Callisto Protocol dev reveals ‘action roguelike’ spin-off game

19.03.2024 - 21:21 / videogameschronicle.com / Andy Robinson / Glen Schofield / Steve Papoutsis

The Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance Studios has revealed a spin-off game, tentatively titled ‘Project Birdseye’.

Project Birdseye is an action roguelike game set in the same universe as the 2022 survival horror game, which Striking Distance says is being worked on by a small team, alongside its next full-scale game.

“We’re excited to introduce you to something we’ve been working on,” it said, alongside a video of the project. “Since it’s still in development, we’re referring to it internally as Project Birdseye. It’s our take on a fast-action roguelike experience set in Black Iron Prison.

“Last year, a small group of us began working on a passion project that was born out of our obsession with easy to pick up and play but fun to master roguelikes. We love the world we created for The Callisto Protocol and want to keep playing in that sandbox – and Black Iron Prison is the perfect future-punk playground for the team’s vision.”

It continued: “As you can tell, this isn’t The Callisto Protocol 2 – think of it as a side quest that really resonated with the team – it let us expand the world of The Callisto Protocol and stretch our creative muscles on something a bit different without impacting development on our next AAA game.

“Since so much of The Callisto Protocol’s post-launch journey was shaped by the community, it made sense to bring everyone in during an early phase of development to see if the concept clicks with you as much as it has with us.”

Striking Distance is working on a new Unreal Engine 5 game, job listings revealed last year. The ads suggested a new start for a studio that suffered layoffs and the departure of its CEO in 2023.

In August of that year, it was confirmed that 32 employees had been laid off at Striking Distance, with reports that the remaining headcount was around 90.

The following month, it was announced that Striking Distance CEO Glen Schofield would also be leaving the studio after Callisto Protocol, which was its debut game, failed to meet expectations.