The Callisto Protocol PS5 PS4

Striking Distance Studios, the developer behind last year's PS5, PS4 title The Callisto Protocol, has been hit with layoffs. In a statement handed to IGN, it's confirmed 32 employees have been let go so the company can "realign the studio’s priorities to better position its current and future projects for success". Those laid off (reported by VGC) include The Callisto Protocol associate producer Nora Falcon, senior environment artist Matthew Smith, and level designer Thomas Catalano.

The full statement given to IGN reads: "Striking Distance Studios and KRAFTON have implemented strategic changes that realign the studio’s priorities to better position its current and future projects for success. Unfortunately, these changes have impacted 32 employees. Honoring the invaluable contributions of each departing team member with material support in the form of outplacement services and meaningful severance packages is our top priority during this difficult moment."

While the survival horror game released last year, Striking Distance Studios has been working on DLC in the time since, with the final story-focused expansion launching in June. It was reported at the start of this year that the project failed to recoup its development costs of $162 million.

In our The Callisto Protocol PS5 review, we awarded the game a 7/10 and shared praise for its combat system, death animations, and excellent cinematics. "The Callisto Protocol is a consistently good game that, when it's at its best, gives many of the survival horror greats a run for their money. However, there's no getting around the fact the game has very little to truly call its own. In borrowing so heavily from Dead Space, there's always a sense of having been there, done that."

[source ign.com]