Lots of Cool PS4 Stuff Coming from Sony Santa Monica

First-party firm plans to blow minds

by Sammy Barker Wed 29th Jul 2015

Sony Santa Monica, the micro-publishing arm and premier development team within SCEA, has "lots of cool stuff on the way" – and we're assuming that it's not just referring to Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and Fat Princess Adventures. Speaking on the latest episode of Conversations with Creators, the firm hinted that it held a "gathering" for all of its teams shortly after E3 – and there was some mind blowing stuff on display.

"The line-up that we have, the stuff that we're working on… It scares the hell out of me and makes me want to go back to work and work harder," said Cory Barlog, who's been brought back into the firm's fold after some time away. "And that's awesome. That is a great time to be playing games, to be a gamer. To actually be consuming this content. I think what we have is exciting. I don't know how specific we can get..."

In addition to the external projects that the studio's helping bring to life, Barlog confirmed at a PlayStation Experience panel that a new God of War game is in development. Exactly what direction it will take remains to be seen, but we're personally hoping for a whole new mythology with a fresh cast of characters. We suspect that Sony will keep the title under wraps for the time being, but we'd bet on it putting in an appearance at the next E3.

[source blog.us.playstation.com, via dualshockers.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Anchorsam_9
Wed 29th Jul 2015

CRASH CRASH CRASH CRASH

2
banacheck
Wed 29th Jul 2015

God Of War 4 is going to be amazing on the PS4, the scale what they are going to be able to do will be insane. Cannot wait to hear & see more news on GOW4, hopefully soon than later.

3
stevie85
Wed 29th Jul 2015

Norse Mythology would be a good setting. However a part of me still thinks Kratos may have unfinished business.

4
LieutenantFatman
Wed 29th Jul 2015

Oh no, not more Kratos, please no. I would of thought they would want to move on to something else by now. Certainly one of Sony's least interesting studios as far as I'm concerned until they show they can make a new exciting IP.

5
fchinaski
Wed 29th Jul 2015

I think it must be proving challenging for the team behind the new GoW to improve on the formula of the series. With open world games being all the rage right now, I reckon developers who choose to stick with linear, area restricted gameplay must be scratching their heads to keep their games as epic and large as their open world counterparts.

I for one don't like open world games: I enjoy linear, plot oriented, tight experiences with a controled level of freedom, but that's not where the heart of most gamers nowdays seems to be, judging by all the excitement towards open world games and bad reception for games such as The Order 1886.

And yes, please, no more Kratos — judging from Ascension the character has run its course, by far.

6
JesWood13
Wed 29th Jul 2015

They just REALLY need to shake up God of War's gameplay formula... I personally don't care for it. Also, I'd like for this studio to make something besides God of War.

7
banacheck
Wed 29th Jul 2015

No more Kratos a game with a 5 year cycle, we want annual release more AC & COD, sigh... Sad but highly true...

8
MinerWilly
Wed 29th Jul 2015

@LieutenantFatman there aren't too many of us Lieutenant but I also don't enjoy the GoW series and wish they'd pull plug and do something more interesting but certainly enough people love it to justify them making it sadly.