Glen Schofield, the acclaimed creator of the Dead Space franchise, has opened up about the challenging landscape of the video game industry. He revealed that current “tough” times compelled him to set aside a new horror game concept he was developing with his daughter, Nicole. The veteran developer suggested that The Callisto Protocol, his most recent directorial effort, might be his last, as he failed to secure the necessary financial backing for his new project after presenting it to investors.
In a post shared on LinkedIn, Schofield detailed his efforts to raise $17 million to fund the game`s development and assemble a small, dedicated team. Despite initial interest from potential investors, many proposed significantly lower budgets, with some offering as little as $2 million. “So last month, we decided to walk away,” Schofield wrote. He emphasized that “some ideas are better left untouched than done cheap,” adding that his team of six in the U.S. and a full crew in the UK are now seeking employment. He encouraged anyone hiring to reach out, praising their talent.
Schofield further elaborated that after decades in the industry, he is now focusing more on his personal art and writing. However, he admitted to missing the collaborative environment of “great teams” in the AAA game development space. He stated, “I spent the last 15-20 years making big AAA titles with great teams. That`s what I do. That`s what I love. But with the industry on pause, AAA feels like it`s a long ways away. So I`m back to my art. I miss it all–the team, the chaos, the joy of building something for fans. I’m still around, making art, writing stories and ideas, and still cheering the industry on. But maybe I’ve directed my last game.”
Schofield`s most recent project was The Callisto Protocol, a spiritual successor to Dead Space, developed at Striking Distance, the studio he co-founded under Krafton. Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews, frequently criticized for bugs and performance issues. Schofield previously shared in an interview that Krafton had pressured the studio to launch the game prematurely, despite earlier assurances of more development time. He desired several additional months to refine the game, but the accelerated timeline led to the removal of various enemy types and features.
Following the game`s underperformance, as reported by Krafton, Schofield departed Striking Distance in 2023. The studio subsequently experienced multiple rounds of layoffs.