The gaming world is buzzing with excitement following a recent leak that has sent God of War fans into a frenzy. According to industry insider Jeff Grubb and various reports circulating online, God of War 6—or at least a new installment in the beloved franchise—is in development at Santa Monica Studio, and it’s set to take Kratos back to his roots in ancient Greece. This unexpected twist comes hot on the heels of the franchise’s 20th anniversary celebrations in March 2025, leaving fans speculating about what’s next for the iconic Spartan warrior. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the leaked details, explore what this means for the series, and flesh out the possibilities with additional context from the God of War universe and the gaming industry at large.

The Leak: A Return to Greece

The leak first gained traction when Jeff Grubb, a well-known gaming journalist with a solid (though not infallible) track record, posted on Bluesky in late March 2025. He claimed, “There’s still a Greek God of War thing coming out this year, but it’s not a remaster collection. It’s a new side-story project.” This revelation immediately debunked earlier rumors of a remastered trilogy featuring the original Greek saga (God of War, God of War II, and God of War III), which many fans had anticipated for the anniversary. Instead, it seems Santa Monica Studio is cooking up something fresh yet nostalgic—a side-story set in the blood-soaked lands of ancient Greece, where Kratos first carved his legend.

Grubb’s comments suggest this isn’t a full-fledged sequel like God of War: Ragnarök (2022), but rather a smaller-scale project, akin to Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. These titles offered compact yet impactful experiences that bridged the gap between major releases, and it appears God of War is following a similar playbook. The idea of revisiting Greece has sparked intense debate: Will this be a prequel exploring Kratos’ early days as a Spartan? A midquel set during his reign as the God of War? Or perhaps a completely new tale featuring a different protagonist tied to Kratos’ past?

Why Greece Again?

The God of War series began in 2005 with Kratos’ brutal rampage through Greek mythology, a journey that spanned six games (God of War, God of War II, God of War III, Chains of Olympus, Ghost of Sparta, and Ascension). By the end of God of War III, Kratos had toppled the entire Greek pantheon, leaving Mount Olympus in ruins and himself on the brink of death—or so it seemed. The 2018 reboot shifted the setting to Norse mythology, reimagining Kratos as a grizzled father seeking redemption alongside his son, Atreus. Ragnarök concluded the Norse saga, leaving fans wondering where the series could go next. Rumors of an Egyptian or Mayan setting had been swirling, fueled by creative director Cory Barlog’s past comments about exploring new mythologies. So why return to Greece now?

One theory is that Santa Monica Studio wants to capitalize on the franchise’s 20th anniversary by revisiting its origins in a way that feels both nostalgic and innovative. The Greek era remains a fan favorite for its over-the-top action, iconic boss battles (who can forget Zeus or Ares?), and Kratos’ unapologetic rage. A side-story could serve as a love letter to longtime fans while testing the waters for future directions. Another possibility is that this project ties into Kratos’ unresolved past. God of War III ended ambiguously, with Kratos releasing Hope to humanity and disappearing. Could this side-story reveal what happened in the aftermath, or explore a forgotten chapter of his life?

What We Know So Far

While details remain scarce, here’s what the leak and subsequent reports have hinted at:

Release Window: Grubb claims the game is slated for 2025, potentially as early as late this year. This aggressive timeline suggests a shorter development cycle, consistent with a side-story scope.
Scale: Described as a “side-story project,” it’s unlikely to match the sprawling 40-hour epics of God of War (2018) or Ragnarök. Think 10-15 hours of tightly paced gameplay.
Setting: Ancient Greece, though it’s unclear if this will be a prequel, midquel, or something entirely new. The focus on Greece rules out earlier speculation about Egypt, at least for now.
Developer: Santa Monica Studio is almost certainly at the helm, though some speculate a support studio (like Ready At Dawn, which developed the PSP titles) could be involved to expedite production.

