After the worldwide success of God of War Ragnarök, things went suspiciously quiet around Sony Santa Monica. While other PlayStation heavyweights such as Sucker Punch, Naughty Dog, and Insomniac were already presenting their next titles, the Californian studio remained almost completely silent.
This situation only raised more questions given the cult status of Kratos and his son Atreus.
Now, of all people, industry insiderJason Schreier has provided the first new information – quite casually in a gaming forum. Without much fanfare, he talked about the next big project from game director Cory Barlog, mentioning that it was “coming along nicely” and was the studio’s “next big thing.”
For many fans, it was a short sentence with a big impact. Speculation immediately began. Could it be a completely new brand? Or perhaps a previously unknown offshoot of the God of War universe? Schreier, however, put the brakes on:
No, it’s not a new IP. But – and here’s where it gets exciting – it could feel like one. It’s precisely this statement that is now sparking heated discussions.
What’s behind it when something familiar suddenly feels new? A change of perspective? A leap in space or time? Sony Santa Monica has proven time and again that it doesn’t stick to old patterns – but is ready to take bold steps. The next chapter is clearly not a simple sequel.
God of War, new paths and a game no one expects
The crux of the matter lies in Schreier’s wording: “Not a new brand, but a completely fresh gaming experience.” This may hint at a radical change of direction within the God of War series. In fan circles, Atreus is considered the hottest candidate for his own leading role – and indeed, a spin-off featuring him would make sense both narratively and strategically.
“Loki will go. Atreus… Atreus remains.”#GodOfWarRagnarok pic.twitter.com/4m6XVAm8KN
— Santa Monica Studio – God of War Ragnarök (@SonySantaMonica) July 15, 2025
The studio could also break new ground stylistically. A mixture of classic adventure and experimental narrative form would be conceivable – perhaps with open areas, dialogue options or even role-playing elements. Santa Monica wouldn’t be the first studio to play with new genre elements within an existing franchise. Another theory: the studio is working on reviving an almost forgotten PlayStation brand – under Barlog’s creative umbrella. Not going with a completely new IP could mean fundamentally rethinking something that already exists, for example in terms of sound, style, or mechanics.
No matter where the journey takes us, Sony Santa Monica clearly has big plans. And everything points to this being a game that will subvert expectations – and perhaps ultimately exceed them.
