Sony Santa Monica’s Next Game Isn’t a New IP – But It Might Just Blow Your Mind Anyway

Sony Santa Monica Studio might not be about to launch a completely new universe, but that hasn’t stopped gamers from speculating wildly. According to a report, the iconic studio’s next game is technically not a “new IP”, but internal whispers suggest that it may still feel like something we’ve never played before. It’s a key distinction that’s already sparking debate both inside the PlayStation sphere and beyond.

Santa Monica Studio, best known for its revolutionary work on the God of War series, especially the 2018 soft reboot and its 2022 sequel, God of War Ragnarök, hasn’t publicly announced what comes next. But sources close to the studio have told insider reports that its upcoming title toes the line between familiar and fresh. That doesn’t necessarily mean Kratos is returning—but it also doesn’t mean we’re done with his world entirely.

Sony Santa Monica’s next game is described as not being a brand new IP, meaning it likely connects to existing storylines or universes in some capacity. Still, the hint that “it might feel like one” opens the door to potential genre shifts—or even a dramatic new setting within an established lore. Could we be seeing a reinvention—a spiritual successor of sorts—to the Norse chapter of God of War? Or a new character taking the lead in the post-Ragnarök landscape? The possibilities are dizzying, and the phrasing used by staff certainly invites curiosity.

What’s Actually Happening Behind the Curtain?

As of now, Sony Santa Monica remains tight-lipped. The studio has not officially confirmed the game’s name, genre, or platforms, but it’s expected that this title will be a PS5 exclusive—and potentially designed with PlayStation 6 in mind, given where we are in the console cycle.

This new project is expected to maintain elements that the studio is known for—likely high stakes, rich narrative, and brutal combat mechanics—while potentially branching into new thematic or stylistic areas. Considering how God of War Ragnarök thoroughly wrapped up its Norse saga, many wonder if Atreus might step forward into his own standalone journey, or if someone entirely new takes the reins.

It has also been speculated that Santa Monica Studio 2025 might be building a narrative RPG that leans more into exploration and emotional character work without completely ditching the heart-pounding hack-and-slash gameplay that fans of the franchise love. This theoretical shift would make the game feel fresh while still retaining the DNA of iconic PlayStation action adventures.

There’s also the wildcard element: Sony Santa Monica might be branching into a different mythology again, or even something science-fantasy themed. Remember, the studio was once working on a space-themed project that never saw the light of day. Could threads of that cancelled idea be reborn in their next release?

Regardless of where the game goes, the phrase “it might feel like [a new IP]” has legs. That’s not marketing spin—it’s a creative decision. If done right, we could be looking at something that reinvents legacy storytelling and reclaims the title of genre-definer for the PlayStation 5, rivalling the likes of Ghost of Tsushima or even Elden Ring in player immersion.

For gamers who’ve been tracing Roberto Serrano’s breadcrumb tweets or Neil Druckmann’s whispers on the wind (which, let’s be honest, is half the fun of the PlayStation rumour mill), it’s still a waiting game. But knowing that the new God of War game might not just repeat earlier mythological blueprints should be enough to get both fans and analysts watching closely.

Expect official word from PlayStation or Santa Monica soon, potentially during the next State of Play showcase. Until then, it’s all theorycrafting and excited suspicion—but with Santa Monica at the helm, the wait may very well be worth it.