Glen Schofield, the visionary behind Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, has finally broken his silence about what went catastrophically wrong with his latest horror masterpiece. The $160 million project that was meant to revolutionize survival horror instead became a cautionary tale about corporate interference and rushed development.
The Callisto Protocol’s Astronomical Budget Shocked Everyone
When Krafton first heard about The Callisto Protocol’s budget, they couldn’t believe their eyes. The game ultimately cost a staggering $160 million, forcing the publisher to audit Schofield’s Striking Distance Studios not once, but twice.
“They couldn’t believe that we spent $100 million,” Schofield explains. The massive budget wasn’t just about game development. The team had to build everything from scratch – a new studio in the United States, transition from PS4 to PS5 development, and even construct a publishing company from the ground up.
This wasn’t your typical game development scenario. Schofield was essentially building an empire while trying to create a spiritual successor to Dead Space.
COVID-19 and Personal Struggles Nearly Destroyed the Project
The Callisto Protocol development coincided with one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Schofield had to manage 200 developers scattered across the globe during the pandemic, while simultaneously dealing with serious personal health issues.
“I had two major operations during COVID, a knee replacement and shoulder. I put on a lot of weight. I was not myself,” Schofield admits. The combination of global chaos, supply chain issues for dev kits, and his own health struggles created what he describes as “a freaking mess.”
Despite these challenges, Schofield has since recovered, losing 90 pounds and getting back in shape. But the damage to the project was already done.
Publisher Pressure Forced a Disastrous Early Release
Perhaps the most damaging decision came from Krafton’s insistence on a December 2022 release date. Schofield reveals that the publisher demanded the game ship before Christmas due to concerns about the Korean stock market.
“They told me that the game has to ship in December because of the Korean stock market. I should have just shut it down right there. I’m mad at myself on that one,” Schofield confesses.
This rushed timeline had devastating consequences. The PC version launched as what Schofield himself calls “a shit show,” earning the game negative reviews that would haunt its reputation permanently.
Cut Content and Missing Features
The early release meant significant content had to be removed from The Callisto Protocol. Schofield revealed in 2024 that the game was released three months earlier than planned, resulting in the removal of:
- Four complete boss battles
- Two enemy types
- Additional story content and polish
This cut content could have potentially addressed many of the criticisms about the game’s length and variety that reviewers frequently mentioned.
The Studio’s Tragic Aftermath
The commercial disappointment of The Callisto Protocol had severe consequences for Striking Distance Studios. After the game’s release:
- 32 employees were laid off in August 2023
- Glen Schofield departed the studio in September 2023
- Most remaining developers were laid off by February 2025
- 49 developers had already resigned during development in 2021
The studio that was meant to expand the PUBG universe and create the next generation of horror games essentially collapsed under the weight of its ambitious first project.
Schofield’s Current Situation and Future Plans
Since leaving Striking Distance Studios, Glen Schofield has been searching for funding for his next project. Industry reports from July 2025 indicate he’s been unable to secure backing for a new game, despite his legendary status as the creator of Dead Space.
Interestingly, Schofield has expressed strong support for AI in game development, stating he’s “100% behind” using generative AI tools. This suggests he’s looking toward emerging technologies to potentially streamline future development processes.
What The Callisto Protocol Could Have Been
Despite its troubled launch, Schofield believes there should be a Callisto Protocol 2. The original game, while flawed, demonstrated the potential of the concept. With proper development time and less corporate interference, a sequel could address the original’s shortcomings.
The game’s core mechanics and horror atmosphere showed promise, but the rushed development prevented it from reaching its full potential.
FAQs
Why did The Callisto Protocol cost so much to develop?
The $160 million budget included building a new studio, transitioning from PS4 to PS5 development, creating a publishing company from scratch, and managing development during COVID-19 with global supply chain issues.
What went wrong with The Callisto Protocol’s development?
Key issues included publisher pressure for early release, COVID-19 complications, Schofield’s health problems, staff resignations, and the removal of significant content due to time constraints.
How much content was cut from The Callisto Protocol?
The game lost four boss battles and two enemy types when it was released three months earlier than planned. Additional story content and polish were also removed.
Is Glen Schofield working on a new game?
As of July 2025, Schofield has been unable to secure funding for his next project, despite his reputation as the creator of Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol.
Will there be a Callisto Protocol 2?
Glen Schofield believes there should be a sequel and has expressed interest in creating one, but no official plans have been announced and Striking Distance Studios has largely shut down.
What is Glen Schofield doing now?
After leaving Striking Distance Studios in September 2023, Schofield has been seeking funding for new projects and has expressed strong support for using AI in game development.
Conclusion
The Callisto Protocol serves as a stark reminder of how corporate pressure and rushed development can destroy even the most promising projects. Glen Schofield’s candid revelations about the game’s troubled development highlight the human cost of the gaming industry’s demanding schedules and profit-driven decisions.
While The Callisto Protocol may have failed to meet expectations, Schofield’s transparency about its development problems offers valuable lessons for the industry. His story demonstrates that even legendary developers aren’t immune to the pressures and challenges of modern game development.
As Schofield continues his search for funding and new opportunities, the gaming community can only hope his next project will have the time, resources, and creative freedom that The Callisto Protocol desperately needed.