Exclusive: Callisto Protocol's Final DLC Shatters Boundaries, Ascends to Next-Gen!

The Final Transmission DLC for The Callisto Protocol, developed by Striking Distance Studios, will have a temporary exclusivity on PlayStation platforms. This survival horror game is set to release its last story DLC in late June, but it will initially only be available on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. It seems that PlayStation has secured a deal with Krafton, the publisher of The Callisto Protocol, to keep the Final Transmission DLC exclusive to their platforms, albeit for a limited time.

In The Callisto Protocol, which was launched in late 2022, players follow the journey of protagonist Jacob Lee. Lee finds himself imprisoned in a facility located on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons, under mysterious circumstances. Just as Lee becomes acquainted with the prison system, chaos ensues and he must fight for his life as the inmates become infected with a violent-inducing disease. The game's main story concludes with a cliffhanger, teasing the upcoming Final Transmission DLC which is included in the game's season pass.

The announcement of Final Transmission came with a significant caveat: it would initially only be available on PlayStation platforms. This meant that PC and Xbox users who had pre-purchased the season pass would have to wait. The specifics of the exclusivity period were only recently confirmed, and it remains unclear when the season pass went on sale at The Callisto Protocol's launch.

While it may be frustrating that Krafton granted PlayStation a period of exclusivity for Final Transmission, the wait will be relatively short. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on June 27, with PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S users gaining access just two days later on June 29. This exclusivity period of two days is being portrayed as an "early access" phase rather than a true platform exclusivity.

The issue arises from the fact that a two-day exclusivity window may seem insignificant, but it is more than enough time to complete a story-based DLC like Final Transmission. This means that PlayStation players of The Callisto Protocol can finish the DLC and share their experiences online before PC or Xbox players even have the chance to play it. This unexpected scenario may not align with the expectations of PC and Xbox season pass owners, who made their purchase anticipating equal access to the content.

While the decision to make Final Transmission exclusive for two days may generate controversy, it can also be seen as somewhat justifiable. The Callisto Protocol received lukewarm reception both critically and in terms of sales. Krafton, the developer, may have opted for an exclusivity window to recoup some of the development costs. However, understanding the reasoning behind the decision doesn't necessarily mean it is the right one. Unfortunately, PC and Xbox players have limited options, apart from possibly requesting refunds.

The Callisto Protocol is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.