The new part of Bioshock The players are probably not supposed to return to Rapture or Columbia.
Cloud Chamber, the development team behind the new title of BioshockThe series has reportedly published new job postings that offer initial clues about the title. For example, one encounters the position of Lead Environment Modeller, whose Job Description as follows:
We hope that you will play a key role in supporting us in a leadership position as we create a fantastic new world.
CloudChamber – Job postings
This suggests that this title will most likely not return to the previous game worlds, but rather offer the opportunity to explore a completely new environment. The first two installments of the series take players to the underwater world of Rapture, whereas Bioshock: Infinite played above the clouds in the city of Columbia.
However, it could also be possible that the game is a kind of reboot, in which existing characters and stories are reused and their original settings are redefined.
The game is currently in its early stages of development. It remains to be seen how the development team will continue the series without Ken Levine's involvement.