It’s been almost three years since God of War Ragnarök wrapped up Kratos’ Norse saga, and fans have been waiting for any hint of what comes next from Sony Santa Monica. While the studio has remained tight-lipped publicly, one name continues to spark speculation: Cory Barlog.
Barlog, the creative lead behind 2018’s God of War reboot, has been noticeably absent from the spotlight during Ragnarök’s press cycle. Now, thanks to a handful of credible insider reports and some careful decoding of industry chatter, we’re finally getting a clearer picture of what he’s been up to and it’s sounding like a major departure from expectations.
A New Game, But Not a New IP?
According to veteran journalist Jason Schreier, who posted on ResetEra earlier this month, Cory Barlog is currently leading development on Sony Santa Monica’s “next big thing.” But don’t expect a clean break from the past.
Schreier claims the upcoming title is not a new IP, despite what many fans assumed after Barlog hinted years ago that he wanted to branch out creatively. Interestingly, he also notes that while the game technically builds on something existing, it will “feel like a new IP” to players. That detail alone has sent the rumor mill into overdrive.
Sci-fi? Nope.
One of the longest-running theories among fans was that Barlog’s new game would take place in a sci-fi universe something totally different from the mythological bloodbaths he’s known for. But Schreier was quick to shut that down too, calling the sci-fi rumours “nonsense.”
If it’s not a galaxy-spanning epic, then what is it? That’s the big question and Sony isn’t saying. But some speculative threads suggest we might be looking at a reimagining of a dormant franchise. Others believe Barlog could be crafting something more grounded and intimate, possibly still rooted in mythology, just not the Norse or Greek kind.
What’s the Studio Up To?
Sony Santa Monica is in an interesting position right now. After the success of Ragnarök, expectations are sky-high. Internally, the studio is believed to be split into multiple teams, with one group supporting ongoing updates for Ragnarök (or possibly a spinoff) while Barlog helms his mysterious project.
We’ve seen scattered LinkedIn updates from current and former employees referencing unannounced projects and “narrative-led AAA games,” but those could describe almost anything. The only thing that seems certain is this: Barlog is deep into development, and whatever he’s building, it’s ambitious.
A Familiar Feeling
There’s something poetic about the idea of returning to an old world but showing it in a new light. After all, that’s what made God of War (2018) so impactful it took something familiar and reshaped it into something deeper and more mature. The same could be true of this new project. It may not technically be a new IP, but it could represent a clean emotional and mechanical break from the past.
And honestly, that might be exactly what Sony Santa Monica needs right now. A chance to surprise people again. A chance to make us care about a world we thought we knew.
When Will We See It?
Don’t hold your breath for a reveal anytime soon. All signs point to the game still being in full production, with little chance of a trailer in 2025. That said, Sony is known to tease major projects two or even three years ahead of release, especially for first-party titles.
If Barlog’s project is indeed the next tentpole game from the studio, it’s likely to be revealed in a State of Play or PlayStation Showcase sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. Until then, fans will just have to keep speculating and dreaming. For more on and all things Gaming be sure to stay locked to 1-Up Games.
1-Up Games 