Dead Space creator Glen Schofield has recently announced bad news about his next project, letting his followers know that due to a lack of proper financing, he may not direct another game. Glen Schofield is a video game designer, famous for his work on Dead Space and the survival horror genre—but despite his notable trajectory, the game industry may not see another title from him.
Dead Space was one of those titles that came to break the mold, introducing a bunch of innovative gameplay mechanics and a strong narrative that gave the horror genre a fresh twist. One key revolutionary aspect of the game was its approach to HUDs and UIs. While many games at the time had a bunch of distracting on-screen information, Dead Space made it simpler in a more natural and immersive way, without cluttering the screen. Glen Schofield played a crucial role as the co-creator, executive producer, and driving creative force behind the project while working at Visceral Games. His creative vision helped establish Dead Space as a cornerstone title in the horror genre that would later influence many future games.
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In a slightly bitter message on his LinkedIn profile, Glen Schofield commented on the current complicated state of the game industry: “It’s tough out there,” he wrote. Schofield’s next project has been canceled, as he informed, due to the lack of proper financing, and the team members behind the game are now looking for work. Schofield explained he and his daughter Nicole had been working on a new game idea for a “new sub-genre of horror,” with a target budget of $17 million. While Schofield said “people loved the concept,” he explained he couldn’t get offers above $10 million, and later only received some between $2 and $5 million.
Dead Space Director Glen Schofield Walks Away from His Next Project
Despite Schofield having built authority with legendary horror games like Dead Space, the complex state of the industry right now doesn’t favor him, and he and his daughter have had to walk away from the project, as “some ideas are better left untouched than done cheap.” He reaffirmed his passion and love for making games, but “with the industry on pause, AAA feels like it’s a long ways away,” he said. While he will continue making art, he remarked, “Maybe I’ve directed my last game.”
Unfortunately, Schofield's reflection on the current situation seems pretty accurate, as the industry is filled with layoffs, canceled titles, and repetitive games. However, on a positive note, AAA is not the only thing in the industry, and many recent examples, like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, also show the industry’s potential. It remains to be seen whether Schofield will ever be able to direct a new game.
- Released
- October 14, 2008
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Visceral Games
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Franchise
- Dead Space
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
