The God of War franchise, a groundbreaking action-adventure series created by David Jaffe at Sony’s Santa Monica Studio, has become one of the most iconic in the gaming world. Since its debut in 2005 on the PlayStation 2, the series has evolved across multiple platforms, with ten games released and an eleventh currently in development.
The story centers on Kratos, a Spartan warrior who becomes the God of War after being tricked into killing his own family by Ares, the Greek God of War. This tragedy sets off a series of epic events that lead Kratos into battles with various pantheons of gods.
The franchise is split into two distinct eras. The Greek era, which spans the main trilogy (God of War 2005, God of War II 2007, God of War III 2010), follows Kratos’ quest for vengeance against the Olympian Gods. The Norse era, which begins with God of War (2018), introduces his son Atreus as a secondary protagonist and focuses on Kratos’ journey toward redemption, ultimately leading to conflict with the Norse Gods.
Santa Monica Studio developed all the main entries, while additional studios, including Ready at Dawn and Javaground/Sony Online Entertainment-Los Angeles, contributed to the side games. The franchise has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Game of the Year honors for its 2005 and 2018 installments. As of November 2020, God of War has sold over 51 million copies worldwide, with strong sales contributing to its expansion into comic books, novels, and merchandise, including a heavy metal album inspired by the series.
Now, God of War is making its way to the small screen with a live-action adaptation, set for release in 2025. Featuring Dwayne Johnson as Kratos, this new series promises to bring the intense action, deep storytelling, and rich mythology of the video games to life. Fans can expect a visually stunning and emotionally charged interpretation of Kratos’ journey, filled with epic battles, intricate character development, and the gripping exploration of father-son dynamics with Atreus. The live-action series is sure to capture the spirit of the games while offering a fresh perspective on the legendary warrior’s saga.
