One of the things that happens often in the field of video games is a developer losing staff members. Then, those staff members go and make a new video game studio. It happens more times than you think, and the results have helped create some of the best titles, as these creators find a new freedom in their own studios. When The Callisto Protocol was announced, it was revealed to be made by some of the key people behind the original Dead Space games. Those titles were the epitome of sci-fi horror titles once upon a time, and as such, many people can’t stop comparing the new title to the past ones.
But that’s where the comparisons need to end in the team’s mind. While they have great respect for everything the Dead Space games did, they aren’t trying to make Dead Space 4 or anything like that. They’re making their own thing. When asked about this in an interview with studio head Mark James, he said the following.
“We didn’t design The Callisto Protocol to be Dead Space 4. We designed this to be a new IP science fiction horror game that utilizes some of the elements that have been successful in that franchise but have been successful in other games as well.”
He even pointed out that some of the similarities between the two franchises have been used by other games and series in the past. James also noted that when they were in early development, they tried to avoid certain key gameplay designs and elements from Dead Space so that they could avoid the comparisons. It clearly didn’t work.
On the other side of the spectrum, Mark James admitted that one thing he did do was go and look at the Dead Space series and think of ways they could improve upon what was done before. The surprising answer to his investigation was that of the past series’ main character Isaac Clarke. To James, the audience would feel “disconnected” from Isaac, and he didn’t want that in his new title.
Giving humanity to the new main character was vital for The Callisto Protocol, so the team brought in an actor who would be recognized, would feel approachable, and would show his flaws. That way, the audience could relate to him and not be like the “big walking tank” that Isaac Clarke was in James’ eyes.
You’ll see references to the everyman persona in how Jacob Lee does things like swing a bat. James and the team wanted to convey that he’s not trained to be a fighter or a hero he’s just trying to get through the dangers ahead of him.
We’ll find out if his plans worked when the game releases on December 2nd.
Source: True Trophies
