Sony Santa Monica is a mini-publisher within SCEA, collaborating with external development teams such as Ready at Dawn and Honeyslug. However, it also houses a sizeable internal production division, which up until recently was working on a sci-fi title for the PlayStation 4. Now that that’s been cancelled, though, the question remains: just what is the company working on?
All rumours point to some form of God of War reboot, with veteran Cory Barlog seemingly leading the charge. And in an interview with Venturebeat, president Shawn Layden has hinted that the studio will be responsible for the “next big franchise” in the PS4’s portfolio. Like them or loathe them, Kratos’ shouty escapades rank right up there with Uncharted and Gran Turismo.
“In the development group we have Shannon Studstill, who runs our whole Santa Monica operation,” he said when asked about the recent Gamergate controversy, and how PlayStation strongly supports women in games. “She's going to bring the next big franchise out from there.” Oh, really?
At this point, we’re 99.9 per cent certain that this will be related to the God of War brand – when you consider that God of War III sold gangbusters on a struggling PlayStation 3, it’ll likely blow up on the platform holder’s much more popular next-gen machine – but we’re hopeful that it goes in a different direction. How about: new mythology, new characters, mixed with the same slick gameplay? Sold.
[source venturebeat.com]
Comments 33
GoW
I still haven't played 3 or Acsension, I was really looking forward to 3, but there was a long gap between when I beat GOW 2 and actually got a PS3. Kind of just lost interest, which is sad considering my love for all things Greek mythology. So if it is God of War, hopefully it will be a fresh, story fueled escapade that will renew my interest in the series, but i personally would rather see a new IP.
I must be like the only person to want Santa Monica to do something other than GoW. I feel the studio has a ton of potential but I don't want to see them pigeon holed to Kratos forever. Even Ready at Dawn is tackling a new IP.
@sinalefa I only played ascension, hated it.
"Shannon Studstill..."
How long before she got moving again?! heh
@sinalefa You're not the only person.
Why would the next big franchise be God of War? That's the next step in a big franchise, but not the next. Unless spiritual successors count.
That'd be great if they made a new GoW game for the Vita in HD. The Collection shows its entirely possible.
GoW games to me are the biggest load of crud. The skill required is non existent. My flatmate was a die hard fan and his gaming skills are that of a 3 year old.
It hurts me when people say Nintendo games are for children and yet they then turn around and play some of the easiest casual games available.
I'd rather have a brand new IP to be honest. Yeah the GOW series is pretty damn good but Im getting sick of remakes, remasters, re releases and sequels. Its the same with movies these days too. Where is the originality and creativity gone? Are publishers and developers that afraid to try new things and take risks? I've been gaming for 30 years now and Im actually starting to get fed up playing the same types of games every generation. All I can say is, thank god for indie developers as atleast they aren't afraid to try new things. Rant over...
Only played Chains of Olympus on Vita and GoW 3 on PS3 and loved them both.
I'd be well up for some new-gen Kratos!
@sinalefa On the contrary, majority of people seem to have had enough of GOW. If it is a new one - and I dearly hope it isn't - I hope the studio have been watching and playing Bayonetta 2. A single level in that has been more fun than all GOWs put together. No shame in learning from the best.
I'm still mad there's no GoW for Vita and never will be
GOD OF WAR 4
RESURRECTION
@XFsWorld Turn the Vita off. Sit there. Mash the buttons. There's God Of War Vita. That'll be £25 thanks.
@eLarkos @eLarkos you are missing the point with this game tbh. I dont like button mashers but god of war is purely for the story, which has been a fantastic story so far. So even though the gameplay is simple and kind of repetitive, it makes up for in many other ways. Also this game is not for children as the story is bloody gory and has sex/nudity. Its a mans game all over xD
Ps4 needs a new god of war!! I love hack n slash games!! And about ssm canceled game, I hope they can use those assets and make something else out of it. Fingers crossed.
@Danny2014 Yea, very true. It was the story that hooked my flatmate. And yea the comparison shouldnt be children vs adults it should be hardcore vs casual. To me, these story based games are the most casual you can get, yet the people who play "Hardcore" GoW say that Mario games are for casuals.
Im not actually caught up on this issue haha but I do find it absurdly ironic.
But I personally do find these games a huge pile of crud. I can find WAY better stories in both books and movies and I can find WAY better games on both PS and Nintendo (and MS??) consoles.
I'd love to see what GoW would look like on the PS4 but I also wouldn't mind a new character.
Interesting to read these comments, as my idea was that people loved GoW and wanted more.
Then I hope Sony is listening.
@rastamadeus >: (
@sinalefa Yeah, even if they are working on a new IP, we all should know there will be a GoW on PS4 eventually. It's a Playstation sticker!
One of the biggest GoW fans here (6 platinums) and two things irk the hell out of me when reading people's negative comments about the series:
1) It's a casual or easy game (as @eLarkos said). I challenge you to play the games on Chaos difficulty or finishing all the various trials modes available. It's gaming bliss for twitchy fingered people. Either that, or I suck at games, however without sounding cocky, I really don't!
2) They should do a different mythology. No thanks. Kratos == GoW. If they are leaving Kratos and mythical Greece behind, I'd rather they made a different franchise with a different name, since calling it GoW would just go to disappoint hardcore fans like myself.
SSM are hands down my favourite studio in WWS (tied with ND of course) and anything they make is likely to be a must buy for me. I hope they either call it a day with GoW and make another spectacular series, or stay true to the originals with evolved gameplay.
@seeafish They are casual and relatively easy games. They may have harder modes which are more for the diehard fans or those who like a challenge but they're primarily casual. Just like COD, Assassin's Creed, etc but no way near as popular.
@Savino don't fix what isn't broke
I can only imagine how giant the gods will be on ps4.
@sinalefa
I am big fan of the GOW series, but 3 wrapped up Kratos's story (pretty much) & Ascension sucked. I am hoping for a new IP here.
@seeafish What rastamadeus said.
Angry birds isnt all of a sudden not a casual game because you put it on hard mode (although im sure it would be substantially more enjoyable).
Great games use level design, gameplay mechanics etc to make the game more complex. Not just increase enemy count and hit damage.
I KNOW that GoW does not become complex as my flatmate finished all of them (He blows at gaming). Hence why I define it as casual. And crud.
@eLarkos heh, fair enough. Different tastes and all.
Tbh, not entirely sure why I love the games so much, I think it's just the meat headed kratos. I'm usually into deeper games, but GoW just captivated me and I think the story is great too, as well as the epic boss battles. They are just fun games IMHO.
@seeafish yea, well if you find them fun then that's all that matters.
I hope it's not another God of War.
New franchise please!
I think they should make the last one an then end the series cause I mean his body ain't there at the end, an then come up with a new warrior. An it must be about an Amazon warrior. There is some freakish things in the amazon......
please watch the language -Tasuki-
There was a rumor that they may go into Kratos's brother's backstory at some point (as hinted at in Ghost Of Sparta), so maybe they will give the brother his own game.
Love god of war and hope it is god if war.
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