiration when designing its world, similar to how the firstBioShockpulled from history with Rapture and Columbia.
BioShock 4 could comment on how individuals can twist Eastern religions to fit their own corrupt goals without criticizing the religions themselves. This would mirror the way that BioShock Infinite’s villains leverage coded Abrahamic religious ideas for selfish reasons, though the game never explicitly or directly critiques Christianity, Judaism, or Islam.
BioShock 4 Can Adapt Futurism
If Cloud Chamber wants to move away from religious commentary afterBioShock Infinite, then perhaps futurism would serve as an exciting avenue to explore. Of course, elements of futurism are explored in the original trilogy, especially the first two games, butBioShock 4has a chance to focus on more central futurist ideas, such as transhumanism, cybernetics, and solutions to overpopulation and climate change. Rather than superhuman powers stemming fromgenetic engineering like inBioShockandBioShock 2, they could come from electronic implants and advanced prosthetics, giving the gameplay a more gritty and tangible feel that would pair nicely with futurist and cyberpunk ideas.
TheBioShockworld, especially with the introduction of the multiverse inBioShock Infinite, contains virtually endless possibilities when it comes to exploring different philosophies. Since philosophical commentary sits at the core ofBioShock’s identity, setting it apart from other popular first-person shooters, it will be important forBioShock 4to add to the conversation by tackling bold and unique ideas.
