Rundown:
- Recent job listings on Santa Monica Studio’s website hint at the development of a new instalment in the God of War franchise, following the release of God of War Ragnarök in November 2022.
- The job listings suggest that the new instalment may feature a fully procedurally generated world, as Santa Monica Studio is seeking experienced artists and technical experts in procedural tools and world-building.
- Procedural generation is not new to the franchise, with the inclusion of Niflheim, a procedurally generated maze, in the first God of War instalment.
- Another job listing indicates that the undisclosed project will involve combat and the need for expertise in human and animal anatomy, further supporting the possibility of it being a new God of War instalment.
- While these job listings provide potential insight, no official announcements have been made by Santa Monica Studio regarding the development of another God of War instalment, and further confirmation is needed.
According to recent job listings on Santa Monica Studio’s website, a successor to the critically acclaimed action-adventure video game franchise, God of War, may be in development and nearing an announcement. The sequel to God of War, titled God of War Ragnarök, was released by Santa Monica Studio in November 2022. Although the company has not made any official announcements regarding future instalments in the franchise, the job listings suggest that progress is being made towards another game in the series.
Back in 2021, it came to light that Santa Monica Studios might be in the initial phases of developing another instalment in the God of War series. Unfortunately, no additional information was available about this undisclosed video game at that time. However, recent job listings on the company’s website now offer potential insight, hinting that the upcoming God of War instalment could introduce a fully procedurally generated world.
Earlier today, we stumbled upon a fresh job posting on the Santa Monica Studio website. The listing is for the position of Principal Procedural Tools Artist, and the description explicitly states, “Santa Monica Studio is seeking an experienced Procedural Tools Artist for the development of a new unannounced title!”
The company is currently engaged in developing procedural generation tools for its undisclosed project, presumably another instalment in the God of War series, as indicated by the nature of the work. One of the job responsibilities mentions, “Work closely with artists and designers to develop/define procedural systems and improve their workflows.”
Moreover, one of the preferred experiences listed for the ideal candidate highlights, “Experience in design or creating world building toolsets.” This strongly suggests that the chosen applicant would play a significant role in shaping the overall world and environment of the undisclosed project.
Nevertheless, this is not the sole job listing that emphasises the involvement of procedural generation tools in shaping the undisclosed project’s world and environment. Additional job listings, such as those for the Sr Procedural Technical Artist and Principal Technical Artist roles, similarly highlight the requirement for candidates to possess expertise in “procedural asset creation” and the ability to develop “world building toolsets.”
It is worth highlighting that procedural generation is not a novel concept within the God of War franchise. In fact, the initial instalment of the franchise already incorporated a procedurally generated maze known as Niflheim. This maze was characterised by an ominous mist that posed a lethal threat to players if they remained within it for too long. However, it is important to note that Niflheim was an optional location in the first instalment and made a reappearance as a secondary location in God of War Ragnarök.
Given the significant emphasis on job listings seeking expertise in procedural generation tools for world-building, it is plausible that the upcoming God of War instalment may introduce a fully procedurally generated world. This would be a remarkable undertaking for a franchise of its stature, as it has not been attempted in previous instalments.
To ascertain whether the undisclosed project is indeed another instalment in the God of War series, the Santa Monica Studio website features a job listing for the position of Lead Character Technical Artist. The description explicitly states, “Santa Monica Studio is seeking a Lead Character Technical Artist for the development of a new unannounced title!”
One of the responsibilities outlined in the job listing mentions, “Engage in broader game production challenges as they relate to combat design, animation, and character art.” This strongly suggests that the undisclosed project will incorporate combat, which is a characteristic element of action-adventure video games like God of War. The requirement for expertise in “human and animal anatomy” further supports the possibility of the project being another instalment in the franchise.
Although this potential development may generate excitement among God of War players, it is essential to acknowledge that the information solely stems from job listings and has not been officially confirmed by the company. Only time will reveal whether Santa Monica Studio intends to integrate procedural generation into the world-building of the upcoming God of War instalment, and if it indeed belongs to the same franchise.
What do you think about this? Do tell us your opinions in the comments below!
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From writing short stories in his room to finding true enthusiasm for video game and computer hardware journalism, Huzaifa plays video games and write all the latest and greatest news about them. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Data Science, he dives deep into the news, authenticating every tiny detail to serve his audience. When he’s not breaking news, he becomes a master storyteller, conjuring up captivating tales from the depths of his imagination. With a wealth of experience as a Video Game Journalist. He has also worked with Publishers like eXputer, The Nerd Mag and Gamesual making him an expert in Gaming News Industry.
