From Rapture to the Witcher? BioShock Writer Lands at CD Projekt After Turmoil

BioShock Narrative Lead Jumps Ship to CD Projekt Red After Development Turmoil

The swirling vortex of video game development churns again, and this time, the ripples are felt across the BioShock, Cyberpunk, and Witcher universes. Liz Albl, who was the narrative lead on the upcoming (and apparently troubled) new BioShock game, has landed a new gig: CD Projekt Red. Yes, the studio behind Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher.

From Rapture to the Witcher? BioShock Writer Lands...

This news, surfacing thanks to an update on Albl’s LinkedIn profile, shines a light on the rather messy situation brewing at Cloud Chamber, the 2K studio tasked with resurrecting the BioShock franchise. Albl joined Cloud Chamber back in 2022, bringing with her a pretty impressive resume that includes work on Ghost of Tsushima, the Far Cry series, and even a stint at Monolith Productions on the now-defunct Wonder Woman game.

But, as IGN's Tom Phillips (a

But, as IGN's Tom Phillips (a journalist I respect, by the way) reported, Albl's departure from Cloud Chamber actually happened back in August. This timing aligns with rumblings of discontent within 2K, who reportedly weren’t thrilled with the progress on the new BioShock. The shakeup was significant: Cloud Chamber's studio head, Kelley Gilmore, was reportedly removed, and creative director Hogarth de la Plante got shuffled into a publishing role. Ouch.

The real kicker? Word on the street (and in Bloomberg's reporting) is that 2K was particularly critical of the game's narrative. Hence, the expected overhaul. Now, the entire BioShock operation is under the watchful eye of Rod Fergusson, a veteran of the Gears of War and Diablo franchises. 2K clearly hopes his leadership can right the ship, so to speak.

It’s interesting, isn’t it? How these massive projects, with all their talent and resources, can still hit such roadblocks. It makes you wonder about the inherent challenges of breathing new life into beloved franchises.

And what about Ken Levine, the

And what about Ken Levine, the mastermind behind the original BioShock? His own next project, Judas, which bears more than a passing resemblance to his iconic creation, seems to be shrouded in just as much mystery. Last we heard, it was supposed to be out by March 2025, but updates have been scarce.

So, Albl finds herself at CD Projekt Red, undoubtedly bringing a wealth of experience (and perhaps a few lessons learned) to their already ambitious slate of projects. Meanwhile, the fate of BioShock 4 hangs in the balance. The gaming world, as always, waits with bated breath.