Dead Space creator Glen Schofield has revealed that The Callisto Protocol was forced to launch three months earlier than planned, resulting in cut content and extensive post-launch fixes.

Glen Schofield, the creator of Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, has opened up about the troubled development of Striking Distance Studios’ survival horror game.

According to Schofield, development setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic left the team needing additional time, but the game was released before it was ready.

“I was forced to ship the game. I’m mad at myself, there’s no doubt,” Schofield admitted.

The Callisto Protocol Lost Levels, Bosses and Enemies

The accelerated release schedule reportedly forced developers to remove planned levels, bosses and enemies from the final game.

Following its December 2022 launch, the development team continued working on improvements, ultimately releasing 86 patches to address issues and improve the experience.

Schofield also criticized publisher Krafton’s assessment of the game’s performance.

“They thought Callisto was a complete failure,” he explained. “What they didn’t know while all they were doing was complaining, we were doing patches.”

The Callisto Protocol 2 Was Planned but Never Approved

Schofield revealed that he had ideas for a sequel set inside a massive spacecraft junkyard, potentially expanding the survival horror universe beyond the original game’s prison setting.

However, Krafton was reportedly uninterested in continuing the franchise, leaving those plans unrealized.

The Callisto Protocol launched in December 2022 for PlayStation, Xbox and PC, but its development difficulties and reception ultimately prevented Schofield’s original vision from being fully realized.