A rumoured God of War spin-off starring Faye could be revealed at the next PlayStation State of Play. The prequel reportedly features Faye and Tyr as dual protagonists, Devil May Cry-inspired combat, and Japanese, Chinese and Mayan mythologies, with a planned 2027 release window.
Sony Santa Monica Studio is reportedly developing a new God of War project that replaces Kratos with his late wife Faye (Laufey the Just) as the lead character. First revealed by credible industry insider NateTheHate on 1 March 2026, the spin-off has been in development for an estimated five to seven years under the direction of God of War (2018) director Cory Barlog. The current plan, according to multiple sources, is a reveal in 2026 and a release in the first half of 2027, barring delays.
Is the God of War Faye Spin-Off Real?
Neither Sony nor Santa Monica Studio has officially confirmed the project. However, an unusual number of trusted industry voices have independently corroborated its existence. NateTheHate’s original leak was backed by Shpeshal_Nick, IGN, and Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier had previously stated that Santa Monica’s mystery project is “not a new IP, but it could feel like a new IP,” strongly implying a franchise set within the God of War universe but radically different in tone and gameplay.
A since-deleted LinkedIn profile from a former Santa Monica employee referenced work on “the narrative vision and creative direction of a new franchise within the God of War universe, developing original characters, storylines, and lore.” This language suggests the project is far more than a small side game.
Who Is Faye and Why Does She Matter?
Faye, also known as Laufey the Just, is a Frost Giant (Jotünn) from Jotunheim, the wife of Kratos, and the mother of Atreus (Loki). She was the original wielder of the Leviathan Axe, forged for her by the dwarven brothers Brok and Sindri. While she appeared only as a corpse in God of War (2018), her presence shaped the entire Norse saga. In God of War Ragnarok (2022), she was brought to life through flashback sequences performed by actress Deborah Ann Woll via voice and motion capture.
Faye was no passive character. She fought Thor to a stalemate in Vanaheim, a battle so devastating it destroyed an entire village and left a frozen lightning mark on the landscape. Kratos himself praised her fighting abilities, and Freya described her combat prowess as “extraordinary.” As the Last Guardian of the Jotnar, Faye used concealment magic powerful enough to hide her family from Odin for decades. Her foresight abilities allowed her to orchestrate the events of the entire Norse duology from beyond the grave.
What Will the Gameplay Be Like?
Multiple insiders agree that the spin-off will play significantly differently from the Norse-era God of War titles. The slow, grounded, over-the-shoulder camera combat of 2018 and Ragnarok is reportedly being replaced with a faster, combo-heavy system that several sources compare to Devil May Cry. Shpeshal_Nick specifically stated the combat would be “closer in style to Devil May Cry than the newer God of War games.”
This makes narrative sense. Where Kratos fights like an immovable force, Faye is described as quick, precise, and acrobatic, using speed and giant magic. Reports suggest players will wield a sentient “talking sword” nicknamed Merlin in development files, enabling mid-air dashes, juggle combos, and elemental chaining. This weapon functions as a secondary character, replacing the Atreus-style companion arrow system from previous entries. A second companion described as a “gelatinous cube” is also rumoured.
Which Mythologies Will Be Explored?
Perhaps the most surprising leak is the game’s multi-mythology approach. MP1st independently confirmed that Chinese and Japanese mythological elements will feature in the title. Mayan mythology has also been reported as part of the mix. Rather than committing to a single new pantheon, as the series did with Norse mythology, the spin-off appears to blend several belief systems through Faye’s travels alongside Tyr.
This direction was foreshadowed in God of War (2018), where Tyr’s vault and hidden temple displayed symbols from multiple world mythologies. The spin-off reportedly uses Tyr’s temple as a gateway connecting these disparate mythic realms, with each region serving as a large explorable hub with unique enemies and boss encounters.
Faye and Tyr as Dual Protagonists
According to a 2023 FandomWire report that was later corrected and expanded, the spin-off will feature two main characters: Faye and Tyr, the Norse God of War. Kratos will not be directly playable, though he may appear in some capacity. Given that Faye died before the events of God of War (2018), the game is widely presumed to be a prequel, covering her warrior years as Laufey the Just and her collaboration with Tyr to protect the giants and hide Jotunheim.
