New leaks reveal that Bluepoint Games, famous for remaking classics like Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls, was developing a live-service God of War title for the PlayStation 5. The project was canceled sometime ago, as part of the silent cancellation of another Game-as-a-Service title from Bend Studio (the studio that developed Days Gone). Recently, the anticipated title was leaked via screenshots posted by MP1ST.
The screenshots illustrate large worlds based on the series' initial Greek mythology timeline, indicating that the studio aimed to return to the franchise's roots. Among the released visuals are expansive open spaces to accommodate more than one player, cosmetic assets such as amphorae and pots, and an elaborate location called Hades' Armory, which allegedly changed its look when ‘cursed.’ These expansive, dynamic spaces suggest that the game would have accommodated co-op or multiplayer roaming in the mythic world.
Back in February, a Bloomberg report said Sony canceled Bluepoint's God of War live-service game and Bend Studio's yet-to-be-announced multiplayer game after an internal review. Part of a deeper review of Sony's live-service plan, the move was an effort to cap the number of live-service games in development. Though Sony canceled those projects, it insisted that it would continue to back both studios, allowing them to turn around to new projects with little disruption.
Bluepoint's recent hiring ads hint at the studio going back to what they do best: highly refined, single-player titles. The company is recruiting developers who have experience with ‘third-person melee action’ games, meaning its next game will probably be all about cinematic combat and boss battles and not live-service.
Although the scrapped God of War multiplayer project offers an interesting look at what could have been, Bluepoint Games' renewed focus on single-player action may better play to its strengths. Fans have something to look forward to in the studio's next game, perhaps within yet another mythological setting with the kind of rich storytelling and polished gameplay it's known for.
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