Hold onto your Leviathan Axe, because the God of War universe might be gearing up for a massive shake-up! While we're still reeling from the epic conclusion of God of War Ragnarök in 2022, it seems the halls of Asgard (and Olympus!) have been far from quiet. Sony Santa Monica Studio, the brilliant minds behind Kratos's journey, appear to be forging a brand-new adventure within the God of War realm, but here's the twist that's got everyone buzzing: it might not feature our favorite Spartan, Kratos, at all!
This exciting speculation kicked off when a now-removed LinkedIn profile for a Senior Writer at Sony Interactive Entertainment hinted at their involvement in shaping the narrative and creative direction for a "new franchise within the God of War universe." While fan theories often fly thick and fast, this one gained serious traction when industry insider Jason Schreier cryptically tweeted, "I suppose now it’s become obvious what I meant by ‘not a new IP but it might feel like one.'" This strongly suggests a project that's fresh yet familiar, a new path within an established world.
And this is the part most people miss: the God of War franchise has been anything but dormant lately. Just recently, Sony surprised us with a full remake of the original God of War trilogy, bringing Kratos's brutal campaign against the Greek gods back to life. Alongside that, a surprise 2D prequel, *Sons of Sparta*, dropped unexpectedly, offering a retro glimpse into the series' past. On the flip side, Sony also shuttered Bluepoint Games, whose live-service God of War spin-off was unfortunately cancelled after the downfall of Concord. And let's not forget the first look at Amazon's live-action adaptation, which, shall we say, has sparked quite the discussion.
So, with prequels and adaptations looking to the past and present, what does the future hold? Schreier's earlier remarks about a potential new sci-fi adventure being developed by Cory Barlog, combined with the recent LinkedIn revelation, point towards a fascinating possibility: this new "franchise" might be that very same project, a bold departure from the familiar. Imagine a God of War game that shifts genres entirely, much like the series itself transformed from a fast-paced hack-and-slash to a more narrative-driven, over-the-shoulder experience. This move would align with Sony's current strategy of expanding their beloved IPs through spin-offs, cross-media projects, and even live-service games, rather than solely focusing on entirely new intellectual properties.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it truly a God of War game if Kratos isn't at its center? Or does the universe itself hold enough rich lore to sustain new stories and protagonists? What do you think about a Kratos-less God of War spin-off? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your thoughts!
