God of War Studio Fake News Exposed: Real Santa Monica Facts 2026

Is Santa Monica Studio really developing a new ambitious game beyond God of War? While recent viral posts claimed Cory Barlog confirmed reveal plans for a technically ambitious new project, Sony has officially confirmed these announcements came from a fake Facebook account not associated with the studio or its creative director.

In this comprehensive investigation, I’ll share everything I’ve uncovered about Santa Monica Studio’s actual development status, including verified insider reports, legitimate development hints from official sources, and what we can realistically expect from the studio that gave us one of PlayStation’s most celebrated franchises.

Information Type	Verification Status	Reliability
Fake Facebook Announcement	Debunked by Sony	Zero – Confirmed Fake
Jason Schreier Reports	Industry Insider	Very High
Official Twitter Hints	Verified Accounts	High
LinkedIn Job Postings	Primary Sources	High

The Fake News That Fooled Gaming Media

On August 18, 2026, gaming news sites began reporting that Cory Barlog had confirmed reveal plans for Santa Monica Studio’s new “technically ambitious” game. The supposed announcement came from what appeared to be Barlog’s Facebook account, claiming the project had been in development for years and would potentially be revealed later in 2026. Within hours, the story had spread across major gaming outlets including Game Rant, Kotaku, and The Gamer.

However, there was one massive problem: the Facebook account was completely fake. Sony quickly stepped in with an official statement confirming that the account was not associated with Cory Barlog or Santa Monica Studio in any way. This revelation left many of us in the gaming community wondering how such obvious misinformation could spread so rapidly through professional gaming media.

From my experience covering gaming news for years, I’ve seen how the pressure to break stories first can sometimes override proper verification protocols. The fake announcement was crafted cleverly – it contained just enough plausible details to seem legitimate while being vague enough to avoid immediate red flags. The mention of “technical ambition” aligned with Santa Monica’s reputation for pushing PlayStation hardware to its limits, and the timeline of “years in development” matched what we’d expect for a AAA studio project.

Why the Fake News Spread So Quickly?

The rapid spread of this misinformation reveals several issues in modern gaming journalism. First, many outlets rely heavily on social media for breaking news without adequate verification processes. Second, the gaming community’s hunger for information about highly anticipated projects creates an environment where rumors can flourish. Third, once one major outlet reports something, others often follow suit without independent verification, creating an echo chamber effect.

I’ve learned to always cross-reference announcements with official channels before accepting them as fact. In this case, several red flags should have been apparent: Cory Barlog rarely uses Facebook for major announcements, preferring Twitter for professional updates. Additionally, major studio announcements typically come through official PlayStation or Santa Monica Studio channels first, not personal social media accounts.

What We Actually Know: Verified Information Only

Now that we’ve cleared up the misinformation, let’s focus on what legitimate sources have revealed about Santa Monica Studio’s next project. While we don’t have an official announcement yet, there’s substantial evidence from credible sources that the studio is indeed working on something significant beyond God of War.

Jason Schreier’s Industry Insider Reports

Jason Schreier, Bloomberg’s gaming industry reporter with an impeccable track record for accurate insider information, has provided several updates about Santa Monica’s next project. In July 2026, Schreier posted on ResetEra that “Cory Barlog’s game is SSM’s next big thing,” adding that as of his last conversation about it “a month or two ago, it was going well.”

Earlier in 2026, Schreier also clarified some misconceptions about the project’s nature. Contrary to widespread speculation about a sci-fi game, he stated: “It’s not a new IP but it might feel like one.” This cryptic comment has led to intense speculation in the gaming community. Could it be a radical reimagining of an existing PlayStation franchise? A spin-off that dramatically departs from its source material? The ambiguity is tantalizing.

From my perspective, Schreier’s track record makes his reports highly credible. He correctly predicted numerous gaming industry developments, including Fallout 76’s online nature, Anthem’s troubled development, and various studio acquisitions. When he shares information about a project, it’s worth paying attention.

Official Development Hints from Cory Barlog’s Verified Twitter

While the Facebook announcement was fake, Cory Barlog has dropped legitimate hints about his work through his verified Twitter account. In March 2024, he tweeted: “seeing some early things coming together on this thing I am working on right now and GOD DAMN the people I get to work with at @SonySantaMonica are just fucking beyond brilliant.”

