Legendary modern horror masterpiece,Dead Space, had a follow-up horror game in development by its original creator and his daughter, but that project has officially been canceled.Dead Spacepreviously got a different successor calledThe Callisto Protocol, which was a critical and financial disappointment, partly leading to the lay-off of the majority of Striking Distance Studios' development team, and it now looks like the series just can’t get the audience appeal it needs.
According toDead SpaceandThe Callisto ProtocolcreatorGlen Schofieldon LinkedIn, over the past eight months, he and his daughter were working on a new game that he described as a new sub-genre of horror, butthat project has beencanceled due to a lack of funding. Schofield decided to step away from the project after he was asked repeatedly to reduce the budget of the game, with him writing:“Some ideas are better left untouched than done cheap.”
The Horror Series Just Never Appealed To The Masses
It’s no secret that high-budget survival horror games not namedResident EvilorSilent Hillhave lately struggled to meet sales expectations. DespiteDead Spaceremake getting glowing reviews and a very positive fan reception, thegame reportedly underperformed financially. After all the trials in the gaming industry, Schofield is unsure if he will make another game, saying:“But maybe I’ve directed my last game. Who knows? If so thank you playing my games.”
Schofield stated that over the past eight months of development, multiple demos and meetings to move the project forward were held. Early feedback required dropping the budget to $10 million, and before he walked away,the budget was reportedly dropped to $2 to $5 million. Everyone that was working on the project is now looking for work in the gaming industry, according to Schofield.
Budgets Continue To Be An Issue For Game Development
Record Profits & Record Layoffs
With games costing more than ever to make, and the overall state of the industry being quite volatile, one of thebiggest concerns when developing a game remains its budget.Grand Theft Auto 6is estimated to be themost expensive entertainment productever made, while lower-budget games, like indie hitsHades,Blue Prince, andHollow Knight, have seen tremendous success.
Even popular franchises likeFinal Fantasyhavestruggled to be financial successesin the modern era, and horror being a niche genre dominated by just a couple of IPs makes it even harder for games likeDead Spaceto get made. No matter the reasoning, it’s still disappointing for a Schofield game to get canceled, and hopefully, theDead SpaceandCallisto Protocolveterans and newer studio members alike bounce back and keep making games.
