God of War, a cornerstone of PlayStation’s identity since the PS2 era, is renowned for its brutal combat, compelling narrative, and iconic protagonist, Kratos. From his vengeful quest against the Greek pantheon to his journey through Norse mythology in the award-winning reboot, the franchise’s popularity continues to soar, with even a TV series in development at Amazon. A new God of War game in the coming years seems inevitable, but a recently cancelled project offers a surprising twist.
While fans anticipate the next chapter in Kratos’ saga, a live service God of War game, developed by Bluepoint Games, has been scrapped, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier. Bluepoint, known for their masterful remasters and the acclaimed Demon’s Souls remake for PS5, reportedly began work on this unannounced title around 2022/2023. This cancellation follows another axed live service project from Bend Studio, the developers behind Days Gone.
altKratos battles Thor in God of War: Ragnarok. The image depicts the intensity of combat characteristic of the God of War series.
Bluepoint’s involvement with the God of War franchise deepened following their assistance on God of War Ragnarok and their acquisition by PlayStation in the early 2020s. Speculation surrounding their next project ran rampant, with some even suggesting a Metal Gear Solid remake. The reality, a live service God of War title, was a development few predicted. Details about the cancelled game are scarce, but the very concept presents a curious departure for the narrative-driven series. How a live service model would incorporate Kratos’ personal journey and the franchise’s signature storytelling remains a mystery.
It’s unknown whether players would have controlled their own custom god, continued Atreus’ story from Ragnarok, or engaged in co-op with other characters. The future of the rebooted God of War series also remains unclear, with no official announcements regarding a third installment. While another entry seems highly probable, confirmation from Sony Santa Monica is still pending. PlayStation affirmed their respect for both Bend and Bluepoint, emphasizing their ongoing collaboration to determine the studios’ next endeavors. Importantly, neither studio will be closed.
This cancellation adds God of War to the list of abandoned live service projects, joining The Last of Us Online, a multiplayer title initially planned by Naughty Dog following The Last of Us 2. Despite years of anticipation, the project was ultimately shelved to allow Naughty Dog to concentrate on single-player experiences.