The tales of Kratos in the God of War series now extend beyond him to include his son, Atreus, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery while unraveling his father's violent past. With the success of God of War Ragnarok and the Valhalla DLC, fans have been pondering the possibility of a rumored half-sequel that might shift the focus to Atreus. Drawing parallels to Spider-Man's Miles Morales by Insomniac Games, Atreus could emerge as a fitting heir to the franchise, offering players a fresh perspective to delve into the game's universe.
However, any whispers of a clandestine half-sequel should be taken cautiously, as there has been no official acknowledgment from Sony or its studio, Sony Santa Monica, the creative minds behind the series. Post the launch of the Valhalla DLC, the studio seems engrossed in an unannounced third-person action project, which could potentially be the much-speculated half-sequel. Yet, in light of recent revelations by Sony's president, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki, the absence of any new significant IP launches for PS5 this fiscal year casts a shadow of doubt over the prospects of a God of War continuation.
Sony's Declaration of No Major First-Party Releases in 2024
The future endeavors of Sony Santa Monica remain shrouded in mystery, whether it pertains to the envisioned Atreus-led half-sequel or a fresh addition to the God of War series, signaling an extensive wait before any potential release. Hiroki Totoki unequivocally quashed any prospects of major game launches this year. The latest financial report from Sony does not outright dismiss the notion of a half-sequel but firmly asserts the absence of significant releases from established franchises in 2024. Totoki specifically stated, '...we do not plan to release any new major existing franchise titles next fiscal year like God of War Ragnarok and Marvelʼs Spider-Man.'
Speculations Surrounding God of War Half-Sequel
The buzz surrounding the future trajectory of the God of War series ignited with a tweet from a leaker named ViewerAnon on Twitter, hinting at Sony Santa Monica's involvement in 'God of War stuff,' potentially encompassing more God of War Ragnarok DLC or a half-sequel. The concept of half-sequels emerges as a viable approach to bridging the gap between AAA releases, offering burgeoning developers the chance to contribute to marquee titles like God of War. This conjecture gained traction with a job listing seeking combat designers with experience in God of War gameplay.
Moreover, rumors from The Xbox Era Podcast allude to a plausible remake or remaster of the original God of War trilogy. While these projects could be in the pipeline, they are veiled in secrecy. The same aura of mystery envelops the speculated half-sequel. It is conceivable that rather than immediate releases, Sony might unveil exciting prospects about upcoming projects later in the year. Events like PlayStation's 2024 State of Play in January showcased new titles such as Rise of the Ronin and sequels like Death Stranding 2. Platforms like June's Summer Games Fest and The Game Awards in December could serve as prime stages for significant God of War revelations.
The year 2024 may lack major first-party releases from Sony, but this does not preclude the possibility of announcements regarding remasters, remakes, sequels, or half-sequels at the opportune moment. Hopefully, fans will receive further insights into the future of God of War later this year, albeit contingent on official disclosures from Sony, prompting fans to approach any rumblings about forthcoming God of War projects with a measured skepticism.