Beyond Kratos: Inside Sony Santa Monica's Plans for a New God of War Universe Franchise

Credible leaks suggest Sony Santa Monica Studio is planning more than a sequel—it's actively building an entirely new franchise within the God of War universe. This move signals a strategic shift from Kratos's linear saga to a potential "God of War Cinematic Universe." The saga of the Ghost of Sparta, from Greece to the Norse realms, has defined a generation of PlayStation storytelling. But recent evidence indicates his story may have been just the prologue to a far grander mythological epic.

The Leak and Its Credibility

The rumor mill in gaming often runs on whispers, but this particular report carries significant weight. The information originates from a now-deleted LinkedIn profile of a former Senior Writer at Sony Santa Monica Studio, whose tenure spanned from August 2020 to September 2025. The profile was explicit: the writer stated they helped "shape the narrative vision, creative direction, characters, storylines, and original lore for a new franchise" within the God of War universe.

This isn't an isolated claim. It dovetails perfectly with prior, high-profile reporting from Bloomberg’s renowned journalist Jason Schreier. In 2022, Schreier revealed that PlayStation’s strategy for its blockbuster IP was to greenlight multiple sequels and spinoffs, aiming to build a cohesive narrative universe. The alignment between an insider’s professional resume and established journalistic reporting elevates this leak from mere speculation to a highly credible indicator of Sony Santa Monica’s future. The writer’s specific mention of contributing to "long-term narrative and franchise strategy" underscores that this is a foundational project, not a fleeting experiment.

Building a "God of War Cinematic Universe"

Jason Schreier’s analogy was precise: PlayStation is looking to create a smaller-scale "Marvel Cinematic Universe" for God of War. The business logic is sound. With the 2018 reboot and its 2022 sequel Ragnarok, the studio has a critically adored, commercially dominant IP with a rich, adaptable world. Leveraging that foundation to build interconnected stories across different genres and studios is a natural evolution for a first-party publisher seeking to maximize its flagship franchises.

Evidence of this multi-pronged approach has already surfaced. Last week, reports confirmed the closure of a live-service God of War spinoff project (a type of game designed for ongoing play with frequent updates), reportedly in development at Bluepoint Games. While this specific project is canceled, its very existence validates the broader strategy. A "new franchise," as indicated by the LinkedIn leak, is the next logical step beyond one-off sequels or spinoffs. It implies a dedicated, sustained effort to build a second pillar of storytelling that can exist alongside—and potentially intersect with—the legacy of Kratos, offering a more sustainable and expansive model for the universe’s growth.

The Creative Forces and Timeline

The question of who is steering this ambitious endeavor leads to one of the most respected names in the industry: Cory Barlog. The creative director who masterminded the series’ acclaimed 2018 soft reboot has been confirmed to be working on an unannounced project for some time. The new leak strongly suggests this project is the nascent God of War universe franchise, rather than a wholly new IP. Barlog’s proven ability to reinvent mythology and character makes him the ideal architect for such an expansion.

Furthermore, a tentative timeline is beginning to emerge. Christopher Judge, the iconic voice of Kratos, recently teased that fans would learn about Sony Santa Monica’s next game "around late Summer 2026." While this could theoretically be a smaller announcement, it aligns with a potential reveal window for a major new franchise entering production. The involvement of a senior writer tasked specifically with establishing "original lore" points to a project that has been in the narrative incubation phase for years, likely positioning it for a formal announcement in the foreseeable future.

Speculation on Setting, Characters, and Future

With the "what" and "who" coming into focus, the most exciting fan speculation revolves around the "where" and "who else." For years, the most persistent rumor for the next God of War setting has been Ancient Egypt. This has been fueled by datamined hints (clues discovered by players within the game's code) in God of War Ragnarok—including a cryptic shield inscription referencing Egyptian gods—and corroborated by various industry insiders. The rich pantheon and distinct mythology of Egypt would provide a fresh, visually stunning backdrop for a new saga.

Perhaps the most significant implication of the "new franchise" leak is the potential for brand new main characters. The writer’s profile emphasizes work on "characters" and "original lore," which strongly suggests this project may move beyond Kratos and Atreus as the central protagonists. This opens a universe of possibilities: a parallel story following a new hero or pantheon, a prequel exploring the original wars between the Greek Titans and Gods, or a story set in another mythology entirely that eventually converges with the known timeline.

This new franchise framework allows Sony Santa Monica to have its cake and eat it too. It can continue the story of Atreus (or a future, older Kratos) in direct sequels while simultaneously building a new legend elsewhere. The long-term potential for these narratives to intersect—much like different threads in a cinematic universe—creates a compelling future for the IP, ensuring its relevance and capacity for surprise for years to come.

The evidence paints a picture of a studio and a publisher at a pivotal moment. Sony Santa Monica is not merely continuing a story; it is architecting a legacy. The commitment to building a new franchise from the ground up, with original lore and potentially new heroes, signals a confident, ambitious vision for one of gaming’s most iconic worlds. While the sands of Egypt or the halls of another pantheon have yet to be officially revealed, the path ahead is one of expansion, not just continuation. The question is no longer if the universe will grow, but who will step into the spotlight next—and which mythology will provide their stage.

Tags: God of War, Sony Santa Monica Studio, PlayStation, Video Game News, Gaming Rumors