Deadspace is a highly popular video game franchise created by Glen Schofield, and so far, seven games have been released in this famed sci-fi/horror franchise, including the main series and the spinoffs.
Glen Schofield’s creation has been quite successful, but his future endeavor involving the Striking Distance Studios has left a bitter taste in his mouth, even though it was supposed to be an exciting venture for the creator.
Apparently, Gel Schofield, the creator of Deadspace, is leaving Striking Distance Studios four years after founding it. The reason for his departure has stemmed from the underwhelming influence of The Callisto Protocol, the company’s first game, as it didn’t generate expected sales revenue. He signified his leave from the company as “to pursue new opportunities.”
Read on to glean more about the topic in detail.
Why Is Glen Schofield Leaving the Striking Distance Studios?
While the creator of Deadspace and the Founder of Striking Distance Studios claimed that he is leaving to pursue new opportunities, the newly released game from the studio, The Callisto Protocol, seems to be the apparent reason.
It has been less than a year since the game debuted in December 2022; therefore, it is a bold decision to make, especially when the studio was founded by him. Striking Distance Studios is owned by Krafton, the studio behind one of the most popular video games, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG).
While his absence will certainly affect the studio’s future, Steve Papoutsis, who previously served as the Chief Development Officer for the Striking Distance Studios, will replace the founder, Glen Schofield.
In a statement shared by GameSpot, Schofield addressed why he is leaving the studio and how he is confident that Steve would propel it to new heights. He stated,
“Creating Striking Distance Studios has been an incredible journey, and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved with The Callisto Protocol, a game close to my heart. While pursuing a new adventure is exciting, leaving SDS is bittersweet, but I know the studio is in excellent hands.”
“Steve and I go way back to working at Visceral Games. I saw how successful he was in taking the reins after my departure then and how he continued the studio’s success and growth. That’s how I know he’s the one to lead the studio into its next chapter.”
How Does Glen’s Absence Affect the Striking Distance Studios?
While it is not entirely certain how his withdrawal from the studio would affect its future, his departure may very well be a normal thing for the company if Steve does a fantastic job as the new CEO, assuming he won’t perform in both positions simultaneously.
So, Steve’s role must be filled before they encounter any more problems, and according to many sources, the company underwent a few changes about two months ago when they had to lay off over 30 employees to realign the studio’s priorities.
Furthermore, the studio is currently advertising a few non-executive roles in addition to other positions, such as artists and programmers. So, it could be aiming even higher, and Glen Schofield’s absence may only be an emotional letdown and not a commercial one.
So, what do you think about the sudden decision of Deadspace’s creator? Do you think he should have stayed at Striking Distance Studios? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Source: GameSpot
