Will God of War Ragnarok be the Last Game in the Series?
The God of War franchise has been a beloved and highly successful series, with four main games and numerous spin-offs developed by Sony Santa Monica Studio over the past two decades. The latest game, God of War Ragnarok, received widespread critical acclaim and commercial success upon its release in November 2022.
Despite the success of the latest installment, gamers and fans alike have been wondering – will God of War Ragnarok be the last game in the series?
The History of the Franchise
To understand why some fans might think God of War Ragnarok could be the final chapter in the series, it’s essential to recap the history of the franchise.
The series began in 2005 with God of War, a ground-breaking game that redefined action-adventure gaming. The gamefollowed Kratos, a fierce warrior, as he battled mythological creatures and gods in Ancient Greece. The game’s success was met with critical acclaim and sales of over 4.7 million copies.
The franchise continued to flourish with God of War II (2007), God of War: Chains of Olympus (2008), and God of War: Ghost of Sparta (2010). However, it was 2010’s God of War III that marked the first major departure from the series, with Kratos’ destruction of Olympus and his move to the Norse realm.
god of War (2018) marked a significant shift in the direction of the series, focusing on father-son relationships and exploring Kratos and Atreus’ journey through Midgard. god of War Ragnarok seems to be a natural culmination of this new direction, concluding their story and exploring the events of Ragnarök.
The Creator’s Message
In a recent PlayStation Blog post , Cory Barlog, former game director and creative lead, expressed his gratitude to the team and fans, stating that there will be no new God of War games made without his direct involvement as a creative lead. This sent shockwaves through the gaming community, and some fans took it to mean that the series would come to an end.
However, Barlog didn’t explicitly say that God of War Ragnarok would be the final game in the series. In another interview, Barlog suggested that the future of the game is bright but unpredictable, hinting at the possibility of new storylines, characters, and games in the series.
Table: Overview of the God of War Franchise
| Game Title | Release Date | Storyline |
|---|---|---|
| God of War | March 2005 | Ancient Greece: Kratos vs. Ares |
| God of War II | March 2007 | Retaliation: Kratos vs. Zeus |
| God of War: Chains of Olympus | March 2008 | Prequel to God of War: Kratos vs. Athena |
| God of War: Ghost of Sparta | November 2010 | Prequel: Kratos vs. Poseidon |
| God of War III | March 2010 | Conclusion of trilogy: Kratos vs. Odin |
| God of War (2018) | April 2018 | Story of Kratos and Atreus in Midgard |
| God of War Ragnarok | November 2022 | Concluding Story of Kratos and Atreus |
FAQs – Will God of War Ragnarok be the Last Game in the Series?
Q: Are you done with the God of War series?
A: Cory Barlog, former game director and creative lead, has stated that there won’t be new God of War games without his direct involvement as creative lead. However, he didn’t specify that God of War Ragnarok would be the last game in the series.
Q: Did Cory Barlog confirm the end of the series?
A: No, Barlog didn’t directly confirm the end of the series, stating that the future of God of War is bright and unpredictable.
Q: Can we see a new game in the same universe?
A: Yes, though the story may not exclusively follow Kratos and Atreus, the franchise can introduce new characters, settings, or storylines.
Q: What makes you think God of War Ragnarok will be the last game in the series?
A: Some speculated that Barlog’s statement or the conclusion of Kratos and Atreus’ story in God of War Ragnarok would mean the end of the franchise.
Q: Are sequels or spin-offs ruled out for the series?
A: No, while Cory Barlog doesn’t plan to create new games directly, other developers and writers in the industry may take an interest in exploring the God of War franchise.
Q: How will fans know if God of War will continue?
A: An official announcement from Sony Santa Monica Studio or the developers would be essential to confirm the continuation or conclusion of the series.
Q: Are there no more stories to tell in this universe?
A: The God of War franchise has a rich history and untold stories, including the accounts of other gods, mortals, or creatures in the universe.
Conclusion
While the future of God of War is uncertain, it seems unlikely that God of War Ragnarok will be the last game in the series. Cory Barlog’s statement indicated a creative hiatus, rather than the definitive end of the franchise. Furthermore, the franchise’s rich storyline, characters, and universe, offer endless possibilities for new games or spin-offs.
For now, God of War Ragnarok presents a thrilling conclusion to Kratos and Atreus’ journey through Midgard, while leaving room for speculation about the future of the series. Time will tell whether the games will continue, and fans’ excitement will keep them tuned for any updates or announcements from Sony Santa Monica Studio.