Callisto Protocol dev Striking Distance Studios hit with layoffs

Numerous developers at Striking Distance Studios have reportedly been laid off. As noted by Twitter user Taleboules, now-ex staff members have recently taken to LinkedIn to announce their last days at the studio. 

The complete number of affected employees hasn't been disclosed. However, these layoffs appears to have affected staff in departments such as design, art, production, and potentially QA. 

Striking Distance released its first (and currently, only) game, The Callisto Protocol, in late 2022. Its big claim to fame at the time was being a spiritual successor to Electronic Arts' Dead Space franchise, helped by the fact that co-director Glen Schofield was an executive producer on the original Dead Space. 

Earlier this year, it was reported that the base Callisto Protocol game failed to meet the sales targets of publisher Krafton. In June, its lifecycle came to an end with the release of the Final Transmission DLC. 

Game Developer has reached out to Striking Distance and will update the story when a response is given. 

Update: In a statement released to outlets such as IGN, Striking Distance confirmed 32 employees were impacted by the recent layoffs. 

The developer said that it and Krafton made these cuts as part of a reorganization strategy meant "to better position its current and future projects for success."

"Honoring the invaluable contributions of each departing team member with material support in the form of outplacement services and meaningful severance packages is our top priority during this difficult moment." 

At time of writing, neither Striking Distance nor Krafton have indicated anything about the studio's next project.