Ethan Crossfield 
If you’re deciding whether to pay attention to the next wave of God of War news, the biggest takeaway is simple: Santa Monica Studio has confirmed a new mainline entry with Kratos, and it’s expected to arrive after God of War Laufey—whose release date is now set for February 16, 2027.
What changed: a new Kratos-led game is already in development
Santa Monica Studio creative director Cory Barlog confirmed that the next mainline God of War game featuring Kratos is in development. The announcement came during the God of War Laufey panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where Barlog indicated the new Kratos game would follow Laufey and directly connect to its events. While the panel didn’t provide a specific release window for the Kratos title, the confirmation itself is a major signal that the series is moving quickly from one chapter to the next.
Who’s affected: Laufey shifts the spotlight and sparked backlash
God of War Laufey was announced at the previous month’s State of Play, with Faye positioned as the protagonist. According to the source, this is the first time in the series’ history that Kratos is not the main character, and that decision drew criticism from some in the community. The reaction also prompted a response from Deborah Ann Woll, who plays Faye, who addressed fan anger by saying she’s staying offline and not letting the backlash bother her. For players hoping Kratos returns to the center, this latest confirmation suggests that the franchise’s spotlight shift is temporary.
What comes next: Laufey ties into Kratos’s return, plus TV adaptation updates
The Laufey panel didn’t just tease the narrative connection—it also confirmed Laufey’s release date as February 16, 2027. The source frames the upcoming Kratos game as an immediate continuation that is meant to justify taking Kratos out of the lead role for an entire entry. Separately, development of the God of War TV adaptation at Sony Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios is ongoing, but it recently faced a setback: Ryan Hurst was forced to be recast after a serious injury during filming, and his replacement has not yet been announced. The source notes that it’s unclear how the recasting could affect any potential release timing for the show.
What players should know
- Santa Monica Studio confirms the next mainline God of War game will star Kratos and is already in development.
- The Kratos game is expected to come after God of War Laufey and is described as directly connected to Laufey’s events.
- God of War Laufey’s release date is confirmed for February 16, 2027.
- Laufey’s decision to make Faye the protagonist (instead of Kratos) was the first such move in the series and drew community backlash.
- The God of War TV adaptation is still in progress, but it is dealing with a recast after Ryan Hurst’s injury.
| Project | What’s confirmed in the source | Key timing |
|---|---|---|
| God of War Laufey | Faye is the protagonist; Kratos is not the main character | Release date confirmed: February 16, 2027 |
| Next Kratos-led God of War game | In development; expected after Laufey; narrative connection to Laufey | No release date provided in the source |
Expert View
This is a clear win for fans who want Kratos back in the lead—especially because the studio is already tying the next chapter directly to Laufey’s story. At the same time, the lack of a dated target for the Kratos title means Laufey remains the immediate priority for planning your next playthrough, while the TV adaptation continues to carry uncertainty due to the recent recast.