Faye’s pre-2018 timeline offers rich storytelling potential: her failed rebellion against the Aesir gods, her efforts to bring the scattered giants home, her legendary fight with Thor, and eventually her meeting with Kratos. The game could bridge the gap between God of War III and the 2018 reboot.
When Could the Reveal Happen?
In mid-May 2026, PlayStation leaker Elesnicho posted “Faye of War” on X, a cryptic message that many interpreted as a hint toward an imminent State of Play reveal. Elesnicho had accurately leaked the February 2026 State of Play weeks before its announcement, lending credibility to the suggestion.
NateTheHate wrote on 10 May: “I have a general window but no exact date. So it’s too soon to share any specifics about State of Play.” Based on PlayStation’s typical showcase cadence, the next State of Play could fall between late May and early June 2026. Tom Henderson had previously reported hearing the God of War announcement was planned for April, but no showcase materialised that month. The window of 20 May to 2 June remains the strongest current estimate for a reveal.
The Expanding God of War Universe
The Faye spin-off is part of a broader expansion strategy for the franchise. At the February 2026 State of Play, Sony announced two additional projects:
- God of War Greek Trilogy Remake: A PS5 remake of the original Greek mythology trilogy, currently in early development with original Kratos voice actor Terrence “T.C.” Carson returning.
- God of War: Sons of Sparta: A 2D action platformer by Mega Cat Studios, shadow-dropped on 12 February 2026. It follows young Kratos and his brother Deimos during their training at the Spartan Agoge.
A live-action God of War television series for Amazon Prime Video also entered production in February 2026, adapting Kratos’s Norse-era story across two back-to-back seasons. Combined with the Faye project and the trilogy remake, the franchise is entering its most ambitious era.
Cory Barlog and the Development Timeline
Cory Barlog, who directed the acclaimed God of War (2018) but did not direct Ragnarok, is reported to be leading this spin-off. His team’s absence from Ragnarok development means the project could have been in active production since approximately 2020 or 2021, aligning with the five-plus years of development suggested by the deleted LinkedIn profile. Barlog was previously rumoured to be working on a sci-fi IP, which Schreier debunked, suggesting the project was always tied to the God of War universe.
Community Reaction and What It Could Mean for the Series
Fan reaction has been polarised. Some players resist the idea of a God of War game without Kratos, arguing the series is defined by his presence. Others point to Faye’s established combat prowess (matching both Thor and Kratos in battle) and her untold backstory as compelling reasons for a dedicated title. Comparisons to Metal Gear Solid 2’s controversial but ultimately celebrated protagonist switch from Snake to Raiden have been drawn.
If the leaks are accurate, the spin-off represents Sony’s biggest creative gamble with one of its flagship franchises: a new combat philosophy, multiple mythologies, and a protagonist who has never been playable. The Devil May Cry-style approach, combined with Faye’s established lore as a warrior who rivalled the strongest gods, could deliver something genuinely fresh for the action genre.
Key Questions Answered
Has Sony officially confirmed the game?
No. All information comes from credible industry insiders and leaked documents. Sony and Santa Monica Studio have made no official announcement.
Will Kratos appear?
He is not expected to be playable, but leaks suggest he could appear in some form. Since Faye and Kratos met during the timeline this game would cover, a narrative appearance is plausible.
What platforms will it release on?
No platforms have been confirmed, but PS5 is virtually certain. A PC release is expected to follow roughly six months after the console launch, consistent with Sony’s recent porting strategy.
When is the expected release date?
According to NateTheHate, the first half of 2027 is the target window, provided there are no delays.
Is this a full game or a smaller spin-off?
The project has been described as a “new franchise within the God of War universe,” suggesting something larger than a DLC or budget title. However, it is not being positioned as a numbered sequel (i.e., God of War 6) but rather as the start of a parallel series within the same universe.
