Summary

  • A recent job listing for Santa Monica Studio's rumored new IP mentions experience in "martial arts, acting, or dance" as part of its requirements.
  • This suggests that Santa Monica Studio's new IP could feature stylized, performance-driven animation and combat that deviate greatly from the God of War games.
  • Santa Monica Studio could be aiming for a 2027 or 2028 launch for its new IP.

A new job posting from God of War developer Santa Monica Studio features an interesting requirement that may hint at the studio's next game being a substantial deviation from its prior work. Santa Monica Studio has long been rumored to be developing a brand-new IP, and if job listings are any indication, the project could surprise fans who are used to the God of War series.

For two full decades, Santa Monica Studio has exclusively worked on the God of War franchise. Since the release of the first God of War game in 2005, Santa Monica Studio has delivered six franchise entries, and even breathed new life into the series with 2018's critically acclaimed reboot. After God of War Ragnarok wrapped up the Norse saga in 2022 and the 2023 Valhalla DLC gave Kratos a satisfying character resolution, fans have been speculating what Santa Monica Studio could be cooking up next.

5-God-Of-War-Games-With-The-Best-Combat,-Ranked
5 God Of War Games With The Best Combat, Ranked

While narrative has taken center stage in recent years, the God of War franchise has always been about combat at its core.

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It seems the developer's future doesn't lie solely in the God of War series, as rumors suggest Santa Monica Studio has been working on a new IP for quite some time. Numerous job listings from Santa Monica Studio have mentioned a brand-new IP, and a recent Cinematic Artist role asks for applicants with martial arts, acting, or dance experience - the latter being a rare requirement that implies the studio is exploring stylized, performance-driven animation and combat choreography. Compared to God of War's grounded brutality and epic mythology-inspired stories, this job listing points toward a game that could feature a fresh tone.

Santa Monica Studio Has Intriguing Job Requirements for its New IP

On the other hand, such requirements may just be standard fare for studios looking to bring cinematic artists on board. It's worth noting that cinematic artists are usually in charge of helping ideate and create cutscenes and cinematic sequences, as well as storyboarding, previsualization, camera work, game engine integration, and everything in between. Given the martial arts requirement, though, it's safe to assume that Santa Monica Studio's new IP will feature combat, that too potentially of a very different style compared to God of War.

Previous job listings also revealed that Santa Monica Studio's new IP will be a third-person action game that could be targeting Sony's next-generation console, the PlayStation 6 - likely alluding to a 2027 or 2028 launch window. Moreover, the project is purportedly being helmed by God of War (2018) and God of War 2 director Cory Barlog, who first hinted at its existence after the debut of God of War Ragnarok's first reveal trailer during the 2021 PlayStation Showcase. It remains to be seen when Santa Monica Studio pulls the covers off this brand-new project, but if the above information holds true, a formal reveal may take place next year.

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Santa Monica Studio
Santa Monica Studio
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Date Founded
1999
Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Parent Company
PlayStation Studios
Known For
God of War
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