Santa Monica Studio could be dashing our God of War sequel hopes

Santa Monica Studio could be dashing our God of War sequel hopes

As a longtime fan who has followed Santa Monica Studio‘s God of War series since its inception, I must admit that the prospect of a new IP from these master storytellers is both exhilarating and bittersweet. On one hand, the idea of exploring fresh mythologies and worlds under SMS’s expert craftsmanship is tantalizing. On the other, Kratos has been a constant companion for two decades, and it feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.


In terms of Sony’s Santa Monica Studio, they have a knack for focusing on their strengths and staying true to them. While Kinetica was their debut game in 2001, since then they’ve been predominantly producing God of War titles since 2005. As the God of War franchise nears its 20th anniversary, it might be worth considering venturing into new territories.

In a stunning transformation, God of War, released in 2018, masterfully reimagined the setting, shifting Kratos from the scorching landscapes of ancient Greece to the frigid expanses of Norse mythology. This narrative journey culminated in Ragnarok (2022), but with this tale concluding a significant chapter in Kratos’ life, we’re left pondering where his story will lead next.

Santa Monica Studio’s new IP could be on the way

Santa Monica Studio could be dashing our God of War sequel hopes

Previously, there were rumors about Santa Monica Studio developing a new original game. Now, it seems this project is gaining more momentum. As reported by ResetEra (via Eurogamer), one of the developers at Santa Monica Studio, Glauco Longhi, has revealed that he’s managing the entire character development process for their upcoming new IP.

As a gamer, I’m ecstatic to share that I’ve been given another chance to join Santa Monica Studios as the Character Supervisor, overseeing the entire Character Development pipeline for their brand-new IP. It’s fantastic to be back working alongside this incredible team, ready to shape and mold characters in video games once more!

Longhi’s LinkedIn profile indicates that he served as a Senior Character Artist on Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 4 and 2016’s God of War, and took on the role of Lead Character Artist for Ragnarok. Given his current work on a new intellectual property in a similar position, it seems likely that he won’t be rejoining Kratos’ narrative anytime in the near future.

As an enthusiastic follower, I recall back in 2019 when Cory Barlog, the Creative Director of SMS, dropped a cryptic hint about a potential space-themed IP on his X (formerly Twitter) post. Fast forward to 2022, job listings sparked speculation among fans that the developer was embarking on an entirely new venture. However, a recent recruitment drive seems to suggest a return to the epic world of God of War for us devoted admirers.

We’re eagerly anticipating what Santa Monica Studio will create next with Kratos, but there’s a palpable sense of dismay as it appears that the character might be put aside for the time being. The rumors sparked concern among gamers, who feared that the Ghost of Sparta could be temporarily out of action due to the challenges they faced in creating Ragnarok. A concerned fan summarized their feelings by saying, “It seems they find it challenging to make another game following what they accomplished in Ragnarok.”

As a fan, I joked, “It’s high time for God’s War, guys!”, but not everyone shared my enthusiasm. One spectator surmised, “Perhaps in the future, Kratos might embark on an Egyptian journey ♥️♥️, for now, he deserves some rest.” Many agreed that after twenty years of Kratos, it’s intriguing to see what new adventures Sony Santa Monica could concoct.

It appears that Santa Monica Studio’s official website indicates they have more than 250 employees in the year 2024. Given this number, it seems challenging for them to work on both a new IP and a new God of War game simultaneously. However, considering there was a five-year gap between God of War 3 and Ascension, one might not have anticipated seeing a potential Ragnarok sequel before 2027.

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2024-08-06 19:13