Later, in August 2024, Barlog posted a photo at Santa Monica Studio with the caption: “After ages in the wilds of the badlands, I return to the mothership to cause chaos.” These posts, while cryptic, confirm that he’s actively working on something at the studio that has him genuinely excited.

I find Barlog’s enthusiasm particularly telling. Having followed his career since the original God of War, I’ve noticed he tends to be most vocal when he’s genuinely passionate about a project. His use of terms like “beyond brilliant” and the reference to “causing chaos” suggests something creatively ambitious rather than a simple sequel or safe project.

LinkedIn Evidence and Hiring Patterns

Professional networking sites have provided additional clues about Santa Monica’s activities. Several Santa Monica Studio employees have updated their LinkedIn profiles with references to working on an “unannounced project” or “new IP.” While we should take the “new IP” claims with caution given Schreier’s comments, the pattern of hiring and role descriptions provides valuable insights.

The studio has been actively recruiting for positions that suggest a large-scale production, including character supervisors, gameplay programmers, and narrative designers. The job descriptions often emphasize innovation and technical excellence, aligning with the studio’s reputation for pushing boundaries. From my analysis of similar hiring patterns at other AAA studios, this level of recruitment typically indicates a project well into pre-production or early production phases.

Santa Monica Studio’s Development History: A Pattern of Excellence

To understand what Santa Monica Studio might be working on, it’s helpful to examine their development history and creative patterns. The studio has consistently delivered some of PlayStation’s most technically impressive and critically acclaimed titles, but their journey hasn’t been limited to God of War.

Beyond Kratos: The Studio’s Diverse Portfolio

While Santa Monica Studio is best known for God of War, they’ve actually worked on various projects throughout their history. They’ve served as an external development partner for games like Journey, The Order: 1886, and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. This collaborative experience has exposed the studio to diverse genres and development approaches, potentially influencing their next internal project. This versatility in action RPG development could inform their approach to new IPs.

I remember being surprised when I first learned about Santa Monica’s involvement in Journey. The contrast between that meditative, artistic experience and the brutal combat of God of War demonstrated the studio’s versatility. This breadth of experience suggests they’re capable of surprising us with something completely unexpected.

The Cancelled Internal-7 Project

Not all of Santa Monica’s ambitious projects have seen the light of day. The studio famously cancelled a sci-fi IP called Internal-7 in 2014, which was reportedly led by Stig Asmussen (who later directed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at Respawn). The cancellation reportedly cost Sony millions and led to significant layoffs at the studio.

This history is relevant because it shows both the studio’s willingness to take creative risks and Sony’s occasional reluctance to see them through. The success of 2018’s God of War reboot, which dramatically reimagined the franchise, likely earned the studio significant creative freedom for their next project. Having proven they can successfully reinvent even their most established franchise, Santa Monica has probably been given more latitude to pursue ambitious ideas.

The God of War Renaissance

The 2018 God of War reboot and its sequel, Ragnarök, represent one of gaming’s most successful franchise reinventions. The games shifted from Greek to Norse mythology, transformed the combat system, introduced a continuous camera technique, and reimagined Kratos as a complex father figure. Combined sales exceeded 30 million units, making it one of PlayStation’s most valuable properties.

From my extensive time with both games, I was struck by how confidently Santa Monica Studio executed such dramatic changes. They didn’t just tweak the formula; they fundamentally reimagined what a God of War game could be while maintaining the series’ core identity. This creative confidence likely extends to whatever they’re working on next.

The Challenge of Creating New IPs at AAA Studios

If Santa Monica Studio is indeed working on something that “might feel like” a new IP, they face significant challenges common to all AAA studios attempting to launch new franchises in today’s gaming landscape.

The Economics of New IP Development

Creating new intellectual property at the AAA level requires massive investment with uncertain returns. Development costs for modern AAA games routinely exceed $100 million, with marketing budgets often matching or exceeding development costs. For context, when I look at recent new IP launches, games like Horizon Zero Dawn or Ghost of Tsushima required years of development and enormous financial backing from Sony. Players increasingly expect comprehensive experiences, from diverse gaming libraries to innovative gameplay mechanics.

The risk is particularly acute for studios known for specific franchises. Santa Monica Studio’s reputation is so closely tied to God of War that any new project will inevitably be compared to that series’ critical and commercial success. This creates pressure to deliver something equally impressive while also being distinctly different – a challenging balance to strike.

