Santa Monica Studio has always been one of Sony’s best and biggest first party studios, but over the last few years, wit God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok, the developer’s stock has still managed to grow significantly. Of course, Ragnarok only just came out, but even so, there’s no shortage of excitement surrounding what lies ahead not only for the franchise, but for the developer as whole.
And what lies ahead, it would seem, is multiple new projects. Speaking recently with the LA Times, Santa Monica Studio’s creative director Cory Barlog revealed that the developer is working on multiple projects and is “spread out on a lot of different things.”
It’s worth remembering, of course, that Santa Monica Studio has frequently provided development support on a number of PlayStation titles by other studios, including the likes of Journey, Starhawk, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, The Order: 1886, and more.
If, however, one were to assume that the developer’s next big project is already underway behind the scenes, what does that mean for God of War and its future? As far as Ragnarok’s game director Eric Williams is concerned, even though he’s already been involved in the development of every single mainline God of War game to date, he would have have no issues with working on the franchise exclusively going forward as well.
“I remember talking to someone from another game company, where they were trying to get me to leave,” Williams said. “They said, ‘Do you just want to be known as the God of War guy for the rest of your life?’ That was your big pitch to dissuade me? Because yes, I kind of do.”
It’s worth noting that when it was announced in September 2021 that God of War Ragnarok would be directed by Williams, Santa Monica Studio also confirmed that God of War (2018) director Cory Barlog was working on something else that was in the early stages of development. Reports have indicated that that new project will also have fantasy-based setting.
The question, of course, is whether the new project is going to be a new IP (which would be the studio’s first since 2005’s original God of War), or if it’s another new God of War game. Presumably, it will feature a new mythological setting, since Ragnarok is the conclusion to the series’ Norse mythology saga.
Since its launch last week, God of War Ragnarok has got off to an impressive start both critically and commercially, having received widespread acclaim in reviews and enjoying an impressive launch in terms of sales. The game has also been nominated in 10 categories at The Game Awards 2022, including Game of the Year.
In our review of God of War Ragnarok, we awarded it a score of 10/10, saying, “God of War Ragnarok surpasses its predecessor in every way. From its captivating story to its thrilling combat to the endlessly explorable and wonderfully designed Nine Realms of Norse mythology, it’s an unequivocal triumph from top to bottom.” Read the full review through here.
God of War Ragnarok is available on PS5 and PS4.