The Callisto Protocol Director Glen Schofield Leaves Studio, Steve Papoutsis Named CEO

Glen Schofield has left Striking Distance Studios, the studio he founded and directed its first title, The Callisto Protocol. Schofield’s most notable role is as co-creator of Dead Space and co-founder of Call of Duty developers Sledgehammer Games. Steve Papoutsis has been named the new CEO. He previously worked as Striking Distance Studios’ chief development officer, and as general manager.

Schofield is a veteran of the video game industry, having worked at THQ Crystal Dynamics Eidos Interactive since the early 90s. Schofield’s co-creation Dead Space, which was hailed by many as the most successful sci-fi horror game of 2008, made him a household name in 2008. Schofield, who had worked for Electronic Arts, Visceral Games and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 as well as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Call of Duty: WWII, co-founded Sledgehammer Games in 2008, shortly after Dead Space was a hit. Schofield, after a hiatus from development in 2019, founded Striking Distance Studios to begin work on The Callisto Protocol. Schofield was the director of that game. It served as an spiritual successor to Dead Space.

Striking Distance Studios founder Glen Schofield

Unfortunately, upon release, The Callisto Protocol fell short of expectations, earning a 69 out of 100 on review aggregate site Metacritic (including a 6 out of 10 from Game Informer) The game’s initial sales forecasts were several million short. Electronic Arts released Dead Space remake to great acclaim at around the time of The Callisto Protocol. Striking Distance Studios was forced to lay off 32 people last month. 

Papoutsis is also from the Dead Space franchise, and has worked on the original three entries at EA, Visceral Games. He took a leading role in the series after Schofield left. Papoutsis is now filling a similar role that Schofield used to hold. 

Steve Papoutsis is the new CEO at Striking Distance

Schofield, in a statement to the press said: “Creating Striking Distance Studios is an amazing experience and I am proud of everything we achieved with The Callisto Protocol. It’s a video game that’s close to my own heart.” While a new journey is thrilling, I’m sad to leave SDS, but know that the studio will be in good hands. Steve and I have been working together since Visceral games. The studio continued its growth and success after I left. It’s because of this that I am confident in his ability to take the studio forward into the next phase.”

Schofield has not yet announced what he will be doing after his departure from Striking Distance Studios. However, the official statement is that “Schofield decided to pursue other opportunities.” To learn more about the development of Striking Distance Studios, and The Callisto Protocol in general, read the cover story we wrote on this game.