The Callisto Protocol Developer Hit With Layoffs - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 August 2023 / 3,370 Views

The Callisto Protocol developer, Striking Distance Studios, has been hit with layoffs.

The exact number of employees laid off isn't known, however, VideoGamesChronicle at least six people have been let go.

Layoffs include associate producer Nora Falcon, production coordinator Sebastian Marlow, senior environment artist Matthew Smith, VFX artist Matt Christopherson, associate level designer Thomas Catalano and level design assistant Justin Fields.

"Today marks my last day at Striking Distance Studios," Marlow posted via LinkedIn. "It’s been an absolute pleasure working here and I’m so proud of the work that everyone did to ship TCP and all of the DLC."

Smith stated, "I was impacted by the layoffs at Striking Distance Studios today and am looking for a new opportunity as a Senior Environment Artist / World Builder. I’ve worked in games for over 10 years and have worked on both linear and open-world game projects."

The Callisto Protocol released for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in December 2022.

A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.

6 Comments

VAMatt (on 02 August 2023)

I don't see a handful of layoffs at a studio that launched a game several months ago as a big deal. There are always layoffs at studios in the months after they launch games, unless they are big studios that are working on several games at a time.

KratosLives (on 02 August 2023)

I wish review sites would bring the callisto protocol back to spotlight considering the changes post launch patch. It had a bad start, but the game now is really good. I just finished the main game and now playing dlc , and it's definitely a game worth playing. The game needs more sales, if we are to ever get a sequel

Pemalite KratosLives (on 02 August 2023)

Indeed it is a solid game now.

But it should have been a solid game at launch... Things would have played out differently.

VAMatt Pemalite (on 02 August 2023)

Agreed. And that is true of many games. If you're going to take someone's money for something, you're supposed to deliver what you promised at that time. Delivering what you promised 6 months later is better than never delivering it, but it still isn't right.

Pemalite VAMatt (on 03 August 2023)

And sometimes those promises never get fulfilled. I.E. Overwatch 2, Anthem, Halo Infinite, everything Peter Molyneux ever said...

I think we do need to judge games on how they are launched, especially when they are buggy, unplayable, lacking features as we are plonking down $80-$150 AUD.

Industry might learn a lesson that way.