Santa Monica's New God of War Games Arriving after the Metroidvania Spin-off

It seems that the God of War series won't stay on top for long. Sources indicate that a new job posting on PlayStation's official careers page has sparked considerable speculation that Sony Santa Monica Studio is secretly working on the next instalment of Kratos's legendary story.

The job posting is for a senior combat designer, which may sound like just another job in a big studio, but the details inside tell a much bigger story. The job involves creating characters from their initial concepts to their fully realized versions in the game. This includes everything from animation and level design to art and encounters.

In short, the person who takes on this role will be in charge of how combat feels in the studio's next game. And the best part? The job posting states that they are seeking candidates with experience working on third-person melee action RPGs. It specifically mentions a desire for individuals familiar with the combat systems from God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök.

That one little line has fans all worked up. Unless the studio plans to make more God of War games, why would they want someone who knows a lot about the series? There isn't a direct confirmation, but the signs are hard to miss. For the past year and a half, rumors have circulated that Santa Monica is working on several God of War-related projects, one of which could be a spin-off.

One report that really gets people excited says that the studio might be looking back at Kratos's Greek roots. Going back to the brutal myths of ancient Greece could allow fans to revisit famous places and hear stories from that time that have never been told before.

Picture Kratos fighting Olympian gods again, with the same fiery tone that made the series famous in the first place. Would such a return risk overshadow the Norse saga, or could it be the best way to honor the character's legacy?

There are also rumors of a spin-off, but another God of War game is in the works, based on Metroidvania games. Sources indicate that this side project is already behind schedule and will now be released in 2026, rather than the previously planned 2025. Not much is known about how the gameplay will mix God of War's signature combat with Metroidvania's exploration-based design. Still, the combination sounds like a new direction for the series.

The studio, on the other hand, isn't just going to make Kratos's adventures bigger. Cory Barlog, the creative director who helped bring the franchise back to life, has already said that Sony Santa Monica is working on a new IP. He said it was technically ambitious, which means that the studio wants to go even further than what God of War did.

This, along with news of other unannounced projects, makes it very clear that Santa Monica Studio has no plans to slow down. Fans are less interested in whether something is coming and more interested in what form it will take. Will it be a direct sequel to Kratos's Norse story? A spin-off that lets players go back to Greek mythology? A daring Metroidvania test? The studio's new IP might bring something new and surprising.

There is no doubt that the buzz around Santa Monica Studio is only intensifying with this job listing and all the surrounding rumors. Following the 2018 remake of God of War, which changed the way action games are played, and Ragnarök's 2022 sequel, which was a huge hit, people have very high hopes. The studio isn't saying anything right now, but fans can't help but wonder: when the next project is finally revealed, will it shake up the gaming world again?