Sony Santa Monica’s rumored God of War spin-off starring Faye and Tyr could be the big reveal at the June 2, 2026 State of Play. Here is everything leaked so far about Cory Barlog’s next project, from multiple mythologies to Devil May Cry-inspired combat.
Sony Santa Monica Studio is reportedly developing a God of War spin-off starring Faye, Kratos’ wife and Atreus’ mother from the Norse saga, and multiple insiders now claim it will be revealed at the June 2, 2026 State of Play. The God of War franchise has sold over 66 million copies worldwide, and this project could mark the boldest creative shift in the series since Cory Barlog reinvented it with God of War (2018). Here is everything leaked and rumored about the game so far.
When Is the June 2 State of Play and What Is Confirmed?
Sony has officially confirmed that State of Play returns on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with more than 60 minutes of updates, announcements, and gameplay reveals. The stream will begin at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM CET and will air live on PlayStation’s YouTube and Twitch channels. Sony has even partnered with select Alamo Drafthouse cinemas in the US to screen the event.
The only officially confirmed game is Marvel’s Wolverine from Insomniac Games, set for a September 15 PS5 release, which will open the show. However, the 60-minute-plus runtime signals a packed lineup. Insider AlexandreNGamR (also known as Alir) responded to speculation about the event’s big mystery reveal by stating plainly: “It’s the Faye game.”
Where Did the Faye Spin-Off Rumours Start?
The first concrete leak came in early March 2026 from NateTheHate, a well-known industry insider whose PlayStation scoops have a strong track record. He posted on X that Santa Monica Studio’s next project is set within the God of War universe, stars Faye as the lead, and features gameplay that differs from the Norse God of War entries with more of a focus on action. He added that the studio planned to reveal the game in 2026 and release it in the first half of 2027.
Before the insider leaks, a former Santa Monica Studio senior writer named Lauren Signorino listed on her LinkedIn profile that she had shaped the “narrative vision and creative direction” for “a new franchise within the God of War universe.” The listing was later removed but not before screenshots circulated widely. IGN, Shpeshal Nick, and other credible outlets corroborated that the project is real and that Cory Barlog, director of God of War (2018), is leading it. Development reportedly began as far back as 2019.
Who Are the Protagonists? What Happens to Kratos?
According to multiple reports, the game will feature dual protagonists: Faye and Tyr. Faye, whose real name is Laufey the Just, is a Jotun (frost giant) warrior who was central to the entire Norse saga despite dying before the events of God of War (2018). She forged the path Kratos and Atreus would follow, manipulated events from beyond the grave, and orchestrated the chain of events leading to Ragnarok.
Tyr, the Norse god of war, worked alongside Faye to hide the Jotunheim realm tower from the Aesir and protect the remaining giants from Thor and Odin. He was an important non-playable character in God of War Ragnarok. Their shared history provides a natural foundation for a prequel story.
Kratos will reportedly not be the lead. However, sources from FandomWire’s original 2023 report indicated that the Spartan hero will still make an appearance in some form. Cory Barlog himself stated years ago in an interview that he deeply wanted to explore how Faye and Kratos first met, describing their initial encounter not as romance but as a brutal fight.
Multiple Mythologies: Japanese, Chinese, Mayan, and Beyond
One of the most significant leaked details comes from MP1st, which reported in April 2026 that the game will move beyond Norse mythology to explore multiple mythological traditions. Chinese and Japanese mythologies are specifically named, and Mayan mythology is also reportedly included. Some sources have mentioned Egyptian elements as well, though this remains less certain.
This multi-mythology approach is not entirely surprising for long-time fans. God of War (2018) planted seeds for this direction through the Tyr’s Temple scene, which displayed symbols and artefacts from Egyptian, Japanese, Celtic, and Mayan cultures. The idea is that Faye, before ever meeting Kratos, may have travelled between different mythological worlds, gathering knowledge and magic that would eventually explain her extraordinary foresight and power in the Norse saga.
Gameplay Shift: Devil May Cry-Inspired Action
Multiple sources indicate a significant gameplay departure from the slower, grounded combat of God of War (2018) and Ragnarok. The spin-off is described as leaning toward Devil May Cry-style fast-paced hack-and-slash combat. This fits Faye’s character profile: the Leviathan Axe was originally forged by the dwarven brothers Brok and Sindri specifically for her, and she was renowned as a formidable warrior with ice powers and exceptional agility.
The game will reportedly feature two companion characters. One is described as a “gelatinous cube,” an unusual mystical entity. The other is a talking sword that is said to be Merlin, yes, the Arthurian wizard. These details have raised eyebrows and sparked considerable debate among fans, as they represent a tonal shift from the typically grounded God of War universe. Whether these elements work will likely depend on execution.
