The Uncertain Future of Glen Schofield: A Pioneering Game Director at a Crossroads
Glen Schofield, the visionary behind Dead Space and director of The Callisto Protocol, is hinting that he may have directed his last game due to funding struggles for his next project. This revelation comes as the gaming industry continues to grapple with financial pressures.
Having founded Striking Distance in 2019 with the goal of creating a groundbreaking title in the PUBG universe, Schofield’s journey has seen a shift from initial enthusiasm to a challenging landscape. In a candid LinkedIn post, he expressed his disappointment over a new game idea he developed with his daughter, Nicole, who is also an experienced developer.
“Over the past eight months, I’ve been quietly working with my daughter on a new game idea,” Schofield explained. He described it as a unique blend of horror, evolving into a new sub-genre. Despite a prototype being built with a talented team and positive feedback from potential investors, the project faced unexpected financial limitations. Initial interest dwindled when suggested budgets fell from $17 million to as low as $2-5 million.
The Shift in AAA Game Development
Facing financial reality, Schofield and his team decided to abandon the project, feeling it was better to walk away than compromise their vision. The response from the industry reflects a larger trend within AAA development, where securing adequate funding has become increasingly tough.
“I miss it all—the team, the chaos, the joy of building something for fans,” Schofield lamented. He acknowledged that AAA development seems far out of reach for him at this moment, reflecting on his commitment to creating art and writing stories instead.
The Callisto Protocol itself had a mixed reception upon its release in December 2022, just ahead of the triumphant Dead Space remake by EA, which overshadowed Schofield’s latest work in terms of critical acclaim and sales success. Having departed from Striking Distance in September 2023, the future for Schofield and his team remains uncertain.
Nicole Schofield was among the many developers laid off recently at Striking Distance, highlighting the broader challenges in the industry. The studio’s most recent endeavor was the roguelike spin-off, Redacted, developed by a small team, alongside undisclosed plans for future titles.