Summary
When it releases,BioShock 4will enter a very different gaming landscape than when its predecessor was released in 2013. Many different genres have grown to include a first-person perspective, a growth accompanied by myriad advancements in implementing modern storytelling and gameplay mechanics. Just as some titles have grown to include a first-person perspective, some traditionally first-person titles, such asFalloutandResident Evil Village, now include bothfirst- and third-person perspectives, widening their appeal and making them more accessible to general audiences.
Despite its development being hinted at in 2019,BioShock 4still has yet to be officially announced, leading fans to speculate about its narrative and gameplay. Rumors surroundingBioShock 4have been circulating since at least 2020, and few have seemingly been proven true by job listings from developer Cloud Chamber. Such rumors imply that the title will include an open-world setting and feature a first-person camera. That said, third-person would be ideal forBioShock 4as it would offer non-FPS gamers a way to experience one of gaming’s greatest franchises and open the door to a variety of new and exciting gameplay features.
A Third-Person Option Could Broaden BioShock 4’s Appeal
WhileBioShockis heralded as one of thegreatest franchises of all time, a significant portion of modern gamers may not have experienced it for themselves. This is due primarily to the most recent major title in the series,BioShockInfinite,having been released over a decade ago. WhenBioShock 4is eventually released, the series will be best served by features and gameplay options that widen the impact of its long-awaited return. One way in which this could be done to great effect would be to offer players the option to switch between first and third-person perspectives.
Many players who don’t like FPS games would still appreciateBioShock, as it offers a superb mix of shooter, sci-fi, horror, and adventure elements. Similar toResident Evil’s modern storyline and gameplay elements,BioShock 4offers a blank canvasfrom which Cloud Chamber can develop a new, and even bigger, audience for the legendary franchise.
This experience can be bolstered by a third-person perspective, especially as it pertains to the title’s rumored open-world setting. In a series where environments take a spotlight role in storytelling, a third-person perspective could amplify that trademark sense of awe and mystery as Cloud Chamber introduces gamers to the series’ newest dystopian local.
BioShock 4’s Potential Third-Person Perspective Offers New Possibilities
ShouldBioShock 4feature a third-person camera option, the title could open the door to fun new features for the series. For instance, it could allow the title to introduce unlockable skins, outfits, and gear, presenting fans with the option to customize the appearance ofBioShock 4’s protagonist.
If Cloud Chamber was to make the title a true open-world RPG, players may even see features such asFallout’s character customizationthrown into the mix, offering an even greater range of individuality to the title. If so, that same franchise provides a strong case for multiple camera options, as fans have long enjoyed both perspectives and the range of customization and gameplay options they offer.
BioShock’s first-person perspectiveshould never go away,but the option to switch to third-person inBioShock 4could do wonders to differentiate it from its predecessors. Likewise, the option could broaden the gap between the newestBioShockand titles likeAtomic HeartandPrey, which have attempted and failed to seize the series' crown in its absence.
The originalBioShockset the standard for what an FPS title could be, andBioShock 4is in a position to redefine the genre yet again. By subverting expectations and offering a third-person option,BioShock 4’s impact can be broadened to encompass the gaming landscape as a whole and usher in a new and exciting future for one of gaming’s most immersive and respected properties.
