Cory Barlog said the God of War Laufey game sits inside a larger plan for the franchise, with the next Kratos-led entry coming after it and tying directly into Faye’s story. For Fans of the God of War, that means Kratos is not being pushed aside by the new focus on Faye.
At the God of War Laufey panel during San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Barlog said, "Everything we are doing in the Faye game is a continuation of what came before and to set up and expand what comes next". He also said, "there's always going to be Kratos games".
Cory Barlog and Kratos
Santa Monica Studio has been signaling that split for months. In June, Barlog discussed Kratos’ future in an interview uploaded to PlayStation’s YouTube channel, and the studio’s official X account said, "Kratos is the God of War – we have many more stories to tell with him". That keeps Kratos central even as God of War Laufey moves the franchise toward Faye.
A 20-minute gameplay segment for God of War Laufey aired at the end of June’s PlayStation State of Play showcase, and it opened with Kratos and Atreus burning Faye’s body before Kratos appears again aiding Faye during her imprisonment. The framing is deliberate: Santa Monica Studio is using Faye’s game to widen the story world, not to close the door on its lead character.
February 16, 2027
God of War Laufey is set to release on February 16, 2027, giving the studio a clear runway for the new chapter before attention shifts to the next Kratos-led game. That next game has no title, setting, platform, or release date announced, so Barlog’s statement is less a teaser than a roadmap.
The business read is straightforward. Santa Monica Studio has now separated the franchise into two linked tracks: a Faye-focused release with a date, and a future Kratos entry with only its story direction set. For Fans of the God of War, the message is that Kratos remains the long-term center of the series even while God of War Laufey carries the immediate spotlight.
