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Upcoming videogame The Callisto Protocol defines “horror engineering”

"Things can't be gross or brutal for the sake of being gross or brutal – that gets old really fast," says Steve Papoutsis, one of the creators behind the upcoming survival-horror game The Callisto Protocol. 

It's the next best horror game on the list for 2022. The Callisto Protocol is, in some parts, a spiritual successor to Dead Space, namely due to the people that make up studio behind the game.

"I suppose they (Dead Space) are both survival horror games set in space, but The Callisto Protocol is an all-new game, with a new story, in a new setting, with new characters, and a tonne of new gameplay mechanics," Papoutsis told 9News.  

Striking Distance Studios is an all-new gaming studio made up a some of the best developers and game makers in the business.

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Papoutsis says players will find some similarities in style and tone between Dead Space and The Callisto Protocol, but it still has it's own unique feel.

"Many of the The Callisto Protocol's directors, including game creator Glen Schofield, Chief Creative Officer Chris Stone, myself, and the art, audio, and lighting directors, all worked on Dead Space – so our creative fingerprints are all over both games," he said.

Papoutsis wants gamers to know that while the studio behind The Callisto Protocol is brand new, they still have plenty to offer.  

From what we've seen already, The Callisto Protocol is brutally terrifying and violent. But how far can game creators go? Especially given a game's age rating is at stake. 

"We're making a horror game, so we absolutely want to scare players.  But that said, great horror isn't about any one thing," he said. 

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"Things can't be gross or brutal for the sake of being gross or brutal. That gets old really fast. We focus on blending atmosphere, tension, and brutality, while keeping a sense of humanity and making players feel helpless."

Papoutsis says they call it "horror engineering", with the aim to keep players guessing and allowing the game to stay fresh for hours on end. 

The story of The Callisto Protocol is set 300 years into the future on one of the moons of Jupiter, and as if this setting wasn't spooky enough – it all takes place in a maximum security prison. 

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The creators of the game say wanted to create something scary, but also relatable – hence setting it within our solar system. 

"A big part of making a horror game is putting the player in a plausible situation that supports the story and type of game you are trying to make. By landing on the prison setting we felt that would support that goal," Papoutsis said. 

Striking Distance Studios also confirmed to 9News that players will be able to adjust the game's difficulty to their gameplay style, and they're also working with the team at AbleGamers to provide accessibility support for gamers with disabilities. 

The Callisto Protocol is coming later this year, scheduled for release on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC come December 2. 

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Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose approved for over-30s

Australians aged 30 and over are now eligible to receive a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose from next week following advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

From July 11 ATAGI has recommended that people aged 50 to 64 years old should receive a fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years old may choose to have a fourth dose.

People aged 65 and over are already eligible for a fourth dose.

Here's everything we know about the latest changes to Australia's COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

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Who is eligible for a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose?

Everybody who is aged 30 and above will be eligible for a fourth dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This eligibility will start next week, on July 11.

Currently, only four groups of people are eligible for a fourth dose, including people aged 65 and over, First Nations Australians aged 50 and over, residents in aged care and disability settings and people who are immunocompromised.

Can I get a flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster at the same time?

In updated health advice, ATAGI said it is okay for patients to get both a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster on the same day.

"All COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered (given on the same day) with an influenza vaccine," it said.

The group explained a resurgence of influence is expected in 2022 with borders reopening.

"If a person had a 2021 influenza vaccine in late 2021 or early 2022, they are still recommended to receive a 2022 formulation of influenza vaccine when it becomes available," it said.

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Health Minister Mark Butler

When should I get the fourth COVID-19 booster?

ATAGI recommends that eligible people only receive a fourth COVID-19 booster at least three months after they receive their third booster.

This has been reduced from four months.

What if I've recently had COVID?

Similarly, ATAGI recommends that eligible people wait three months after being infected with COVID-19 before receiving a fourth dose.

Health Minister Mark Butler said the new subvariants meant that many people who have previously been infected with COVID-19 are not automatically provided with protection.

"What is particularly unique and different around BA.4 and BA.5 (is) they're very good at evading people's immunity," he said.

"If you have immunity from vaccines or from having COVID, you're still susceptible. Just because you had COVID earlier in the year doesn't mean you're not at risk of getting it again with this third wave."

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FILE - Vaxzevria COVID-19 vaccine, previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca, are pictured at the Assad Iben El Fourat school in Oued Ellil, outside Tunis, on Aug.8, 2021.

Does it matter what brand of COVID-19 booster I receive for my fourth dose?

No.

Why can't people aged under 30 get a fourth dose?

The experts are not yet convinced of the science for younger people.

"ATAGI did not support making the fourth dose available to healthy adults under the age of 30 years as it was not clear whether the benefits outweighed the risks in this population group," the group said.

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What's the point of getting a fourth COVID-19 booster?

You're at a decreased likelihood of being hospitalised if you catch COVID-19.

According to ATAGI, "increasing the uptake of fourth doses in the most at-risk population groups during this time is anticipated to play a limited, but important, role in reducing the risk to individuals of severe outcomes while taking pressure off Australia's health care system".