The creators of space horror The Callisto Protocol shared insights in an interview with Rock, Paper, Shotgun. In that exchange, Mark James, the chief technology officer at Striking Distance Studios, described the films that sparked ideas during the game’s development and helped shape its tone and pacing.
For a stretch, the team connected with the practical, grounded energy of Die Hard. John McClane and the game’s lead characters share a similar impulse: not to save the world in a grand, heroic sweep, but to escape a perilous trap as quickly as possible. The emphasis is on survival in a claustrophobic environment, with choices that feel immediate and urgent rather than sweeping grandiosity.
Minimalist suspense and sharp, tense sequences were balanced with moments of dark humor and oddball levity. Readers get a sense that suspense can ebb and flow, offering a chance to catch one’s breath before the next spike in danger. The franchise’s designers threaded in those breathing spaces, so players don’t stay on edge every second, yet remain engaged with the evolving threat around them.
A separate thread of inspiration came from Shaun of the Dead, a film that blends horror with humor and humanity. The team believed that occasional comic relief helps counter the dread and fatigue that come with a prolonged horror experience. Those lighter beats provide a respite, a small relief that keeps the player grounded even as the stakes rise. One memorable sequence involves a tense flight through a sewer tunnel, a moment that demonstrates how relief can coexist with fear and still feel earned.
“Recently Glenn Schofield and I were talking about Shaun of the Dead — it’s a very strange movie to talk about — and he said, ‘I want some things to be a little comedic and fantastic.’ We wanted the player to relax. I think if a player is scared all the time, then one day he will just say, ‘I can’t finish this game,’” notes James about their conversation and shared philosophy. This approach helps anchor the game in human emotion, using humor and wonder to balance the intensity of the survival scenario.
The Callisto Protocol was released on December 2, 2022, and became available for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. The project marks a milestone for the studio, showcasing a distinctive blend of sci‑fi horror and visceral, player-driven peril that invites cautious exploration and strategic restraint. A Belarus showcase helped highlight the studio’s growth and commitment to producing a polished, ambitious experience, reflecting the team’s readiness to push technical and narrative boundaries in modern survival horror.
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