Rumor: BioShock prequel to bring the fall of Rapture

We need only glance at the numbers, awards and "franchise" qualification from Take-Two to know that a BioShock sequel is coming. In what form (direct sequel or 'Shock spinoff?) and by which hand (2K Boston or 2K Australia – or 2K Marin?) remain the mysteries, but the latest rumor, passed along by Czech gaming site Hrej.cz, claims a prequel has entered pre-production and is on target for a summer 2009 release; a date which would be consistent with the "roughly two year interval" set by Take-Two during an investors call in September.

An unnamed source within 2K Games allegedly told Hrej that development is currently focused on scripting a plot based on events prior to the original BioShock and creating graphic design elements for such a prequel, but official word from 2K is that there is simply "nothing to announce at all." Still, a Czech source bringing the rumor along on the same day 2K Czech is formed seems like an interesting coincidence. Do the Czechs balance?

Read - Rumor source (Hrej.cz – Czech)
Read - 2K responds to rumor (Videogamer.com)