Glen Schofield, owner of Striking Distance Studios and also supervisor of its very first game, The Callisto Protocol, has actually introduced he is leaving the business. Schofield is probably best referred to as the co-creator of the Dead Space franchise business and also the founder of Call of Duty programmer Sledgehammer Games. Steve Papoutsis, that formerly acted as primary growth policeman and also basic supervisor for Striking Distance Studios, has actually been designated as the brand-new chief executive officer.
Schofield has actually been energetic in the games sector because the very early 1990s, operating at business like THQ, Crystal Dynamics, and also Eidos Interactive. In 2008, Schofield ended up being recognized for his co-creation of the Dead Space franchise business, which many point to as one of the best sci-fi-horror games of the decade. Shortly after Dead Space’s success, Schofield left Electronic Arts and also Visceral Games to co-found Sledgehammer Games, which serviced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and also Call of Duty: WWII under his guidance. In 2019, complying with a break from energetic growth, Schofield started Striking Distance Studios and also started deal with the game that would certainly come to be The Callisto Protocol. Schofield acted as supervisor on that particular game, which acted as a spiritual follower to the initial Dead Space.
Unfortunately, upon launch, The Callisto Protocol disappointed assumptions, earning a 69 out of 100 on review aggregate site Metacritic (consisting of a 6 out of 10 from Game Informer) and also dropping numerous million duplicates reluctant of author Krafton’s sales forecasts. In the exact same duration as The Callisto Protocol’s launch, Electronic Arts and also Motive Studio released a remake of the original Dead Space to critical acclaim. Last month, Striking Distance Studios suffered layoffs, releasing 32 staff members.
Papoutsis likewise originates from the Dead Space collection, having actually serviced all 3 initial entrances while at EA and also Visceral Games, consisting of taking a management function with the franchise business complying with Schofield’s separation. Papoutsis once more ports right into a duty when filled up by Schofield.
“Creating Striking Distance Studios has been an incredible journey and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved with The Callisto Protocol, a game close to my heart,” Schofield stated in a news release. “While pursuing a new adventure is exciting, leaving SDS is bittersweet, but I know the studio is in excellent hands. Steve and I go way back to working at Visceral Games. I saw how successful he was in taking the reins after my departure then and how he continued the studio’s success and growth. That’s how I know he’s the one to lead the studio into its next chapter.”
There is presently no word on what Schofield will certainly do following his separation from Striking Distance Studios, however the main phrasing is that he “has decided to pursue new opportunities.” For much more on the development of Striking Distance Studios and also The Callisto Protocol, head here to review our thorough cover tale on the game.
