Summary
- Santa Monica Studio’s new project, led by Cory Barlog, is reportedly progressing well as of mid-2025.
- The studio is actively hiring for the unannounced project, hinting at a major upcoming release.
- Despite rumours, Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier suggests it might not be a new IP, sparking speculation.
- Other reports mention a delayed Metroidvania-style God of War game, adding to the mystery.
Santa Monica Studio’s Next Game Progressing Well
Cory Barlog, the acclaimed director of God of War titles, is working on Santa Monica Studio’s next major game.
According to Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier’s recent update on ResetEra, development is going well. This project has been the studio’s focus since Barlog stepped down from directing God of War Ragnarok in 2022.
He said, “Cory Barlog’s game is Sony Santa Monica’s next big thing. Last time I spoke to anyone about it (a month or two ago) it was going well.”
Santa Monica Studio is hiring extensively for this unannounced IP, seeking artists, animators, and QA staff. The studio’s recruitment efforts point to a significant new release in the near future for PlayStation players.
Is It Really a New IP?
After the rumours spread, Jason Schreier dropped another bomb, questioning why everybody is assuming that Barlog’s new project is a brand-new IP. He said, “Why does everybody think [Cory] Barlog’s game is a new IP?”
While some Santa Monica employees list “new IP” on their resumes, and Barlog has hinted at sci-fi ambitions, the possibility remains that the game could be part of an existing franchise or a revisitation of a PlayStation classic.
Additionally, reports about a Metroidvania-style God of War game set in Greece, focusing on Kratos’ brother, have surfaced, but that project is delayed until 2026. This adds more layers to the speculation about Santa Monica’s upcoming plans.
