The Callisto Protocol has been completely canceled in Japan following a dispute between developer Striking Distance Studios and the Japanese ratings board.
As reported by PC Gamer, Striking Distance announced on Twitter that the current version of The Callisto Protocol – a particularly gory and violent horror game from Dead Space creator Glen Schofield – cannot pass Japan’s Computer Entertainment Rating Organisation (CERO) in its current form, and altering the game would remove from its vision.
The two sides are therefore at a standstill, as CERO won’t give the game a rating before its content is changed, and Striking Distance won’t change it. Neither company explained what about the game was deemed to be an issue.
— The Callisto Protocol (@CallistoGameJP) October 26, 2022
“The Callisto Protocol’s Japanese version has been discontinued. At present, it cannot pass the CERO rating,” Striking Distance said in the tweet, adding that changing The Callisto Protocol will “not provide the experience players expect”.
Those who preordered the game will be given full refunds but, without importing it from another region, won’t have any way to play the game they were looking forward to.
The Callisto Protocol arrives on December 2 for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, a release date that forced Striking Distance to crunch for in September. Schofield tweeted that he was proud for his team working six to seven days a week, though quickly apologised and has admitted he “messed up”.
In a preview of the game, IGN said: “While it’s undeniable that The Callisto Protocol has Dead Space vibes, it’s the small factors that suggest it could feel more of its own design and not just a fourth Dead Space by a different name.”
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.