Sony Santa Monica’s Next Big Thing Not a New IP But May ‘Feel Like One’
Update #2 []: We feel a bit guilty for parroting every word Bloomberg journo Jason Schreier writes, but the man knows his onions and he’s been dropping hints about Santa Monica Studio’s next game all day.
After suggesting earlier in the day that the team’s next title, led by veteran Cory Barlog, is not a new IP, he’s now clarified what he means.
Here’s what he wrote on ResetEra:
“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. Please don’t ask me more questions about this – if I wind up reporting more information at any point in the future it’ll be in an article, not on a forum. And that the sci-fi stuff (that people have apparently believed for years now?) is nonsense.”
So it’s not a sci-fi game like previously believed, and it’s a fresh take on an existing PlayStation franchise that may feel like a new IP.
We suppose the natural conclusion here is that it’s God of War in a new mythos, perhaps much like 2018’s reboot. We certainly can’t think of another existing PlayStation property that would warrant the attention of an all-star director like Barlog to continue.
Interesting.
Thanks, Jason – now we have even more questions.
Update #1 []: Bloomberg scribe Jason Schreier has thrown a further spanner in the works by asking: “Why does everybody think [Cory] Barlog’s game is a new IP?”
The implication here is that it’s not a new IP, although it’s unclear whether Jason is just having a bit of fun, knowing whatever he says will reverberate around the web, including on websites like ours.
It should be noted that a handful of Santa Monica Studio staffers have referred to the fact they’re working on a new IP in their resumes, while Barlog himself has not been shy about wanting to try something new.
However, there’s always the possibility the dev could be working on a licensed franchise, or revisiting something from PlayStation’s past. Or it’s just making more God of War…
Original Story: Cory Barlog, the veteran Santa Monica Studio director behind all-time PlayStation classics like God of War 2 and 2018’s God of War reboot, is toiling away on the studio’s “next big thing”.
We’ve known for some time that the developer has been plotting a fresh intellectual property, as Barlog stepped away from directorial duties on God of War Ragnarok, passing the baton to Eric Williams.
But in a brief update from Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier, writing on the ResetEra forums, progress is going well on Santa Monica Studio’s new game.
He wrote in response to a fan query:
“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.”
We’d assume this project has become the focus of the studio’s attention since it shipped God of War Ragnarok in 2022, so it’s possible this will be officially revealed soon – assuming development is, as Shreier alludes, going well.
As for what it entails, that’s anyone’s guess. Barlog has alluded to the idea of a sci-fi game in the past, but it’s unclear whether that’s what he’s working on.
Between the likes of Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, Saros, Marvel’s Wolverine, and whatever this turns out to be, it’s looking like there’s a unique and exciting end to the PS5 generation ahead.
What would you like to see from Santa Monica Studio next? Share your thoughts or predictions in the comments section below.