The Technical Ambition Challenge

Modern PlayStation exclusive games are expected to showcase the platform’s technical capabilities. Santa Monica Studio has consistently delivered some of the most visually impressive games on PlayStation hardware, from God of War III’s epic scale on PS3 to Ragnarök’s stunning environments on PS5. Any new project will need to meet or exceed these technical standards.

Based on my experience with current-generation development, achieving this level of technical excellence while also innovating in gameplay and narrative requires enormous resources and time. The “technical ambition” mentioned in the fake announcement, while fabricated, likely reflects real expectations for whatever the studio produces next.

Building New Worlds and Characters

One of the biggest challenges in creating new IP is establishing characters and worlds that resonate with players. God of War had decades to build Kratos into one of gaming’s most iconic gaming characters. Creating new characters with similar appeal requires exceptional writing, design, and marketing.

I’ve watched many talented studios struggle with this challenge. Even successful new IPs often take multiple entries to fully establish their identity. Horizon Zero Dawn, for example, was well-received but really found its footing with Forbidden West. Santa Monica Studio will need patience from both Sony and players if they’re building something entirely new.

Industry Context: PlayStation’s First-Party Strategy

Understanding Santa Monica Studio’s next project requires considering Sony’s broader first-party strategy and how the studio fits within PlayStation’s portfolio.

The Push for Service Games and Multiplayer

Sony has publicly committed to expanding beyond traditional single-player experiences, investing heavily in service games and multiplayer gaming experiences. Studios like Naughty Dog, Guerrilla Games, and Haven Studios are all developing multiplayer or service-based projects. Could Santa Monica’s next project follow this trend?

From what I’ve observed, Santa Monica Studio’s DNA seems firmly rooted in crafted, narrative-driven experiences. While they might incorporate online elements, a full pivot to service gaming seems unlikely given their strengths and track record. However, the industry pressure toward recurring revenue models might influence some aspect of their new project.

The Importance of Platform Exclusives

PlayStation’s strategy increasingly relies on tentpole exclusive games to differentiate the platform and drive hardware sales. With Xbox’s aggressive acquisition strategy and Nintendo’s continued success with the Switch, Sony needs its first-party studios to deliver system-selling experiences.

Santa Monica Studio occupies a crucial position in this strategy. They’ve proven capable of creating games that define PlayStation generations. Whatever they’re working on next will likely be positioned as a major exclusive, potentially serving as a showcase for PS5 Pro or even early PS6 capabilities depending on its timeline. The studio’s technical expertise positions them perfectly to create games that could rival cutting-edge action RPG experiences from other developers.

Timeline Analysis: When Could We See an Official Reveal?

Based on legitimate information and industry patterns, when might we actually see Santa Monica’s next project revealed?

Development Timeline Indicators

God of War Ragnarök released in November 2022, meaning the studio has had nearly three years for pre-production and early development on their next project. However, AAA development cycles typically span 4-6 years for new IPs or significant departures from established formulas.

Cory Barlog’s March 2024 tweet about “early things coming together” suggests the project was still in relatively early stages last year. If we assume a 5-year development cycle starting after Ragnarök’s completion, we might not see a release until 2026 or 2027. However, reveals typically happen 1-2 years before release for major PlayStation exclusives.

PlayStation Showcase Opportunities

Sony typically reveals major first-party projects at PlayStation Showcases, State of Play events, or occasionally at The Game Awards. Given the pattern of recent years, a late 2026 or early 2026 reveal seems plausible if development is progressing well.

I’ve noticed Sony has become more strategic about reveals in recent years, often waiting until games are relatively close to release to avoid long marketing cycles. If Santa Monica follows this pattern, we might not see anything until the game is within 12-18 months of launch.

Industry Events and Timing Considerations

The gaming industry calendar provides several potential reveal windows. The Game Awards in December, PlayStation’s typical May/June showcase window, and September State of Play events all represent opportunities for major announcements.

From my analysis of PlayStation’s reveal patterns, they tend to save their biggest announcements for dedicated showcases rather than industry events. A new project from Santa Monica Studio would certainly warrant headline status at a PlayStation Showcase, suggesting that’s the most likely venue for an eventual reveal.

What This Means for PlayStation Gamers?

While the fake announcement was disappointing, the legitimate evidence suggests Santa Monica Studio is indeed working on something significant. For PlayStation gamers, this represents both exciting possibilities and the need for patience.

Managing Expectations

The danger of fake announcements and rampant speculation is that they can create unrealistic expectations. Whatever Santa Monica is working on, it’s important to judge it on its own merits rather than against imagined possibilities. The studio’s track record suggests they’ll deliver something special, but it might not be what anyone expects.

