If you are a fan of sci-fi horror games, you might have heard of The Callisto Protocol, an upcoming game from Striking Distance Studios, led by Glen Schofield, the co-creator of Dead Space. The game was announced at The Game Awards 2020 and has been generating a lot of buzz among horror enthusiasts. But is The Callisto Protocol related to Dead Space, the iconic franchise that Schofield helped create? And how does it compare to Dead Space in terms of gameplay, story, and atmosphere? Here is everything we know so far.
Contents
- 1 The Callisto Protocol is not a Dead Space game
- 2 The Callisto Protocol is set on Jupiter’s moon Callisto
- 3 The Callisto Protocol features melee and ranged combat
- 4 The Callisto Protocol borrows some ideas from Dead Space
- 5 The Callisto Protocol was originally connected to PUBG: Battlegrounds
- 6 The Callisto Protocol is expected to release in 2022
The Callisto Protocol is not a Dead Space game
The first thing to clarify is that The Callisto Protocol is not a Dead Space game or connected to Dead Space in any way. The games are in two separate universes. The Callisto Protocol is a new IP. The only thing connecting the two games is that Glen Schofield, the founder of Striking Distance Studios, helped create the Dead Space franchise.
The Callisto Protocol is a sci-fi horror game that takes an old-school approach to survival horror. It has some of Dead Space’s DNA because of Schofield’s influence, but it is not a sequel, a reboot, or a spin-off of Dead Space.
The Callisto Protocol is set on Jupiter’s moon Callisto
The Callisto Protocol is set in the year 2320, on Jupiter’s moon Callisto. The protagonist, Jacob Lee, is a cargo ship pilot who finds himself trapped in a prison called Black Iron, which is overrun by horrifying monsters called Biophages. Jacob must survive and escape the prison, while uncovering the mysteries of Callisto and the United Jupiter Company, the megacorporation that controls the moon.
The game’s setting is inspired by classic sci-fi horror movies like Alien and The Thing, as well as real-life scientific research on Jupiter’s moons. Schofield said that he wanted to create a realistic and immersive world that would make players feel like they are really there.
The Callisto Protocol features melee and ranged combat
Like Dead Space before it, The Callisto Protocol is a third-person survival-horror game with action elements. There will be a mix of up-close melee combat and ranged weaponry, letting players improvise and decide what the best tool in a specific situation is. Because of relatively limited ammunition, like in most survival-horror games, players won’t be blasting away mindlessly while trying to survive. However, powerful weapons will still be able to destroy limbs, potentially slowing down enemies as they approach.
One of the unique features of The Callisto Protocol is the GRP device, which lets players push and pull items (or enemies) across the environment. This can be used for puzzle-solving, exploration, or combat. For example, players can use the GRP to throw objects at enemies, or pull them closer for a melee attack.
The game’s combat system is designed to make players feel scared and vulnerable, even when facing a single enemy. The Biophages are grotesque and unpredictable creatures that can attack from any direction. They can also mutate and evolve over time, creating new challenges for players.
The Callisto Protocol borrows some ideas from Dead Space
Although The Callisto Protocol is not a Dead Space game, it does borrow some ideas from Schofield’s previous work. Schofield said that he is not afraid to reuse good ideas from his own games, as long as they fit the new game’s vision. For example, The Callisto Protocol features an interface that is integrated into the character’s suit and environment, similar to Dead Space’s holographic display². This helps create a seamless and immersive experience for players.
Another example is the use of sound design and music to create tension and atmosphere. Schofield said that he learned a lot from working on Dead Space about how to use sound effectively in horror games. He said that he wants to make The Callisto Protocol one of the scariest games ever made.
The Callisto Protocol was originally connected to PUBG: Battlegrounds
One of the most surprising facts about The Callisto Protocol is that it was originally connected to PUBG: Battlegrounds, the popular battle royale game. Striking Distance Studios is owned by Krafton, the publisher of PUBG: Battlegrounds. When The Callisto Protocol was first announced, it was revealed that it takes place in the same universe as PUBG: Battlegrounds, albeit 300 years in the future.
However, this connection was later dropped by Schofield, who said that the game no longer takes place in the PUBG universe. He said that the idea of being in the same universe sounded good at first, but as the story developed, it became too far-fetched and irrelevant. He also said that he wanted to have more creative freedom and not be constrained by PUBG’s lore.
The Callisto Protocol is expected to release in 2022
The Callisto Protocol is still in development and does not have a confirmed release date yet. However, Schofield said that the game is aiming for a 2022 release. The game will be available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. There is no word on whether the game will also come to PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
The Callisto Protocol is one of the most anticipated horror games of 2022, especially for fans of Dead Space. The game promises to deliver a terrifying and immersive experience that will push the boundaries of the genre. If you are looking for a sci-fi horror game that is not related to Dead Space, but still has some of its spirit, The Callisto Protocol might be the game for you.
