Job listing says Sony Santa Monica working on “God Of War”

Who’d a thunk it?

This is, indeed, a shocker.

I think God of War III pretty much nailed everything it tried to do. I don’t think there could be much dispute that it is the best God of War game in terms of controls, graphics, and spectacle. But at the same time, all its improvements past the first game’s formula, visuals aside, have been incremental.

Unfortunately for Jaffe and his team, the formula is aging. While the first game’s QTEs allowed devs to easily put players in wild, cinematic action, the same approach seems like a cop-out today. Likewise, the general approach to combat has not really evolved during the course of the series–in each of the console and PSP games, the key is really to use as many light attacks as possible before unleashing a heavy attack, except when fighting a few unique enemies.

Even still, the games’ instinctive, simple controls have made the games very approachable, the rough-and-tough Kratos’ animations and attacks retain their powerful and satisfying impact, and the third game remains a master class on how to script fixed camera movements. The question remains for God of War, as it does for other popular games such as Call of Duty and even Rock Band: when and where should a developer deviate from an established formula, if ever?

The answer, I think, lay in the competition. While there really aren’t many games that compete directly with God of War, alternatives like Dante’s Inferno, Ninja Gaiden, Enslaved, and Bayonetta do provide some foils to its simplicity. Branching upgrade paths, combos that deviate from the established pattern of always ending in one heavy attack, higher stakes for the classic risk and reward scheme, and even co-op have all seen the light of day in these other games, albeit to varying degrees of success.

While God of War III’s tight controls and staggering polish and presentation have prevented any of these other games from trumping GoW in the way that Dead Space pulled the rug out from underneath RE5, there is no way another God of War can really continue on without taking into account some of these other games’ alternative approaches. While I honestly think I will enjoy a God of War IV in whatever form it might take, the ball is in Santa Monica Studio’s court to bring together other games’ addition to its formula and build upon them to make its next game something as fresh and interesting as the first God of War was when it released.

@4

well said, GOW3 is just amazing man!
I’m deeply hoping for GOW4 to be co-op and this is inevitable!

Maybe this time they’ll actually evolve the gameplay mechanics for the first time in seven years.

More epicness, great music, awesome landscapes, power, sex and hot greek girls? I’m in dammit.

In my opinion thats just a “MILK MILK MILK” material. God Of War 1-2-3 were incredible games, but third one was the best and it’s basically closed the story and everything about it.

I’m not sure that you can evolve the gameplay further, but just co-op or multiplayer won’t do a trick.

Cygnar basically said everything what is in my mind about that right now. I think Santa Monica need to move on, even David Jaffe is not making GoW games anymore. He moved on to his next big thing aka “Twisted Metal 2011″

There are quite a few gods of war to choose from. From a business perspective it would make a lot of sense to simply jump mythology and keep it going, rather than flogging a dead horse.

From a business perspective oh yeah.

GoW III surpassed it’s predecessors in sales and sold 4+ million units.

But in my opinion, you can jump from one mythology to another one, nothing will change. GoW 1-3 are great games, but i think it’s enough. these types of games are good for 3 parts. (not to mention that GoW had 2 spin offs)

No Shit!

I love Kratos, but a new protagonist and mythology could be fun. How many Minotaur can you really kill in the face and still get a kick out of it.

To be honest, not too suprised. Because hasn’t this been rumored for awhile now? I mean, if anyone were to watch the God of War Game Directors interview that came out last year (up on PSN store right now, btw) you’d see Stig Asmussen (creative director at Sony Santa Monica, Game Director for God of War III) basically dodging questions from the interviewer (Alison Haislip) about any possibility of God of War IV. Plus, all the God of War games have sold rather well for Sony, and the franchise itself has a real solid fanbase, so you’d have to think they’re thinking “what can we do next for this series?”.
Also, @Ireland Michael, I agree with you on the combat. Though I’ve liked it, I also feel it needs growth.

Sadly you all are mistaking, the GOW team are working on a new Sony IP not working on a new GOW. GOW has ended not unless they want to create a variant for PS Vita or PS4.