Callisto Protocol director Glen Schofield said the game's quality suffered because publisher Krafton insisted on an early release.
In an interview with Dan Allen Gaming (via PCGamesN), the former CEO of Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance Studios said Krafton gave him reason to believe he would have more time to complete his vision for the game, only to then go back on his word.
“I wanted to stay for about three and a half months [to work on the game],” Schofield said. “And I was convinced for three or four months that it would be like that. Then in October or September 2021, I was told, 'You'll get the time to do it, but you won't regret anything' – that was the phrase that kept coming up. You won't regret anything – just put what you want into the game.
“And so I spent the Christmas holidays designing and developing ideas with some other guys, and [then] January is coming and some of the [Krafton] People came by and just said, “No, no, no, it’s December 2022.”
“And I thought, 'This isn't going to get done and it's going to cost you more money.' It's not like it's going to cost you less money because you finish it three months early, no, because if I had just let it go on as it was going, I wouldn't have had to hire anyone. But if you want it done, I'm going to have to speed everything up by three and a half months, which means I'm going to have to squeeze people in here.”
Schofield said this problem has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which many of the studio's roughly 200 employees have fallen ill and many workers have chosen to leave the studio for better pay elsewhere.
“We were devastated,” he said. “At times, our entire visual effects and animation department was gone. And then in 2021 came the massive layoffs. 49 people quit because everyone is paying too much and people are leaving for $10,000 more. 2021 was the worst development year of my life.”
Schofield said four bosses and two enemy types had to be cut from Callisto Protocol.
Looking back on things he would have done differently, he said: “I would have spoken out. I will not deliver it. If you want the game to be delivered, [in December]you come and take over the studio.'”
Dead Space creator Schofield founded Krafton subsidiary Striking Distance in 2019 with the goal of creating an original narrative experience in the PUBG universe, although over time the project evolved into a sci-fi survival horror game that was no longer tied to the franchise.
The Callisto Protocol received mixed reviews upon its release, a month before EA released a critically acclaimed Dead Space remake, and reportedly failed to meet Krafton's sales expectations.
Schofield confirmed his “bittersweet” departure from Striking Distance in September 2023. A Krafton representative also said he has decided to pursue new opportunities and will leave the company voluntarily.
Last December, Schofield hinted at plans to announce a new game project in 2024.