I’ve learned from following game development for years that the most successful new projects often surprise us by being different from our expectations. The 2018 God of War succeeded partly because nobody anticipated such a dramatic reinvention. Santa Monica’s next project might similarly subvert expectations.

The Value of Patience

Modern AAA game development takes time, and rushing projects rarely produces good results. While we’re all eager to see what Santa Monica Studio is creating, giving them the time to fully realize their vision is crucial. The wait for official information can be frustrating, but it’s preferable to premature reveals that set incorrect expectations.

From my perspective, the best approach is to appreciate the games we have while remaining cautiously optimistic about what’s coming. Santa Monica Studio has earned our trust through consistent excellence, and that trust should extend to giving them space to create without pressure from fake deadlines or manufactured hype.

Learning from the Misinformation

The fake Cory Barlog announcement serves as an important reminder about media literacy in gaming journalism and the importance of verification.

Red Flags to Watch For

Several warning signs should have prevented this story from spreading:

• Unusual announcement platforms (Facebook vs. Twitter for Barlog)
• Lack of corroboration from official studio channels
• Vague language that could apply to any project
• No accompanying media or specific details
• Timing that doesn’t align with typical announcement patterns

I always recommend checking multiple sources and looking for official verification before accepting gaming news as fact. In this connected age, it’s easy for false information to spread rapidly, but it’s equally easy to verify through official channels.

The Responsibility of Gaming Media

This incident highlights the need for better verification standards in gaming journalism. The race to be first with breaking news shouldn’t override basic fact-checking procedures. Outlets that reported the fake announcement without verification did a disservice to their readers and contributed to spreading misinformation.

As someone who consumes and analyzes gaming news daily, I believe we need higher standards across the board. Readers deserve accurate information, and developers deserve to have their projects represented truthfully, not through the lens of fake announcements or unfounded speculation.

What’s Really Next for Santa Monica Studio

Based on all legitimate evidence, here’s what we can reasonably conclude about Santa Monica Studio’s next project:

Confirmed Facts

• The studio is actively working on a significant project led by Cory Barlog
• Development has been ongoing for at least two years
• The project has industry insiders like Jason Schreier expressing confidence
• It may not be entirely new IP but could “feel like one”
• The team is excited about the creative direction

Reasonable Speculation

• The project likely targets PS5 exclusively or as the lead platform
• Development timeline suggests a 2026-2027 release window
• The scope appears to be AAA, matching or exceeding God of War’s ambition
• Technical innovation will be a key component
• The reveal will likely come at a dedicated PlayStation event

What Remains Unknown

• The specific genre or gameplay style
• Whether it connects to existing PlayStation IP
• The setting, characters, and narrative focus
• Potential multiplayer or service elements
• The exact reveal timeline

The Future of PlayStation’s Premiere Studios

Santa Monica Studio represents something special in PlayStation’s first-party lineup. They’ve consistently delivered experiences that define PlayStation platforms, from the original God of War on PS2 to Ragnarök on PS5. Whatever they’re working on next carries the weight of those expectations.

The fake announcement, while unfortunate, demonstrates the intense interest in the studio’s next project. Gamers are hungry for new experiences from developers they trust, and Santa Monica has earned that trust through decades of excellence. When they’re ready to reveal their next project – through legitimate channels – it will undoubtedly be one of gaming’s biggest moments.

For now, we wait with informed patience, separating fact from fiction and appreciating the creative process that goes into making truly special games. The real announcement, when it comes, will be worth the wait. Based on Santa Monica Studio’s track record and the legitimate hints we’ve received, I’m confident they’re crafting something that will once again push the boundaries of what’s possible in interactive entertainment.

As we continue to follow this story, remember to verify information through official sources, be skeptical of surprising claims from unverified accounts, and support quality journalism that prioritizes accuracy over speed. The gaming industry thrives on excitement and anticipation, but it’s crucial that we build that excitement on a foundation of truth rather than misinformation.

Santa Monica Studio’s next chapter is being written right now, behind closed doors and verified Twitter accounts. When they’re ready to share it with us – really ready, not through fake Facebook posts – I have no doubt it will be something special. Until then, I’ll keep following the legitimate breadcrumbs and sharing verified information as it becomes available. The truth, as always, is more interesting than fiction, especially when it comes from one of gaming’s most talented studios.