The Callisto Protocol Developer Lays Off “Most Of The Devs”

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Summary

  • Striking Distance Studios faced massive layoffs, affecting various roles including audio, motion-capture, and engineering.
  • Former employees shared layoffs impacted most of the devs, but the studio is still developing a new AAA multiplayer game.
  • The Callisto Protocol failed to meet sales expectations, leading to layoffs, and the studio’s future project may be at risk of being canceled.

It appears that the latest round of significant job cuts has impacted Striking Distance Studios, the developers behind The Callisto Protocol.

According to posts on social media, there have been unofficial comments from former staff members about the current situation of the studio (owned by parent company Krafton).

The Callisto Protocol Developer Hit With Layoffs

As a devoted admirer, I’ve learned from posts by former colleagues on LinkedIn via 80 Level that our beloved studio underwent some significant changes last week. It appears that these alterations impacted several roles within the team.

The individuals who mentioned being let go encompassed developers from various departments such as audio production, motion capture, cloud engineering, and those responsible for managing business operations.

In a recent disclosure, the former Concept Art Director, Jesse Lee, discussed the effects of the layoffs on a majority of the development team, without revealing any specific figures.

Reflecting on the early days of Striking Distance Studios, which was around six years ago…most of the developers were let go, and it’s challenging to encapsulate everything that transpired at this moment, Lee says. However, he is incredibly proud of the work accomplished there and the individuals he collaborated with. He was instrumental in nurturing and guiding talented concept art teams. His vision for two visually stunning games emerged from countless cups of coffee throughout the day and night…and working alongside some truly exceptional and skilled artists.

Despite the recent layoffs, it appears that Striking Distance hasn’t entirely closed its doors. In fact, their upcoming project is reportedly underway, promising to be a brand-new AAA multiplayer game constructed utilizing the advanced Unreal Engine 5 technology.

Given that the studio’s staff has been reduced dramatically and their website shows no job vacancies, it’s uncertain if this project is still underway or facing potential cancellation.

Originally led by Glen Schofield, co-creator of Dead Space at Visceral Games, Striking Distance Studios departed from its company in 2023 as its leader pursued fresh ventures. This move was made following The Callisto Protocol’s underperformance in sales for Krafton, despite the game receiving a fitting conclusion with the Final Transmission DLC.

Previously, Striking Distance unveiled a less extensive title called REDACTED, which is a roguelike based within The Callisto Protocol’s universe. Despite no disclosed sales figures, the modest 240 Steam user reviews imply that the game didn’t resonate with a broad player base.

In our assessment, The Callisto Protocol received a brief yet balanced critique, stating, “The Callisto Protocol manages to operate, and its launch issues will undoubtedly be addressed over time. However, I wouldn’t advise it for anyone except those with an unusually strong curiosity.” To clarify, Striking Distance made significant post-release adjustments to the game aimed at enhancing player experience, but these modifications might have come a bit too late for some players.

If Krafton releases an official statement, we’ll let our readers know.

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2025-02-25 17:11