Following the controversy regarding crunch time as Striking Distance Studios finishes up The Callisto Protocol, director Glen Schofield says he is committed to ensuring future projects are made without compulsory overtime. The Callisto Protocol recently went gold, and while Striking Distance may be done with the brunt of its crunch, it's still an issue that permeates the wider gaming industry.
In early September, while The Callisto Protocol was giving players a first look at the gore and horror awaiting them in the full release, Glen Schofield was involved in a bit of controversy on social media. Schofield, the studio head, made some remarks about how the Striking Distance team worked six to seven days a week, twelve-to-fifteen-hour days, and are exhausted but doing it because the team loves it. Users on social media were quick to point out the post as a glorification of crunch culture and found Schofield’s comments in bad taste as he is the studio head with a hand in everything from salaries to promotions. While Schofield did apologize for his post in September, the studio head is ready to deliver a more formal apology today, with a bit of clarification.
In an interview with Inverse, Schofield says that as a smaller studio, Striking Distance was very good about having a healthy work-life balance throughout development. However, towards the end of development, Schofield “messed up,” and the team was subjected to crunch. His comments on social media were intended to come off as prideful of his team for sticking through the worst of The Callisto Protocol’s crunch, and the posts were not meant to glorify the overtime. Schofield does believe the social media backlash was educational nonetheless. Regarding future projects, Schofield says that the next game or any future project will not be subject to compulsory overtime, stating, “This one was on me.”
Crunch in game development has been an ongoing focus in the industry as big-budget games get even bigger and deadlines get even tighter. While Striking Distance is past the worst of it as The Callisto Protocol prepares to ship in December, only time will tell if Schofield’s statement today rings true. No one necessarily plans for overtime, as it mostly happens out of circumstance as milestones need to be met in time for release, meaning this situation could rear its head again. What those precautions Striking Distance takes and what development for the next game will look like is up to the studio to figure out.
Regarding Striking Distance’s next game, Schofield already has some plans in the works. A sequel to The Callisto Protocol is brewing in Schofield’s mind, as he believes there are plenty of great ideas the team can iterate upon in a new game. Hopefully, the next entry in Striking Distance’s space horror franchise will be made with the healthy work-life balance Schofield promises he will deliver.
The Callisto Protocol launches December 2 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: Inverse