The Callisto Protocol is an upcoming survival horror game that looks to be a return to form for Glen Schofield, co-creator of the iconic Dead Space franchise. From the release date to gameplay details, here’s everything we know thus far.
The very first project from Striking Distance Studios was revealed as The Callisto Protocol in 2020. Bringing his horror expertise to a new franchise, Schofield began leading a new team of developers in crafting a terrifying horror experience.
While the upcoming release was previously tied into the popular Battle Royale mythos of PUBG, that’s no longer the case. Instead, the project stands alone as its own story in its own world, Schofield has since announced.
Now that we’re just weeks out from release, here’s a full breakdown of everything there is to know about The Callisto Protocol.
Contents
- The Callisto Protocol release date
- What platforms is The Callisto Protocol on?
- Trailers
- Editions
- Plot and setting
- Gameplay details
- Helix Station
The Callisto Protocol release date
The Callisto Protocol is officially set to launch on Friday, December 2, 2022. After months of speculation, this news was revealed during the June State of Play event.
This gets the launch of Schofield’s latest project just ahead of the Dead Space remake on January 27, 2023.
What platforms is The Callisto Protocol on?
The Callisto Protocol has been built from the ground up for the latest hardware. Therefore, it will be released for Xbox Series X | S, PlayStation 5, and PC. However, that’s not all.
It was later confirmed that the project will still be released on last-gen systems too, including Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Exactly how these versions will be scaled back remains unclear.
If you’re looking at jumping in on PC, you’ll need to keep in mind the following system requirements.
Minimum system requirements to run The Callisto Protocol
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen™ 5 2600
- RAM: 8 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11
- VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon™ RX 580
- PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
- VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
- FREE DISK SPACE: 75 GB
- DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 3072 MB
Recommended system requirements to run The Callisto Protocol
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen™ 5 3600
- RAM: 16 GB
- OS: Windows 10/11
- VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1070 or AMD Radeon™ RX 5700
- PIXEL SHADER: 5.1
- VERTEX SHADER: 5.1
- FREE DISK SPACE: 75 GB
- DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 8192 MB
The Callisto Protocol trailers
Our very first look at The Callisto Protocol came during the 2020 Game Awards show. Though this trailer provided just a glimpse into the terrifying journey ahead, without revealing any key gameplay snippets just yet.
Gameplay then arrived in an epic two-minute trailer during Sony’s June 2022 State of Play broadcast. This provided our first true look at the game in action on new-gen hardware. You’ll find more gameplay lower down the page, too.
Then came a story trailer in October of 2022, revealing new characters and motivations along with broader plot details ahead of the game’s imminent launch.
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A live-action trailer also premiered on November 25, showing lead actor Josh Duhamel running for his life on the “dead moon.”
The Callisto Protocol Collector’s Editions
Alongside the standard Day One Edition that comes with downloadable content in the form of the Retro Prisoner Character & Weapons Skins Pack, along with the Contraband Pack on PlayStation only, The Callisto Protocol also has a Collector’s Edition on offer.
This physical version comes with everything from the Day One Edition, plus issue #0 of The Callisto Protocol comic series, a Steelbook case, some collectible pins, along with a statue of Jacob fighting off a mutated foe.
Of note, however, this version is only available across Xbox and PlayStation. No PC Collector’s Edition has been announced.
The Callisto Protocol plot and setting
While much of The Callisto Protocol’s narrative is being kept under wraps, for obvious reasons, we do know a few key details already. For starters, the game takes place in 2320 on Callisto, Jupiter’s “dead moon,” Schofield has revealed.
Players assume the role of protagonist Jacob Lee, an inmate at a prison on the moon. It’s a fight for survival as a mysterious outbreak spreads, morphing guards and fellow inmates alike into haunting ‘Biophage’ creatures.
Gameplay details and footage
You can check out some gory gameplay below, and yes, it appears dismemberment is a key mechanic:
Akin to Dead Space, the game is played from a third-person perspective as players wield a number of both melee and ranged weapons to fend off terrifying Biophage foes.
Also similar to Isaac in the classic EA series, The Callisto Protocol’s protagonist can use various abilities through a gravity weapon known as the GRP. From freezing enemies to launching them away, this tool seems to provide a range of options.
As for the project’s ambitions, Schofield has gone on record saying he wants to create “the scariest game on next-gen platforms.” Expect plenty of jump scares, an intense atmosphere, and as always, some truly unsettling enemy designs.
The developers have also confirmed that the game will run at 60fps on console while in performance mode and not 30. It’s believed that this update was provided after Gotham Knights was revealed to run at 30fps.
The Callisto Protocol: Helix Station
Ahead of the game’s official launch, an audiobook-style narrative is being drip-fed online. Helix Station tells the story of a skip tracer as she tracks down a criminal that’s fled from a nearby prison. Along the way, she naturally encounters many of the terrifying monsters players will soon come to grips with in the game.
Gwendoline Christie of Game of Thrones and Star Wars fame plays the leading character while Michael Ironside joins in a supporting role. The latest episodes can be listened to right here.