Glen Schofield, the creative force behind the iconic horror game Dead Space and the more recent The Callisto Protocol, just dropped a bombshell on the gaming world. In a passionate keynote speech, he declared that the industry he loves is “broken, beaten, and battered.” But he didn’t just complain- he came with a bold, if not controversial, three-point plan to fix it. This isn’t just another developer interview; it’s a call to action from a veteran who has seen it all.
A ‘Broken, Beaten, and Battered’ Industry
Speaking at Gamescom Asia, Schofield painted a grim picture of the current state of game development. He argued that years of negativity, layoffs, and a fractured community have taken their toll. “Our developers are battered,” he said, “they’ve been taking it on the chin for the last couple of years.” This isn’t just talk. Schofield has lived it. Earlier this year, he revealed that he had to walk away from a promising new horror game idea after failing to secure the necessary funding, lamenting that AAA development feels “a long ways away” in the current climate.
He sees an industry that has lost its sense of unity and is suffering for it. And now, he’s offering his roadmap to get it back on track.
Schofield’s 3-Point Plan to Save Gaming
His plan is direct and bound to spark debate across studios worldwide. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Embrace Artificial Intelligence
This is his most controversial point. While many developers fear AI will take their jobs, Schofield sees it as an essential tool for survival. “AI isn’t here to replace us,” he insisted. “It’s here to make us faster, better, and more efficient.” He’s calling on industry leaders, from EA to Activision, to start training their teams on AI immediately. He believes that by working together on training, the industry can recover and start hiring again.
2. Bring Back E3
For many, E3 is a relic of the past, but for Schofield, it was the glue that held the industry together. “E3 is the granddaddy of them all,” he said, reminiscing about how the legendary trade show made his games better. He argued that the face-to-face interaction with friends, colleagues, and competitors fostered a collaborative environment where ideas were shared freely. He feels that when big companies started hosting their own separate events, the industry became fragmented, and its collective strength weakened.
3. Work Together
This is the theme that ties his whole argument together. Whether it’s training staff on new technology or sharing ideas at a central event, Schofield’s core message is about unity. He believes the industry has become too siloed and competitive in the wrong ways. He wants to see a return to a more collaborative spirit, where studios see each other not just as rivals, but as partners in pushing the art of gaming forward.
A New Hope for Dead Space 4?
Beyond his critique of the industry, Schofield gave fans a massive reason to be excited. He’s actively trying to make Dead Space 4 a reality. He revealed that he had previously pitched an idea to EA, claiming he could save them $30-40 million, but the publisher wasn’t interested at the time.
However, with EA’s recent $55 billion sale to an investor group, Schofield sees a new opportunity. He speculates the new owners might be willing to sell dormant IPs like Dead Space to recoup costs. “I am more optimistic,” he stated. “I’m already making calls.” For fans who have been waiting for a true sequel, this is the best news they’ve had in years.
FAQs
What did Glen Schofield say about the games industry?
He called it “broken, beaten, and battered,” arguing that negativity and fragmentation have hurt developers and the games themselves.
What is his plan to fix it?
His three-point plan is to embrace AI as a tool for efficiency, bring back E3 to foster collaboration, and encourage studios to work together more.
Does Schofield think AI will replace developers?
No. He believes AI is a tool to make developers “faster, better, and more efficient,” not to replace them. He is a strong advocate for training staff on how to use it.
Is Dead Space 4 happening?
It’s not confirmed, but Glen Schofield is actively trying to make it happen. He is optimistic that EA’s new owners might be willing to sell the IP and is already making calls to pursue the opportunity.
Why did he leave his last horror project?
He and his team developed a new horror concept but could not secure the necessary funding. Investors wanted a budget of $2-5 million, which he felt was too low to do the idea justice.
What does he think of the Dead Space remake?
He said he played a little bit of it and enjoyed it, but he doesn’t believe that the game made money for EA, which might be why the publisher is not currently interested in a new installment.
Conclusion
Glen Schofield has thrown down the gauntlet. His critique of the gaming industry is harsh, and his proposed solutions are sure to be debated for months to come. But you can’t deny his passion. He’s an old-school creator fighting for the soul of the industry he helped build. Whether his ideas will be adopted is anyone’s guess, but his vocal push for change-and for a new Dead Space-proves that even in a ‘broken’ industry, the ideas and the people behind them are still the most powerful force in gaming.