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 Space previously got a different successor called The 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 to Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol creator Glen Schofield on 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, but that project has been canceled 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.”
Dead Space Follow-Up Game Has Been Canceled
The Horror Series Just Never Appealed To The Masses
It’s no secret that high-budget survival horror games not named Resident Evil or Silent Hill have lately struggled to meet sales expectations. Despite Dead Space remake getting glowing reviews and a very positive fan reception, the game 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.”
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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 the biggest concerns when developing a game remains its budget. Grand Theft Auto 6 is estimated to be the most expensive entertainment product ever made, while lower-budget games, like indie hits Hades, Blue Prince, and Hollow Knight, have seen tremendous success.
Even popular franchises like Final Fantasy have struggled to be financial successes in the modern era, and horror being a niche genre dominated by just a couple of IPs makes it even harder for games like Dead Space to get made. No matter the reasoning, it’s still disappointing for a Schofield game to get canceled, and hopefully, the Dead Space and Callisto Protocol veterans and newer studio members alike bounce back and keep making games.
Source: Glen Schofield/LinkedIn
