New God of War Protagonist Leaked by Insider (and It’s Not Kratos)

A recently spotted LinkedIn profile may have just hinted that Cory Barlog’s long-rumored next project is in fact another God of War title, albeit one that doesn’t feature Kratos as the primary protagonist. Instead, leaker NateTheHate claims that the next God of War will see players assume the role of Faye.

After directing 2018’s God of War, Cory Barlog handed the reins of the sequel over to Eric Williams, with the pair announcing the directorial shift during the September 2021 PlayStation Showcase. While Williams led the charge on God of War Ragnarok, Barlog was busy working on a mysterious project, one that still hasn’t been officially announced. There have been plenty of rumors over the last few years regarding what Barlog’s next project could be, ranging from an all-new IP set in a Sci-Fi universe to a new God of War game set in a different mythology. One of the more substantial rumors surfaced in July 2025, when renowned industry insider Jason Schreier claimed that this project was “not a new IP but it might feel like one.”

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The Next God of War Could Star Faye

Eight months later, Jason Schreier’s claim may have received some supporting evidence. On March 1, ResetEra users found the LinkedIn profile of someone who worked at Santa Monica Studios as a Senior Writer between August 2020 and September 2025. In their description of their time at Santa Monica, the LinkedIn user wrote that they “helped shape narrative vision and creative direction at Sony Santa Monica Studio for a new franchise within the God of War universe, developing characters, storylines, and original lore that expanded the acclaimed IP.”

This LinkedIn profile seemingly suggests that Santa Monica has been working on another game in the God of War universe, one that expands the series in a new direction. While the profile description never mentions him, many ResetEra users believe that this post refers to Cory Barlog’s next game. Many users have also pointed to Jason Schreier’s recent Bloomberg report as a sign that Santa Monica is in the process of expanding the God of War franchise, with the insider stating that Sony wants God of War to be “its own smaller version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” capable of supporting sequels and spinoffs like the reportedly canceled Bluepoint God of War live-service game.

A few hours after the ResetEra thread went live, well-known leaker NateTheHate quoted tweeted Wccftech’s report on the thread. In their X post, NateTheHate claimed that Cory Barlog’s next game will indeed be “set within the God of War universe,” and that Faye will be the game’s lead character. NateTheHate also claimed that its gameplay will differ from that found in the God of War Norse duology, with it putting an even greater focus on action. According to NateTheHate, this new God of War game will be revealed this year and is currently set to launch in the “first half of 2027.” As always, all rumors and leaks should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.

Faye’s Role in God of War Explained

This section contains SPOILERS for God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarok.

God of War (2018) begins with Faye, the wife of Kratos and mother of Atreus, having just died. This death is the impetus of the game’s narrative and action, with Faye tasking Kratos and Atreus to spread her ashes from the highest peak in all the Nine Realms. At the end of God of War (2018), it’s revealed that Faye was actually a Giant from Jotunheim, and was known among her people as Laufey.

In God of War Ragnarok, Kratos experiences several dream sequences featuring Faye, who’s played by actor Deborah Ann Woll. These dream sequences shed more light on her time with Kratos both before and shortly after the birth of Atreus, whom she wanted to call Loki. Hidden in an entirely optional area in Vanaheim, players can find a large crater with a frozen lightning bolt stuck in its center. It’s revealed that, many years ago, Faye fought Thor in this spot, wielding the Leviathan Axe against Mjolnir. If these recent rumors are true, then the next God of War game could very well be a prequel to the Norse duology, one revolving around Faye’s time as a warrior of Jotunheim locked in battle with the Aesir gods.