Striking Distance Studios has put a lot of work into The Callisto Protocol's in-game deaths, and plans to award an achievement for players who witness each one. Headed up by former Dead Space director Glen Schofield, The Callisto Protocol is tapping into the same kind of gory cosmic horror as that series. With EA developing a Dead Space remake, Callisto Protocol will eventually have the unenviable task of competing with its progenitor.

Visceral Games was known for loading their titles with disturbing imagery. From Dead Space to Dante’s Inferno, Visceral seemed to push the boundaries of what modern video games could portray. However, the most famous gross-out imagery came via the ghastly death animations of the Dead Space series, where a single mistake would likely result in the poor protagonist, Isaac Clarke, dying in a horrific fashion. Whether dismembered by Necromorphs, crushed by machines, or suffocating in the cold of space, Visceral ensured each detail of Isaac's violent end was on full display. With many former members of Visceral now a part of Striking Distance Studios, players can bet this wholesome trend will continue, especially since Callisto Protocol's more melee-focused combat gameplay will allow for more up-close, grizzly details.

Related: Glen Schofield Interview: The Callisto Protocol

In a recent interview with IGN, developer Mark James confirmed that one of Callisto Protocol’s achievements is to suffer every gruesome fate that can befall protagonist Jacob Lee. Fans following Callisto Protocol may have noticed that almost every trailer showcases a brutal end to Jacob Lee, and for good reason. “It’s become our signature now,” said James, “We have a signature death at the end of every trailer. We want you to see death not as a punishment but as a time to learn about what you did wrong, and a little bit of tongue-in-cheek entertainment about how you die.” James continued with how Callisto Protocol’s bloodthirsty denizens and environments will each have their own way to kill players, putting Callisto Protocol’s new and aptly named gore engine to the test. “In one of our trailers," James demonstrates, "he backed into a fan, and when you’re backing away from a monster you’ve got to be really careful because these hazards can kill you as much as the enemy in front of you.” While James wouldn't reveal how many deaths there would be, he coyly hinted that players will “have to work hard” to see them all.

An Achievement Awaits Those Who Die in Callisto Protocol

Striking Distance Games has made it clear that Callisto Protocol will be a very violent game. While no surprise to fans familiar with their staff's history, the concept comes at a time when games that revel in over-the-top violence haven't been as prevalent as they once were. Though popular games, such as Last of Us and Resident Evil, feature notable violence, upcoming titles like Scorn, Callisto Protocol and Dead Island 2, where violence and gore are main attractions, seem poised for a return. With gaming maturing through the years, developers and publishers inevitably found new ways to market games without resorting to ultra-violence as a selling point. Though, like Jacob Lee in Callisto Protocol, these old habits die hard.

As the end of the year release for Callisto Protocol draws closer, it'll be interesting to see whether or not it can live up to Dead Space's legacy. However, with an unrestrained focus on brutal visuals set amidst its horrific atmosphere, the spirit of that legacy seems to be intact in Callisto Protocol, despite some differences from Dead Space's combat. Hopefully, by year's end, players can discover if The Callisto Protocol is the successor they've been waiting for.

Sources: IGN, IGN/YouTube