Rumored God of War Prequel Delayed to 2026, Explains Absence from State of Play
A highly anticipated God of War prequel project that was rumored to debut at the recent PlayStation State of Play showcase may have just hit a major delay. According to industry insider Jeff Grubb, the game reportedly a smaller-scale Metroidvania set in the Greek mythological era and starring Kratos’ brother Deimos has now been pushed into 2026.
This revelation helps explain why the game, which many fans expected to be unveiled during PlayStation's June showcase, was completely absent.
Insider Confirms Internal Delay
Speaking on the June 17 episode of The Last of the Nintendogs podcast, Grubb said:
"I have Marathon and the unannounced new God of War Greek project, which I heard was pushed into 2026 as well.”
Although the prequel title has yet to be officially announced by Sony or Santa Monica Studio, rumors have been circulating for months about a new God of War game being in development, with credible leaks suggesting a Metroidvania-inspired direction. The decision to skip the State of Play, while disappointing, makes sense given the alleged shift in its release window.
What We Know (and Don’t Know)
According to rumors, the prequel will be set in the Greek era of the God of War timeline and center around Deimos, Kratos’ younger brother. Unlike the mainline entries, this game is reportedly smaller in scale and might explore more intimate, exploratory gameplay reminiscent of the Metroidvania genre.
If true, it would mark a rare moment of experimentation for a franchise long defined by its cinematic, action-heavy formula. While some fans might be skeptical of the pivot, others are excited to revisit the mythos of ancient Greece through the eyes of a lesser-known but emotionally complex character.
It's worth noting that Deimos has appeared before in God of War: Ghost of Sparta but has never taken center stage in a full-length console game.
A Strategic Delay?
Though some fans were hoping for a late 2025 release, pushing the title to 2026 might be a strategic decision. With Marathon, Fairgame$, and other PlayStation Studios projects already stacking the 2025 slate, it’s possible Sony is spacing out its portfolio. Given the title’s rumored smaller scope, it may also need more development polish before it’s ready to make a public debut.
There’s also the simple reality that the game has never been officially revealed so Sony can afford to delay internally without backlash. Still, fans who had been hoping to finally see confirmation at State of Play were left disappointed.
What’s Next for God of War?
While Santa Monica Studio remains quiet on its next official project, the future of God of War seems anything but idle. After the massive success of God of War Ragnarök, it’s likely the studio is planning multiple projects within the franchise this rumored prequel may be just the start of a broader expansion of the universe.
Until we hear more from PlayStation directly, take the rumors with a grain of salt but if Grubb’s track record holds, don’t expect Deimos to step into the spotlight until 2026 at the earliest.
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