Posts on X and gaming forums have added fuel to the fire. One user claimed, “Kratos is going back to Greece according to reports, and it’s a smaller-scale title similar to Miles Morales,” while another speculated, “The next God of War will RETURN to Greece and NOT be set in Egypt like what is being rumored.” These align with Grubb’s leak, though they remain unverified chatter for now.

Expanding the Narrative

To flesh out this 1500-word article, let’s explore some plausible scenarios for the game’s story, drawing on God of War lore and the leak’s implications. One compelling idea is a prequel centered on Kratos’ rise as a Spartan general before his pact with Ares. The original games touched on this briefly—his wife and daughter’s deaths, his servitude to the God of War—but there’s room to dive deeper. Imagine a young, ambitious Kratos leading his army against rival city-states, only to face betrayal and tragedy that set him on his path of vengeance. This could reintroduce classic enemies like the Furies or the Hydra in a fresh context, blending the hack-and-slash roots with the cinematic storytelling of the modern era.

Alternatively, the side-story could focus on a new character connected to Kratos’ past—perhaps a surviving Greek god seeking revenge, or a mortal imbued with the power of Hope. Ragnarök hinted at Kratos’ growing legend across mythologies; what if his actions in Greece rippled outward, creating new heroes or villains? A spin-off protagonist could offer a fresh perspective while keeping Kratos as a looming figure, much like Atreus took the spotlight in parts of Ragnarök.

Gameplay and Technical Expectations

If this is a PS5-exclusive side-story, expect it to leverage the console’s power for stunning visuals and fast load times, hallmarks of Santa Monica’s recent work. The combat could blend the visceral, combo-driven style of the Greek games with the weighty, over-the-shoulder feel of the Norse titles. Picture Kratos wielding the Blades of Chaos alongside a new Greek-inspired weapon—perhaps the Spear of Destiny or a reimagined Nemesis Whip. Puzzles and platforming, staples of the early games, might also return, offering a nostalgic yet refined experience.

Given the shorter scope, the game might focus on a single region—like Sparta or the Underworld—rather than a sprawling open world. This could allow for denser, more detailed environments, perfect for a quick but memorable adventure. And with Ragnarök’s Valhalla DLC proving the team can deliver bite-sized brilliance, confidence in this project is high.

The Bigger Picture

This leak raises questions about God of War’s long-term future. Is this a one-off experiment, or a stepping stone to a larger Greek revival? Fans have long clamored for remasters of the original trilogy, and while this isn’t that, it could gauge interest in Kratos’ early days. Meanwhile, the Egyptian rumors persist—earlier in 2025, a leak suggested Sony was casting Middle Eastern actors for an “unknown AAA game,” widely assumed to be God of War. Perhaps this side-story is a stopgap while a bigger, mythology-shifting sequel brews.

The timing also aligns with Sony’s strategy of keeping its first-party lineup strong. With Ragnarök now on PC and no major PlayStation exclusives announced for late 2025, a God of War side-story could fill the gap, keeping fans engaged and the PS5’s momentum rolling.

Fan Reactions and Speculation

The leak has ignited a firestorm online. On X, fans are split—some cheer the return to Greece, others lament the lack of a remaster or a new mythology. “A Greek side-story sounds dope, but I still want Kratos vs. Anubis,” one user posted. Another quipped, “If it’s not a full sequel, I’m cautiously hyped—don’t mess this up, Santa Monica!” The community’s passion is palpable, reflecting God of War’s status as PlayStation’s crown jewel, with over 60 million copies sold worldwide.

Conclusion

The leaked news of a God of War side-story set in Greece is a tantalizing twist for a franchise at a crossroads. Whether it’s a nostalgic nod, a narrative bridge, or a bold experiment, it promises to keep Kratos’ blades swinging in 2025. As we await official confirmation from Santa Monica Studio, one thing is clear: the Ghost of Sparta’s legacy is far from over. Stay tuned—this could be the start of another epic chapter.