God of War Ragnarök
News, coverage and analysis tracking God of War Ragnarök across the outlets.
Sony closes first-party studio Dark Outlaw GamesSony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by industry veteran Jason Blundell. The company cited strategic adjustments for long-term sustainability, which included workforce reductions. Separately, Epic Games announced layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to a downturn in Fortnite engagement and broader industry challenges.
OG God of War devs didn't expect the PS2 classic to take 4 years to make, but they "didn't know any better" and "crunched like motherf***ers"Original God of War developers at Sony Santa Monica Studio did not anticipate the PS2 classic would take four years to complete, admitting to intense crunch periods due to youth and enthusiasm. While crunch is now largely discouraged, the article reflects on the extended development times of early titles compared to modern games and the ongoing discussion about work-life balance in the industry.- Death Stranding 2 Has the Best PC Launch for a Single-player PlayStation-First GameDeath Stranding 2 achieved a peak concurrent user count of over 55,000 on Steam within its first 24 hours, surpassing the combined launch performance of Death Stranding and its Director's Cut. This makes it the best PC launch for a single-player, PlayStation-first title, outperforming other major Sony sequels on the platform.
Death Stranding 2 Has the Best PC Launch for a Single-player PlayStation-First GameDeath Stranding 2 achieved a peak concurrent user count of 55,444 on Steam within its first 24 hours, surpassing the combined launch numbers of Death Stranding and its Director's Cut. This makes it the best PC launch for a single-player, PlayStation-first title, outperforming other major Sony sequels on the platform.
GE-Proton 10-34 brings fixes for God of War Ragnarök, Assassin's Creed, Final Fantasy XIVGE-Proton 10-34 has been released, introducing fixes for several games including God of War Ragnarök, Assassin's Creed 1, and Final Fantasy XIV on Linux and SteamOS. This community-run compatibility layer update also includes new features for Wayland monitor detection and general Wine improvements.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Animator Criticises DLSS 5, Says it “Isn’t Just Some Lighting”Veteran animator Mike York, who worked on Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and God of War Ragnarök, has criticized Nvidia's DLSS 5 technology, stating it appears to be a complete AI re-render rather than just lighting improvements. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang defended the technology, claiming critics are wrong and that DLSS 5 fuses game control with generative AI. Reports suggest developers at Capcom and Ubisoft were unaware of the technology before Nvidia's showcase.
Sony Is Still Updating the PS3, Nearly 20 Years LaterAlanah Pearce, a former writer at Sony Santa Monica who worked on God of War Ragnarök, has commented on the sex minigames present in the earlier God of War titles. She provided further details regarding their inclusion in the series.
Intel Arc update adds pre-compiled shaders to speed up game load times by up to 3xIntel has released a new Arc graphics driver update that includes a Graphics Shader Distribution Service to pre-compile shaders, significantly reducing game load times by up to 3x on Intel Arc B-series GPUs and Core Ultra processors. This feature, also supported by Microsoft's API, aims to eliminate shader compilation wait times common in PC gaming and improve in-game stuttering. The update includes support for major titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and God of War Ragnarok.
Intel must also hate waiting for shaders to compile as it begins bundling pre-compiled code into Arc drivers for faster…Intel is introducing a new service that bundles pre-compiled shaders into its graphics drivers for Arc GPUs, aiming to reduce game loading times by up to 50% and minimize stuttering. This initiative, part of Microsoft's Advanced Shader Delivery system, will also be supported by Nvidia for GeForce RTX users later this year and is already being utilized by the Xbox ROG Ally.
Biting the silver bullet: AI in the games industry in 2026 and beyond | OpinionDr. Tommy Thompson argues that while AI has potential in game development, the current focus on generative AI is misguided and driven by corporate greed, overlooking genuine breakthroughs and ethical concerns. He emphasizes the need for a more nuanced industry discussion on responsible AI adoption, distinguishing between hype and practical application.
Share of the Week: PrizePlayStation's Share of the Week highlights user-submitted screenshots and in-game moments from various titles including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Death Stranding, and God of War Ragnarök. Players are encouraged to share their own in-game captures using #PSshare and #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.- Alanah Addresses God of War's Sex ScenesFormer Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce has discussed the sex minigames featured in the earlier God of War titles. Pearce, who worked on God of War Ragnarök, provided insights into the inclusion of such content in the series.
Alanah Addresses God of War's Sex ScenesPlayers are discussing the direction of Sony Santa Monica's upcoming projects, with some expressing confusion over a potential God of War prequel while director Corey Barlog works on a separate, unannounced title. Concerns are raised about Sony's reliance on established franchises versus developing new intellectual property.
Pearl Abyss Reveals Launch Trailer for Crimson Desert Prior to Global Release on March 20 - GameHauntPearl Abyss has revealed the launch trailer for Crimson Desert, an open-world action RPG set to release globally on March 20, 2026. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and ROG Xbox Ally, featuring fast-paced combat, dragon riding, and a vast world. Pre-load begins on March 17, 2026.
Dynamic Pricing Reported in PlayStation StoreSony has been conducting A/B price tests in the PlayStation Store since November 2025, affecting over 100 games across more than seventy regions. This dynamic pricing experiment, which includes both discounts and potential price increases, has expanded to the US market and involves first-party titles like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 and God of War Ragnarök, as well as games from major publishers. The move has sparked concern among users regarding potential price inflation and unfair practices.
The Best PS5 Deals This Week: Save On RPGs, Preowned Games, And Accessories - March 11, 2026This week's PlayStation 5 deals include significant discounts on RPGs like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, as well as sales on preowned games from GameFly. Several accessories, including headsets and DualSense controllers, are also available at reduced prices, though console bundle stock is limited.
How to Play God of War Games in Chronological Order: Kratos’ Full StoryThis article discusses the chronological order of the God of War games and explores community discussions around potential future titles. Players are debating the direction of Sony Santa Monica's next project, with some hoping for a new IP and others speculating about a God of War prequel or spin-off.
Hypothetically, Could Sony Stop Its PS5 Ports from Running on Xbox Helix?The article speculates on whether Sony could prevent its PlayStation 5 games from running on Microsoft's rumored 'Xbox Helix' PC platform. It discusses the shift in console business models, the implications of PC ports, and Sony's recent decision to pull back from releasing some of its single-player titles on PC, questioning the future of console exclusivity.
God of War's infamous sex minigames were actually "designed by women", former Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce revealsFormer Sony Santa Monica writer Alanah Pearce revealed that the controversial sex minigames in the early God of War titles were largely designed by women, with one chamber explicitly designed to resemble a labia. Pearce believes these minigames should be included in upcoming remakes, arguing they are critical of Kratos's character and serve his narrative journey.
Sony is Seemingly Testing Dynamic Pricing On The PlayStation StoreSony is reportedly testing dynamic pricing on the PlayStation 5 PlayStation Store, with some users receiving personalized discounts of up to 17.6% on over 100 games. This A/B testing, which has been ongoing for at least three months across nearly 70 regions excluding the US and Japan, includes both first-party and third-party titles.