Some developers on the space horror blockbuster Callisto protocol say they were left out of the credits sequence despite extensive work on the game and major contributions to the finished product. The claims come amid a renewed push across the video game industry to fix a broken credit system this often penalizes lower-level employees and those who leave before the final layoff date.
In a new report by GamesIndustry.bizFormer employees of Striking Distance Studios say they believe about 20 developers have been left Callisto protocolThe long credits at the end of the game roll. Many were surprised by the omission, saying the studio has never officially communicated a policy to exempt developers from credits if they leave the game before the game ships. Some see it as punishment for taking a job elsewhere.
“[The credits omission] felt like an obvious FU for those who were left out,” a source told GamesIndustry.biz. “Someone wanted to send a message, and the message was, ‘Next time, be a little more loyal to us.'”
Striking Distance was founded by former Empty room Director Glen Schofield in 2019 after his departure call of Duty Studio Sledgehammer Games. Late last year, when his debut game was finishing development, Schofield was criticized for a tweet that supported the crunch culture, celebration of sacrifice and long overtime.
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While he later deleted the tweet and apologized, Bloomberg subsequently confirmed that at least some developers in the studio had been crunching during production. said Schofield Bloomberg that some employees had “worked hard for a few weeks” but overtime was not required.
Some former developers are now telling GamesIndustry.biz that studio management has made promises to address crunch culture in the very same meetings praising the many hours people have put into it. “My problem is those of us who participated in that culture, who invested time and worked intensely to make this product, were punished with a default on credit for not going the extra mile… to stay until it shipped.” would.”
The International Game Developers Association announced a plan last August to try and standardize how developers are recognized for their work, and to encourage the proliferation of tools that can make it easier to update credits when they’re missing someone or contain other inaccuracies. “Game credits are tough, especially at AAA,” said Scott Lowe, Naughty Dog’s former communications manager. tweeted in response to today’s GamesIndustry.biz report. “But the answer is simple: credit to all. The gating based on time and subjective assessments of value/impact is messy and cruel.”
Striking Distance Studios did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
