Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has revealed that Cloud Chamber, the development studio behind the upcoming BioShock installment (tentatively called BioShock 4), is undergoing workforce reductions. Concurrently, industry veteran Rod Fergusson—previously overseeing the Diablo franchise—will assume leadership of the studio.

Schreier noted in a Bluesky post that Fergusson’s appointment echoes his past role in rescuing BioShock Infinite from production hurdles, suggesting history may repeat as the new title faces its own challenges.

This update comes weeks after Schreier’s earlier report that development of the game encountered significant setbacks, including leadership shakeups following a failed milestone review with publisher Take-Two Interactive.

Fergusson replaces Kelley Gilmore, who transitioned to a publishing role earlier in August. While the exact scale of the layoffs remains undisclosed, these shifts signal turbulence for the project. Fergusson’s arrival, however, offers potential stability given his expertise in steering troubled titles like Gears of War and Diablo IV to completion.

In a statement on X, Fergusson acknowledged the studio’s challenges, emphasizing his personal connection to the BioShock series and pledging to deliver a title that meets player expectations despite current obstacles.

BioShock 4’s protracted development, ongoing since 2015, has faced repeated delays and restructuring. Fergusson’s reputation as a project “fixer” provides cautious optimism, though uncertainty lingers given recent upheavals. Fans hope his involvement will finally bring clarity to the ambitious title’s future.