New comments from an insider hint that Sony Santa Monica’s next big game from Cory Barlog isn’t sci-fi, and might not be a brand-new IP after all.
For a long time now, fans have been convinced that Sony Santa Monica, the studio behind God of War, was cooking up something wildly different for its next big project. Plenty of rumors pointed to a brand-new IP, maybe even a full-on sci-fi. On top of that, there’s been constant chatter that another God of War game is already in development.
But now, we might have a bit more clarity about what’s going on with the studio’s other major project, the one being led by God of War (2018) director Cory Barlog. And according to trusted industry journalist Jason Schreier, it might not be what everyone expected.
New Details on Sony Santa Monica’s Next Big Game
The new info comes straight from a ResetEra thread, where Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, known for accurate behind-the-scenes reporting on the games industry, decided to chime in. He made it clear that Cory Barlog’s project is still very much the studio’s “next big thing,” and that development is “going well” as of a month or two ago, when he last checked in with sources.
But what really caught attention was Schreier pushing back on the assumptions fans have had for years. In one reply, he said: “Why does everybody think Barlog’s game is a new IP?”
Schreier’s comments suggest that while Cory Barlog’s next game isn’t a brand-new franchise, it might still offer something fresh enough that people assume it is. This could mean a major shift in gameplay, setting, or storytelling approach.
He also addressed the long-running rumor that the project was sci-fi and made it clear that the rumor has no basis. He followed that up with this clarification:
“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. The sci-fi stuff (that people have apparently believed for years now?) is nonsense.”
He also confirmed that a ResetEra user named Ashhong has legit info. That same user added this interesting tidbit: “AFAIK the game is squarely a PS5 generation game. Could it have a PS6 version after release? Probably.”
So, from what we can piece together, this is a PS5-generation game that’s likely not a God of War sequel, but still connected to something familiar from Sony Santa Monica’s history. That said, if the game feels like something new, there could still be a major shift in tone, gameplay style, or setting that separates it from God of War.
Of course, it’s always smart to take these kinds of early breadcrumbs with a grain of salt. Until Sony officially announces something, nothing is confirmed.
Outside of God of War, Sony Santa Monica has a long history in PlayStation development, including work on titles like Kinetica, Downhill Domination, and even assisting on games like Journey. But in recent years, the studio has become almost entirely associated with Kratos and the Norse saga.
So, what do you think Cory Barlog is cooking up? Is it another God of War story told from a different angle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
