The Callisto Protocol

***The Callisto Protocol*** is the debut science-fiction title of Striking Distance Studios, founded by the creators of *Dead Space* and *Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare*. It was released on December 2nd, 2022. The Steam version contains Denuvo.

## Official description

Set on Jupiter’s moon Callisto in the year 2320, The Callisto Protocol is a next-generation take on survival horror. The game challenges players to escape the maximum security Black Iron Prison and uncover its terrifying secrets. A blend of horror, action, and immersive storytelling, the game aims to set a new bar for horror in interactive entertainment.

## Plot

Set 300 years in the future, the player will take on the role of Jacob Lee – a victim of fate thrown into Black Iron Prison, a maximum-security penitentiary located on Jupiter's moon, Callisto. When inmates begin to transform into monstrous creatures, the prison is thrown into chaos. To survive, Jacob must battle his way to safety to escape Black Iron Prison, while uncovering the dark and disturbing secrets buried beneath the surface of Callisto. Using a unique blend of shooting and close-quarters combat, Jacob will need to adapt his tactics to combat the rapidly evolving creatures while scavenging to unlock new weapons, gear, and abilities to outrun the growing threat and escape the horrors of Jupiter's Dead Moon.

## Cast

### Characters

* Josh Duhamel - Jacob Lee
* Karen Fukuhara - Dani Nakamura
* James C Mathis III - Warden Duncan Cole
* Sam Witwer - Capt. Leon Ferris
* Zeke Alton - Elias Porter
* Louise Barnes - Dr. Caitlyn Mahler
* Jeff Schine - Max Barrow

## Development

*The Callisto Protocol* takes inspiration from a number of sources. One of them is *Meteor Down*; a science fiction survival game conceptualized by Glen Schofield. Schofield was wary of the similarities between *Meteor Down* and *Dead Space*, but nevertheless pitched it to companies like Google, Microsoft, and PlayStation. *Meteor Down* was planned to be an entry in the universe of *PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds*. The story of *Meteor Down* involved a cataclysmic meteor impact. Despite the differences in timeframe, there would be Easter eggs referencing PUBG. According to Glen Schofield, Striking Distance viewed PUBG as "a timeline of stories that are connected by themes of survival." A timeline was plotted connecting PUBG to *Meteor Down*, later renamed "The Callisto Protocol."

However, the setting was changed to a colonized Callisto in the 24th century.

The developers used artificial intelligence inspired by a process called "generative design," when designing the game's objects, environments, and characters. By taking human-designed objects and putting them through this A.I., the designs were optimized for efficiency.

## Media

### Videos

The Callisto Protocol - Schofield Cut Extended Trailer RevealThe Callisto Protocol - Official Gameplay Reveal Trailer

## Trivia

* *The Callisto Protocol* was originally set within the PUBG Universe, but it was later scrapped to become its own Universe.
* The game's Japanese version was canceled due to its violent content and the rating it received, or lack thereof, as a result.
* The January 19, 2023 v. 3.01 update, added New Game + for free to all players on all platforms.
* The February 7, 2023 v. 3.02 update, added Hardcore Mode free to all players and added the Outer Way Skin Collection for all Season Pass players on all platforms.

## References

1. ↑ 2022-06-24, The Callisto Protocol Cover Story - The Dark Side Of The Moon. *Game Informer*, accessed on 2022-07-02
2. ↑ The Callisto Protocol on Twitter: "Thank you for being patient. Here are your PC Specs. High and Ultra coming soon."
3. ↑ The Callisto Protocol on Twitter: "Here are your High and Ultra PC Specs."
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/GlenSchofield/status/1529930056725712897
5. ↑ https://www.gameinformer.com/2022/10/27/the-callisto-protocols-japanese-version-has-been-canceled-due-to-its-violent-content