God of War Devs Tease New Project: Is Kratos Taking a Back Seat?
Santa Monica Studio, the acclaimed developer behind the iconic God of War franchise, has been a driving force for Sony since its inception in 1999. So, any whispers of a new game from the studio are bound to cause a stir among gamers.
While best known for the legendary God of War series, which debuted on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, Santa Monica Studio's first release was the lesser-known racing title Kinetica, launched in 2001. However, since the arrival of God of War, the studio has largely dedicated its talents to Kratos' bloody adventures, with the occasional foray into other projects like Twisted Metal: Black, Journey, and The Unfinished Swan.
Recently, whispers of a new intellectual property (IP) in development at Santa Monica Studio have sent fans into a frenzy. This would mark the studio's first non-God of War release in nearly 20 years, a significant departure from their usual fare.
While neither Sony nor Santa Monica Studio has officially confirmed the existence of this new IP, a LinkedIn profile belonging to art director Glauco Longhi hinted at an early-stage game in development. Now, another intriguing clue has emerged, this time from Cory Barlog, the current God of War director and writer.
Barlog tweeted an image of himself outside Santa Monica Studio, accompanied by the caption, "After ages in the wilds of the badlands, I return to the mothership to cause chaos." While Barlog's tweet could be a playful tease about anything, many fans are hopeful that it refers to either the rumoured new IP or the next instalment in the God of War saga.
The possibility of a new God of War game is almost a certainty, whether it's within the current console generation, the next, or both. However, the prospect of a fresh, unannounced project from Santa Monica Studio is undeniably exciting.
God of War Ragnarök is currently available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. It is also slated to launch on PC on 19 September 2024.
It remains to be seen what this new venture from Santa Monica Studio holds, but the anticipation is palpable. Whether it's a new chapter in the God of War saga or a bold leap into uncharted territory, the studio's next project promises to be a captivating one.
