The future of the God of War franchise remains firmly anchored to its iconic protagonist, even as Santa Monica Studio expands its narrative horizon. Following the recent reveal of God of War Laufey, a new chapter centered on the character of Faye, developers have moved to reassure fans that Kratos—the series’ long-standing face—is not being sidelined. In a discussion featured on the official PlayStation YouTube channel, Santa Monica Studio’s head of creative, Cory Barlog, confirmed that while the team is eager to explore new perspectives, Kratos remains central to the studio’s long-term vision.
The announcement of God of War Laufey, which provided a first look during the June 2026 PlayStation State of Play showcase, has sparked significant conversation among the community. While some players have lauded the visual fidelity and combat mechanics showcased in the 20-minute reveal, others have expressed concern regarding the shift in focus away from Kratos. Addressing these reactions, Barlog emphasized that the new title is an expansion of the series’ “larger tapestry” rather than a departure from its roots.
A Continued Commitment to Kratos
The sentiment that Kratos will continue to lead future titles was echoed by the team behind the upcoming project. Ariel Lawrence, director of God of War Laufey, underscored the necessity of the character’s presence, noting that the studio “can’t not tell stories about the big guy.” This sentiment was further solidified by a public statement from the official Santa Monica Studio X account, which directly addressed fan concerns by stating, “Kratos is the God of War – we have many more stories to tell with him.”
For players curious about how the new game fits into the established timeline, the trailer shown at the State of Play offered a glimpse of a familiar moment: Kratos and Atreus burning Faye’s body, a scene originally depicted in the 2018 God of War. The footage also showed a brief interaction where Kratos aids Faye during her imprisonment. However, the studio has yet to clarify the extent of his role in the narrative, as the character is concurrently occupied with the events of God of War Ragnarök.
Expanding the Universe Through Remakes
Beyond the new narrative featuring Faye, Santa Monica Studio has officially confirmed that it is working on a remake of the original God of War Greek trilogy. This project marks a significant return to the series’ origins, ensuring that the legacy of the earlier games is preserved for a modern audience. While the original trilogy—beginning with the 2005 release on PS2, followed by its sequel in 2007 and God of War 3 on PS3 in 2010—set the foundation for the franchise, the remake is currently in its “early stages” of development, with no official release date provided by the studio.
Barlog has previously described the focus on Faye as a way to highlight a character who was “pivotal to the beginning” of the modern saga. By exploring different facets of the world, the studio aims to enrich the lore without diminishing the importance of its primary hero. As the development team continues to balance these new projects, the message remains clear: the God of War franchise is evolving, but its foundation remains tethered to the journey of Kratos.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- Kratos Remains Central: Santa Monica Studio has explicitly stated there will always be Kratos-led games in the future.
- Laufey as an Expansion: The upcoming God of War Laufey is positioned as a narrative expansion, not a replacement for the series’ core protagonist.
- Trilogy Remake Underway: A remake of the original Greek trilogy is in early development, promising a return to the series’ roots.
- Narrative Context: The new title takes place within the existing timeline, featuring familiar figures like Kratos and Atreus during pivotal moments from the series’ history.
As of June 2026, Santa Monica Studio has not provided further details regarding the release window for God of War Laufey or the upcoming trilogy remake. Fans looking for the most current updates on these projects should monitor the official PlayStation Blog for future announcements. We invite you to share your thoughts on the future of the series in the comments section below.
