The Callisto Protocol Studio Striking Distance Hit With Devastating Layoffs
Striking Distance, the studio behind The Callisto Protocol, has recently been hit with another round of layoffs, according to its parent company, Krafton. The news first emerged online today when former Director of Concept Art Jesse Lee posted on LinkedIn, stating, "most of the devs were laid off."
Krafton later confirmed the layoffs in a statement to PC Gamer, explaining that the decision was made to keep the team "agile" during this stage of development. While Krafton did not disclose the exact number of employees affected, they assured fans that these changes will not impact planned ongoing support for The Callisto Protocol and that no further changes are anticipated at this time.
This is not the first instance of workforce reductions at Striking Distance. In August 2023, 32 employees were laid off, and following the mixed reception of The Callisto Protocol—which faced performance issues, particularly on PC—key personnel departures followed. Notably, Glen Schofield left the studio in September 2023, shortly after the earlier round of layoffs. A subsequent attempt by Striking Distance to branch out with a top-down shooter also fell short, achieving a peak Steam concurrent player count of just 169.
Despite these setbacks, there is a glimmer of hope for the studio's future. A new title is reportedly in development using Unreal Engine 5. The Lead Gameplay Programmer at Striking Distance mentioned on his LinkedIn profile that he is "leading a team of 12 gameplay engineers" on this upcoming project, suggesting that the studio is striving to rebuild and innovate after the recent turbulence.
In an industry where layoffs have become increasingly common—most recently affecting teams at Marvel Rivals and Bossa Games—the situation at Striking Distance is yet another reminder of the challenges faced by game developers in today's market.
What do you think about Striking Distance's recent layoffs and their impact on the future of The Callisto Protocol? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