Release Window and Platform
Based on NateTheHate’s original leak, the game is planned for a 2026 reveal and a first-half 2027 release. It is expected to be a PlayStation 5 first-party exclusive. Santa Monica Studio’s last major release was God of War Ragnarok in November 2022, meaning the team has had over three years of active development on this project.
The studio is also working on the God of War Greek Trilogy Remake, announced at the February 2026 State of Play but described as “very early in development.” Additionally, God of War: Sons of Sparta, a 2D action platformer set during young Kratos’ Spartan training, was shadow-dropped during the same event at $29.99 USD. Sony is clearly expanding the God of War franchise across multiple fronts simultaneously.
Why Faye Matters to the God of War Universe
Faye is arguably the most influential unseen character in modern gaming. Despite dying before the first scene of God of War (2018), she orchestrated nearly every major event across both Norse-era games. She asked Kratos to cut down the protective ward trees around their home, knowing it would draw Baldur to their doorstep. She marked paths across the realms to guide Kratos and Atreus. She arranged for her ashes to be scattered at the highest peak in the Nine Realms so her family would reach Jotunheim and discover the truth about Atreus’ identity as Loki.
Her backstory is rich with untold potential. She fought a legendary battle against Thor that devastated part of Vanaheim. She led a rebellion against the Aesir. She worked with Tyr for years before his capture by Odin. She received the Leviathan Axe from Brok and Sindri and mastered it in ways that Kratos, who inherited it after her death, never fully replicated. A game focused on her life before Kratos could fill in years of lore that the Norse saga only hinted at.
Community Reaction: Excitement Meets Scepticism
The response from the God of War community has been deeply divided. Supporters point to Cory Barlog’s proven track record. He reinvented the franchise once before with God of War (2018), a game that was initially met with scepticism for abandoning the Greek setting and adopting an over-the-shoulder camera. That gamble resulted in one of the most acclaimed games of its generation.
Critics argue that Faye had roughly 16 minutes of total screen time across the entire Norse saga and that building a full game around a character most players have never controlled is a significant risk. The unconventional companion details (a gelatinous cube, a talking sword named Merlin) have added to the unease for those who prefer the series’ more grounded tone.
Reports suggest Santa Monica Studio views this not as a one-off experiment but as the beginning of a new spin-off franchise within the God of War universe. If that is the case, the June 2 reveal will need to show real gameplay and a compelling vision, not just a title card and a cinematic trailer.
What Else Could Appear at State of Play?
Beyond the God of War Faye spin-off, the June 2 State of Play is rumoured to include several other major announcements:
- Marvel’s Wolverine: Confirmed as the show opener with an extended gameplay look.
- Hogwarts Legacy 2: Widely rumoured, potentially timed alongside the HBO series.
- Infamous: A possible franchise revival, though confidence is lower than with God of War.
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet: Naughty Dog’s sci-fi project first shown at The Game Awards 2024.
- GTA 6: Sony holds a marketing deal with Rockstar, but no guarantee of a showing.
- Persona 6: Supposed first images have been circulating among insiders.
Things Worth Knowing Before the Reveal
Has Sony officially confirmed the God of War Faye spin-off?
No. Sony and Santa Monica Studio have not officially announced this project. All details come from insider leaks and industry reports. However, the consistency and volume of sources (NateTheHate, Tom Henderson, AlexandreNGamR, MP1st, IGN corroboration) make the project’s existence highly probable.
Will Kratos appear in the game?
Kratos is reportedly not the lead, but early reports from FandomWire indicated he would make some form of appearance. Cory Barlog’s stated desire to explore how Faye and Kratos met strongly suggests the Spartan will feature in the story, potentially as a climactic element.
When is the expected release date?
Leaks point to a first-half 2027 release, assuming no delays. The planned 2026 reveal at State of Play would align with a standard marketing timeline of roughly 12 months before launch.
Is this a prequel or a sequel?
Most evidence suggests a prequel set before the events of God of War (2018), focusing on Faye’s life as a warrior, her alliance with Tyr, and her travels across mythologies before she met Kratos. However, some details in God of War Ragnarok hint that Faye’s spirit may not be entirely at rest, leaving open the possibility of non-linear timeline elements.
How different will the combat be from previous God of War games?
Sources describe a shift toward faster, more action-focused combat inspired by Devil May Cry, moving away from the heavier, more grounded style of the Norse saga. Faye’s mastery of the Leviathan Axe and her ice-based powers could translate into a very different gameplay experience than what players had with Kratos.
