The Callisto Protocol Has Been Canceled in Japan

The Callisto Protocol won't be releasing in Japan after the country's rating system, CERO, blocked the game.

Upcoming sci-fi horror game The Callisto Protocol is set to offer fans a new Dead Space-style experience, and set to launch on Dec. 2, 2022 everywhere — except Japan. CERO has blocked the game owing to its abundance of body horror and graphic content. Despite the country being home to some of gaming's most iconic horror franchise, its rules for what can and can't be shown are pretty strict.

In most cases when games are blocked by a country's rating systems, developers will often need to release a modified version of the game either in that country or worldwide. However, developers Striking Distance Studios have decided against making any changes to the game in order to secure a Japanese release.

Of course, this is bad news for Japanese fans who will be unable to obtain a copy in their home country and the decision is unlikely to be one made lightly. Cutting content of modifying it comes with the risk of drastically altering the impact and feel of a game, as well as undermining elements of gameplay — something that the developers might be wishing to avoid.

The Callisto Protocol will release on Dec. 2, 2022, on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC.