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“Things can’t be gross or brutal for the sake of being gross or brutal – that gets old really fast,” says Steve Papoutsis, one of the creators behind the upcoming survival-horror game The Callisto Protocol.
It’s the next best horror game on the list for 2022. The Callisto Protocol is, in some parts, a spiritual successor to Dead Space, namely due to the people that make up studio behind the game.
“I suppose they (Dead Space) are both survival horror games set in space, but The Callisto Protocol is an all-new game, with a new story, in a new setting, with new characters, and a tonne of new gameplay mechanics,” Papoutsis told 9News.
Striking Distance Studios is an all-new gaming studio made up a some of the best developers and game makers in the business.
Papoutsis says players will find some similarities in style and tone between Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, but it still has it’s own unique feel.
“Many of the The Callisto Protocol’s directors, including game creator Glen Schofield, Chief Creative Officer Chris Stone, myself, and the art, audio, and lighting directors, all worked on Dead Space – so our creative fingerprints are all over both games,” he said.
Papoutsis wants gamers to know that while the studio behind The Callisto Protocol is brand new, they still have plenty to offer.
From what we’ve seen already, The Callisto Protocol is brutally terrifying and violent. But how far can game creators go? Especially given a game’s age rating is at stake.
“We’re making a horror game, so we absolutely want to scare players. But that said, great horror isn’t about any one thing,” he said.
“Things can’t be gross or brutal for the sake of being gross or brutal. That gets old really fast. We focus on blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality, while keeping a sense of humanity and making players feel helpless.”
Papoutsis says they call it “horror engineering”, with the aim to keep players guessing and allowing the game to stay fresh for hours on end.
The story of The Callisto Protocol is set 300 years into the future on one of the moons of Jupiter, and as if this setting wasn’t spooky enough – it all takes place in a maximum security prison.
The creators of the game say wanted to create something scary, but also relatable – hence setting it within our solar system.
“A big part of making a horror game is putting the player in a plausible situation that supports the story and type of game you are trying to make. By landing on the prison setting we felt that would support that goal,” Papoutsis said.
Striking Distance Studios also confirmed to 9News that players will be able to adjust the game’s difficulty to their gameplay style, and they’re also working with the team at AbleGamers to provide accessibility support for gamers with disabilities.
The Callisto Protocol is coming later this year, scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC come December 2.
