Next Game from Santa Monica Studio is Not a New IP, But "It Will Seem"

Santa Monica Studio, the acclaimed studio behind the God of War series, is developing a new game that, according to rumors, will not be a new IP, but will have a sense of novelty. Information from Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier reignites speculation about director Cory Barlog's project, known for his work on the reboot of God of War from 2018. This approach suggests that the studio may be planning a reinvention of an existing franchise, which could be good news for fans, offering something familiar but at the same time surprising.

The next game from Santa Monica Studio promises to be an innovative experience within a known IP, fueling curiosity about Cory Barlog's project.

Speculation about what Santa Monica Studio is developing is intense, especially around Cory Barlog's project. He, who directed the acclaimed God of War from 2018, served as a producer on its sequel, God of War Ragnarök, released in November 2022. The uncertainty about his next directing role and the type of game he would be creating has intrigued the community.

Jason Schreier, in a post on ResetEra, referred to Barlog's game as "the next big thing from Sony Santa Monica" and stated that the development "was going well" a few months ago. In response to persistent rumors, Schreier categorically denied that it would be a new science fiction IP.

"I'll put it this way: it's not a new IP, but it might feel like one. Maybe that's why people are confused. Please don't ask me any more questions about this — if I end up reporting more information at some point in the future, it will be in an article, not in a forum. And that the science fiction material (which people apparently have believed in for years?) is nonsense," stated Schreier.

Rumors in August 2024 indicated that Santa Monica Studio was developing its first new IP in over 20 years, which now appears to be inaccurate. The ambiguity in Schreier's statement – "it's not a new IP, but it might feel like one" – suggests that the game could be a radical reimagining of an existing Sony franchise, which could be, for example, something related to God of War, but with a very different direction or gameplay style than fans would expect.

Santa Monica Studio is one of the pillars of PlayStation Studios, known for delivering high-quality games that are crucial to the lineup of exclusives for the PlayStation 5. The success of God of War Ragnarök and the recently released and acclaimed Astro Bot for the PS5, which received new levels and free Special Bots, demonstrate the strength of Sony's internal studios in offering high-level single-player experiences.

With Sony facing challenges in its live service gaming strategy, as evidenced by the cancellation of multiple projects and studio closures, the development of heavyweight single-player titles like Cory Barlog's project becomes even more vital. Betting on an existing IP, but with a fresh twist, may be a way to mitigate risks while still offering a fresh experience for players, balancing brand recognition with innovation.