Sony Santa Monica's New Sci-Fi Game isn't What You Think it is

After the emotional high point of God of War: Ragnarök, there is a lot of talk about where the series is going next. Many people were looking forward to Kratos's rumored return to his Greek roots or even a whole new mythology. However, a surprising trend has emerged among fans: an increasing number of people want an Atreus-focused spin-off. It turns out Sony Santa Monica's next major project isn't quite what fans expected. 

We now have a clearer, yet still somewhat vague, idea of what the studio is working on, following years of speculation and rumors. It's not a sci-fi epic or a whole new universe. And reportedly, Corey Barlog's game is Santa Monica's next big thing, and the project was going well. Interestingly, it's not a new IP. Years of assumptions and online theories were instantly busted, especially those that said Barlog was working on a brand-new sci-fi game.

So, what does that really mean? While we don't have any clear picture yet, the game is not a licensed title, and anyone still thinking it's some kind of sci-fi project is wrong. And that the rumor about a sci-fi title is all speculation.

What is Sony Santa Monica working on if it's not a licensed IP, sci-fi, or a new idea? The most likely answer is a new take on an old PlayStation series—something from Sony's back catalog that has been redesigned and updated to look and feel fresh and new. Even though we don't know what the game is about, it feels like a remake of an old game. 

Naturally, this has led fans to speculate. Fans are discussing The Order: 1886 and Starhawk as potential names for the game. Neither of these IPs is used much and could be perfect for a new take on them. Some people think it might even be a game that only die-hard fans remember, something more obscure or cult-classic.

Fans had every reason to expect another God of War game after the success of Ragnarök, but that excitement for a new God of War game might be shut down as there was no response from the studio. What led everyone to believe this was a new IP in the first place? This all points to the LinkedIn profile of a developer who claimed to be working on a new IP at Sony Santa Monica. 

A few rumors and assumptions on top of that, and the phrase "new IP confirmed" has been going around Reddit and Twitter for years. But the truth is that no one has ever definitively stated that it was a new IP. We've mostly had second-hand information up until now. 

There were rumors about a new God of War game, which led people to believe that Sony Santa Monica may be working on two separate projects simultaneously. The second is said to be a 2.5D Metroidvania-style God of War game, which differs significantly from the series' usual third-person action games.

If this is true, it would be an interesting turn for the series. Fans might get a side story or spin-off with a very different way to play. It could be a smaller project that lets the studio try out new game mechanics while the main team works on Barlog's mysterious new game.

We now have a picture of a studio with two very different projects going on at the same time. Each of them could surprise us differently. We still don't know that much. There were numerous rumors about a new God of War game, but Santa Monica Studios didn't issue any official statement, so we don't know for sure if we're getting a new game. 

Sony hasn't showcased any major first-party PlayStation 5 games beyond those already announced. The next PlayStation Showcase could be the big reveal for Barlog's game. There will be a lot of talk until then, especially since we now know the game isn't new, isn't sci-fi, and might still feel like a new world.