A Senior Writer at Sony Interactive Entertainment recently scrubbed their LinkedIn profile after screenshots surfaced showing they'd worked on "narrative vision and creative direction for a new franchise within the God of War universe" at Sony Santa Monica Studio. The profile listed their departure date as September 2025. Sony hasn't said anything officially, but the phrasing has fans wondering if a Kratos-less spin-off is coming.
Industry reporter Jason Schreier stirred things up further by referencing an earlier comment where he called a mystery project "not a new IP but it might feel like one." That description lines up neatly with what the LinkedIn listing suggested: something that expands God of War without being a straightforward sequel.
What Sony's been doing with the franchise
God of War Ragnarök wrapped up the Norse arc in 2022, but Sony hasn't let the series sit idle. A remake collection covering the Greek trilogy got announced at a recent State of Play, and God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D prequel, already launched. These releases keep the brand active while the next major entry is presumably in the works.
Not every experiment has survived. Bluepoint Games was reportedly building a live-service God of War game before it got axed. Sony's clearly trying different things with the IP, including a TV adaptation in development, but not all of them make it to release.
Could this be a game without Kratos?
Kratos has been the face of the series since 2005. His transformation from Greek rage monster to Norse dad defined the franchise's identity. But calling something a "new franchise within the God of War universe" suggests a project that doesn't revolve around him. Different protagonist, different mythology, maybe even a different genre.
Schreier previously hinted that Cory Barlog was working on a sci-fi project, then clarified it wasn't a new IP. Some fans think Barlog's mystery game and this rumored spin-off are the same thing. If that's true, we might be looking at something that feels wildly different from the main series while still technically living in the same universe.
The 2018 God of War already proved the series can reinvent itself. Switching from fixed cameras and combo chains to over-the-shoulder combat and Norse mythology worked. A spin-off that ditches Kratos entirely would be a bigger risk, but it's not like Sony hasn't taken those before.
Sony's playbook for big franchises
Sony's been leaning hard on its established IPs lately. Remakes, spin-offs, TV shows, you name it. Building out the God of War universe with side stories or alternate leads fits that strategy better than gambling on something completely new. Why start from scratch when you can slap a recognizable name on it?
Nothing's confirmed yet. The LinkedIn profile is gone, and Sony hasn't commented. Early rumors tied to job listings change all the time, so this could be nothing, or it could be years away from announcement.
Still, the idea of a God of War game without Kratos has people talking. Whether it's a new hero, a genre shift, or just a deeper dive into the mythology, it sounds like Sony's planning the next evolution of one of its biggest franchises.
Make sure to check out our articles on gaming gadgets:
Best Apple Products for Gaming
Best Nintendo Switch Accessories
Best Gaming Androids (phones)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a new God of War game in development?
Sony hasn't confirmed anything. A deleted LinkedIn profile mentioned a "new franchise within the God of War universe," which has people speculating, but there's no official word yet.
Will the rumored God of War spin-off include Kratos?
The "new franchise" description suggests it might not center on Kratos. That could mean different characters, a different setting, or a different style of game entirely.
What did Jason Schreier say about the project?
Schreier said a project he'd heard about was "not a new IP but it might feel like one." Fans think that lines up with the rumored God of War spin-off.
How does this relate to Cory Barlog's reported sci-fi game?
Barlog was rumored to be working on a sci-fi project. Schreier later said it wasn't a new IP, so some people think it could be tied to the God of War universe in a way that feels completely different from the main series.
What is the latest official God of War release?
God of War Ragnarök came out in 2022. Since then, Sony's released remasters and a 2D prequel called God of War: Sons of Sparta.
