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Highlights
- Atreus may take the spotlight in a rumored half-sequel similar to Spider-Man’s Miles Morales spin-off game, but no official confirmation yet.
- Sony has confirmed no major first-party releases in 2024, casting doubt on rumors of a God of War half-sequel or new installment.
- Rumors abound about God of War projects, including potential remakes, remasters, and half-sequels, but fans must wait for official announcements after the recent report regarding no major first-party games coming this fiscal year.
The God of War games are no longer just the story of Kratos. They also follow his son, Atreus, as he grows into his own power and learns about the bloody past of his monosyllable-speaking father. Following the success of God of War Ragnarok and the Valhalla DLC, fans have been speculating over a rumored half-sequel that could give Atreus the lion’s share of the spotlight. Atreus could be to Kratos as Miles Morales is to Spider-Man in the Insomniac Games: a worthy successor to the franchise and a fresh character through which players could explore the world.
But reports about a secret half-sequel have to be taken with a grain of salt, of course, because there has not been any official word about it from Sony or Sony Santa Monica, the studio behind the games. After the release of the Valhalla DLC, the studio appears to be working on an untitled, third-person action game. This could very well be that as-yet announced half-sequel, but given recent reports from Sony president, COO, and CFO Hiroki Totoki, no new major IP will be released on PS5 this fiscal year, and PlayStation in general.
What God of War Ragnarok’s Half-Sequel Could Learn From Marvel’s Miles Morales
God of War Ragnarok may be getting a “half-sequel” like 2020’s Miles Morales spin-off, and there are lessons the latter can teach the former.
Sony Confirms No Major First-Party Releases In 2024
No one has announced what the next big thing from Sony Santa Monica is, and even if it was the Atreus-led half-sequel or a new installment in the God of War series, it still has a long way to go before release. Sony president Hiroki Totoki has thoroughly quashed any confirmation of big-name games releasing this year. Sony’s latest financial report hasn’t totally denied the idea of a half-sequel, but it does state that there will be no major releases from existing franchises in 2024. Specifically, Totoki said, “…we do not plan to release any new major existing franchise titles next fiscal year like God of War Ragnarok and Marvelʼs Spider-Man.”
God of War Half-Sequel Rumors
While there is no official definition separating “half-sequel” from “DLC,” half-sequels are typically defined as standalone expansions that can be considered games distinct from, but connected to, the previous title in the series.
Rumors about what’s next for the God of War franchise kicked off with a tweet from a leaker called ViewerAnon on Twitter, who alleged that Sony Santa Monica is working on “God of War stuff,” whether that be more God of War Ragnarok DLC or a half-sequel. They wrote that half-sequels are a good approach to filling the gap between AAA title releases and that these smaller-scale games could be good opportunities for newer, greener developers to work on big franchise titles like God of War. This speculation about Sony Santa Monica working on a God of War title seemed to be supported by a job posting asking for combat designers with God of War gameplay experience.
There have also been rumors, from The Xbox Era Podcast, about a possible remake or remaster of the original God of War trilogy. It is entirely possible that the project is in development, but being kept carefully under wraps. The same goes for the hypothetical half-sequel. Perhaps instead of any actual releases, Sony will make some exciting announcements about future projects later this year. PlayStation’s 2024 State of Play in January focused on new games like Rise of the Ronin and sequels like Death Stranding 2. There are other events, like June’s Summer Games Fest and The Game Awards in December, that would be worthy platforms for big God of War announcements.
2024 will be devoid of any major first-party releases from Sony, but that doesn’t mean the company won’t share news of remasters, remakes, sequels, or half-sequels when the time is right. Hopefully, fans will have some more information about what’s next for God of War later this year, but until Sony gives official word, fans will have to take any rumors about upcoming God of War releases with a grain of salt.
