Can BioShock Be Multiplayer?

Imagine diving into Rapture or soaring through Columbia alongside friends, not just as a solo adventurer. This isn't some distant dream but rather a reality that has been contemplated multiple times throughout the history of the BioShock franchise. The series, widely regarded as one of the most innovative and narrative-rich in the gaming world, was always envisioned as a primarily single-player experience. But that hasn’t stopped developers and fans from wondering, can BioShock be multiplayer? What would happen if players could share in the game's atmospheric tension, plot twists, and immersive worlds together?

The multiplayer aspect of BioShock has always been a controversial and debated topic. While the original BioShock (2007) and BioShock Infinite (2013) remained purely single-player experiences, BioShock 2 (2010) did experiment with a multiplayer mode, attempting to fuse the universe’s unique setting and combat with competitive multiplayer elements. But did this truly answer the question?

The BioShock 2 Multiplayer Experiment: A Mixed Success

To fully understand the viability of BioShock as a multiplayer game, we must first delve into BioShock 2's multiplayer mode, which was added to extend the life of the game beyond its single-player campaign. It was a bold move—taking a franchise so renowned for its deep storytelling and atmosphere and turning it into a competitive shooter experience.

In BioShock 2's multiplayer, players took on the roles of citizens of Rapture during its civil war, before the events of the first game. It was not merely a "tacked-on" mode; developers included lore-friendly elements such as audio diaries, plasmids, and even custom loadouts with iconic weapons from the series. Despite these features, the multiplayer didn’t live up to the expectations of the BioShock faithful. The core DNA of the franchise—immersive narrative and atmospheric tension—felt diluted when translated into a fast-paced multiplayer setting. The experience struggled to maintain the sense of dread and isolation that made BioShock unique.

So, why did it fall short? The simple answer lies in the inherent contradictions between what BioShock excels at and what multiplayer demands. BioShock is a game built on solitude, exploration, and the discovery of a world in chaos—multiplayer, on the other hand, tends to lean on quick reflexes, combat, and interactions with other players. When these elements mix, it becomes difficult to preserve the depth of experience that single-player fans crave.

What Would a Modern Multiplayer BioShock Look Like?

Fast-forward to today, and multiplayer gaming has evolved significantly. Games like Destiny, Fortnite, and even narrative-driven multiplayer titles like Sea of Thieves have proven that multiplayer experiences can be rich, narrative-heavy, and deeply engaging. So, does this mean the time has finally come for a truly multiplayer BioShock experience?

To answer that, we must consider two primary possibilities: cooperative multiplayer or competitive multiplayer. Each presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for a franchise like BioShock.

1. Cooperative Multiplayer: Shared Exploration

Imagine wandering the desolate halls of Rapture or Columbia with a friend. In a cooperative BioShock experience, the narrative depth of the game could remain intact—players could explore the same environments, uncovering secrets and piecing together the story together. Games like A Way Out and It Takes Two have demonstrated that cooperative storytelling can be powerful and emotionally resonant when done well.

However, maintaining the game's signature atmospheric tension would be difficult with two players. Would the presence of a partner reduce the sense of isolation that makes BioShock so compelling? How could the game balance two players engaging with enemies, environments, and puzzles, all while preserving the signature narrative twists and turns?

A potential solution could lie in asymmetrical gameplay, where each player has unique abilities and responsibilities, much like how plasmids and tonics work in the single-player campaign. For example, one player could specialize in combat while the other focuses on hacking and support, forcing teamwork and adding layers of strategy. This could retain the core tension of BioShock, while also allowing for the camaraderie of cooperative play.

2. Competitive Multiplayer: BioShock in the Age of Battle Royales?

Competitive multiplayer has seen massive innovation with the rise of battle royale games like Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone. These games have shown how dynamic, emergent gameplay can create stories that rival scripted single-player campaigns. Could BioShock's rich universe and mechanics fit into this new competitive paradigm?

One potential model could involve using BioShock's existing mechanics—plasmids, hacking, environmental manipulation—within a structured multiplayer framework. A BioShock multiplayer mode could set players loose in Rapture or Columbia, with teams or individuals vying for control of resources, plasmids, and key areas, all while navigating treacherous environments filled with AI enemies. It could become a high-stakes game of survival, blending narrative elements with emergent multiplayer storytelling.

There’s also room for a story-driven competitive mode, where teams compete to achieve objectives while uncovering fragments of a larger narrative. This could provide the best of both worlds, balancing BioShock’s atmospheric world-building with the excitement of multiplayer competition.

The Technical Hurdles: Why Multiplayer BioShock Hasn’t Happened Yet

Despite these tantalizing possibilities, there are significant technical challenges involved in creating a multiplayer BioShock game. The BioShock series relies heavily on carefully scripted moments, environmental storytelling, and tight control over pacing—all of which are much harder to maintain in a multiplayer setting. Maintaining the balance between player freedom and narrative control is tricky in any multiplayer game, but particularly so for one like BioShock, where player actions and exploration are so integral to the storytelling experience.

Another issue is combat balance. BioShock’s combat system is based around improvisation and experimentation, thanks to plasmids and tonics. In a multiplayer setting, ensuring that no one ability or weapon dominates would be critical to preserving both fun and fairness. This could require a complete reworking of the game’s combat mechanics, which would be no small feat.

And finally, the player base itself must be considered. While BioShock is beloved by many, it's known for its narrative and atmospheric elements rather than its combat or multiplayer potential. There would be a risk in alienating the core fanbase if multiplayer became a focal point at the expense of the story.

The Future: Will BioShock 4 Have Multiplayer?

As of now, BioShock 4 is in development under the banner of Cloud Chamber, and the game’s direction remains largely a mystery. Will it follow the trend of other modern games and include a multiplayer mode? If so, what form will it take?

There’s certainly a case to be made for multiplayer in BioShock’s future. With the success of narrative-driven multiplayer games, the potential for a unique BioShock multiplayer experience exists. The key will be maintaining the series' core strengths—narrative, atmosphere, and exploration—while incorporating multiplayer in a way that feels meaningful and additive.

It’s also possible that BioShock 4 will stay true to the single-player roots that made the series famous, keeping multiplayer on the back burner, or perhaps as a secondary mode. Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the BioShock universe remains ripe with untapped potential, both for solo adventurers and for those hoping to share the experience with others.