Sony packed its February 12 State of Play with big announcements, but two reveals stood out most for God of War fans. Santa Monica Studio teamed up with Mega Cat Studios to unveil God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D platformer that had been circulating in leaks and rumors for months. Sony also confirmed a remake of the original God of War trilogy, giving longtime players another reason to revisit the series’ roots.
But if you’re waiting for the next true mainline chapter, the bigger story may still be ahead.
A well-known gaming insider, shinobi602, says neither the trilogy remake nor the newly revealed platformer is the project being led by Cory Barlog. Barlog, the creative director at Santa Monica Studio and a key figure behind multiple entries in the franchise—including the acclaimed 2018 reboot and the 2022 follow-up—is reportedly heading a different God of War game that continues the mainline storyline established in 2018.
According to the insider, this next major God of War title has been in development for quite some time and has remained tightly under wraps. While nothing is confirmed, rumors have long suggested the series could shift settings to Egyptian mythology. How that direction would connect to the Norse era introduced in 2018 is still unclear, but the idea continues to fuel speculation about where Kratos’ saga could go next.
The same insider claims the game isn’t far from being shown, assuming development stays on track. A reveal is expected sometime this year, with possibilities including a future State of Play—potentially as early as May—or a major summer showcase like Summer Game Fest. While the exact timing remains uncertain, the belief is that the studio may be aiming for a second-quarter reveal window.
There’s also talk that Santa Monica Studio could be planning a shorter gap between announcement and release than usual. That strategy would make sense in a crowded release calendar, especially with major industry launches expected late in the year. If the insider’s read is accurate, the game’s launch could arrive sooner rather than later.
If that happens, 2026 could turn into a huge year for God of War fans: a newly announced 2D side project, a high-profile trilogy remake, and the potential reveal of the next mainline entry led by Cory Barlog—all building momentum for the franchise’s next era.
