God of War 6 and the Spin-Off: There Are Way Too Many Rumors

The God of War series has never been one to sit still. Even though Ragnarök came out in 2022, people are still talking about what will happen next in Kratos's growing mythological universe. Recent leaks and reports from people who work for the company say that not only is God of War 6 being made, but there might also be a smaller, experimental game coming out.

This could give fans both a continuation of the story and a look back at Kratos's beginnings. For long-time fans of the series, the question is no longer if there will be a sequel, but when and where Kratos's next brutal adventure will take place.

People say that Egyptian mythology is the main setting, but some people who work on the game say that there is also a side project based on Kratos's past. If this is true, it means that Santa Monica Studio may be getting ready to grow the franchise in more ways than ever before.

As is often the case, Atreus starts the conversation. After Ragnarök, Loki, the son of Kratos, split the community. Some fans were excited about the idea of a separate game that would follow Atreus as he searched for the missing giants, with magic, archery, and shapeshifting being essential parts of the story. 

Others were just as passionate in saying that the series should stay focused on Kratos, saying that Atreus is better as a supporting character than as the main character. Sources indicate that there is currently no official Atreus spin-off, leaving the debate open and speculation growing.

At the same time, there are stronger rumors about another spin-off project that is currently in the works. People in the industry, like Tom Henderson and Jeff Grubb, have said that a smaller God of War game is being made along with the main sequel.

This project is said to be taking a 2.5D, Metroidvania-style approach, which is different from the series' well-known high-budget, cinematic games. The game would be very different from the big epics fans are used to. It would take place in Greece and be about a young Kratos and his brother. It would be shorter, more experimental, and meant to fill the time between Ragnarök and the release of God of War 6.

It's easy to see why this project is appealing. Side-scrolling combat could give the series a new twist, and revisiting Kratos's early days would likely delight fans of the Greek saga. Reports indicate that this project was initially scheduled for 2024, but it has been postponed to 2026. That delay fits with Santa Monica's reputation for taking its time to make sure things are done right, but it also means that fans may have to wait longer for answers.

The mainline sequel to God of War 6 is still a mystery. The most likely rumor is that the game will take place in ancient Egypt, where Kratos might fight Nile gods. Daniel "RPK" Richtman, an insider, said that casting calls for Middle Eastern actors were related to an unannounced AAA project that many people think is the next God of War.

Earlier comments from developers add weight to the theory. For example, Cory Barlog himself said that Egypt was considered as a setting before Norse mythology was chosen for the 2018 reboot. Fans could only guess what path Kratos might take next because the game had hidden references to Egyptian, Japanese, and Celtic myths.

A lot of people are excited about the idea of Kratos fighting gods like Ra, Anubis, and Osiris. The Ghost of Sparta's endless battles could take place in ancient pyramids, vast deserts, and giant statues. Some people think that God of War 6 could be a prequel that tells the story of Kratos's travels in Egypt, which are not featured in the games, between God of War II and the 2018 reboot.

Some people say that the story will go on after Ragnarök, with an older, wiser Kratos going to new places again. But there is still room for debate because of conflicting leaks. Tom Henderson says that one project in the works might not even take place in Egypt; it may instead be relocated to Greece.

Fans were confused by this, but a lot of them think Henderson was talking about the rumored smaller spin-off instead of the next main game. If this is true, Santa Monica could be working on two very different games: one set in Greece that is a nostalgic side-scroller and another in Egypt that is a huge AAA sequel.

There are also rumors of even more mythological possibilities that add to the mystery. Celtic mythology, which was already hinted at in Ragnarök, is still a possibility. Some people have also said that Japanese mythology, with its Shinto gods, could be a brave new path to take.

Some people discuss Mesoamerican pantheons, such as those of the Aztecs or Mayans, because they are well-suited for stories and shows. Fans still like the Egyptian pantheon the best, and it often comes up in talks about where the series is going next. 

With all the talk, it looks like Sony wants to take advantage of nostalgia as well. Henderson says he has heard rumors that the original Greek-era God of War games will be remastered or put together for the PlayStation 5.

If this is true, it would not only honor the franchise's history but it would also keep fans interested while they wait for the next big release. Remasters and collections are now common strategies in the industry. For example, updated versions of Resident Evil and Gears of War classics have given these franchises new life.

Timing is, of course, the big question for fans. Some people in the industry believe that God of War 6 might not be released until 2027 or 2028, given that Ragnarök was released in 2022 and Santa Monica is reportedly working on multiple projects simultaneously.

It could be a launch title for the next PlayStation console, a scenario that has occurred with big franchises in the past. In the meantime, the smaller-scale spin-off may come out first, giving fans a taste of the action and filling the time until the next main epic comes out.

A mix of rumors, leaks, and reports from people who work at the studio shows that they are hard at work expanding the God of War universe in new ways. Santa Monica Studio appears determined to keep the franchise fresh while also paying tribute to its rich history. They could do this by putting the game in Egypt, making it a side-scroller with a young Kratos, or remastering the Greek trilogy. 

People are still talking about God of War, even though they are still waiting for news about Atreus's role, Kratos's next pantheon, and other things that never seem to happen. When everything is said and done, will Kratos be carving his way through the sands of Egypt, or will he surprise everyone by going back to Olympus?