Sony Santa Monica Studio Job Listing Points To New God Of War Game – PlayStation Universe
Santa Monica Studio has posted a new position that strongly hints at the next chapter in the God of War saga. The opening for a Senior Combat Designer outlines responsibilities and preferred experience that line up closely with the series’ hallmark blend of third-person melee action and enemy-focused encounter design.
What the role reveals
The listing describes a hands-on design position that guides characters and enemies from early concept to fully playable implementation. The designer would partner across multiple disciplines—animation, level design, character art, encounter design, and visual development—to ensure that combatants, movesets, and scenarios come together as a polished whole.
Crucially, candidates are expected to bring deep expertise in building and tuning combat systems, mechanics, and adversaries for third-person melee action RPGs. Preferred candidates are those familiar with the combat philosophies and enemy design of the most recent entries in the franchise, signaling a desire to build upon the modern God of War formula.
Reading between the lines
Job postings often double as subtle roadmaps for where a studio is headed. In this case, the emphasis on close-quarters melee systems, enemy behavior, and cross-team integration sounds tailor-made for a project in the God of War wheelhouse. While the listing stops short of naming a specific title, the dots are easy to connect.
Spin-off whispers and broader plans
Separate chatter around the studio has suggested that a related project—possibly a side story set in Greece—has been explored. That notion remains unverified, but it aligns with the idea of Santa Monica Studio expanding the series’ universe beyond the core saga.
In parallel, studio leadership has publicly stated that a completely new and technically ambitious IP is also in development. Combined with ongoing hiring, it supports persistent reports that multiple unannounced projects are moving forward inside the studio.
Why this matters for fans
- Combat-forward focus: The role centers on the systems and enemies that define moment-to-moment gameplay, suggesting the next project will push timing, responsiveness, and encounter variety even further.
- Continuity with evolution: Preferred familiarity with recent entries points to an evolution rather than a reset, maintaining the series’ modern identity while leaving room for fresh mechanics and enemy archetypes.
- Multiple irons in the fire: With a new IP also underway, Santa Monica Studio appears to be balancing franchise stewardship with bold experimentation.
Bottom line
Nothing has been officially announced, but the Senior Combat Designer listing is a clear signal that Santa Monica Studio is gearing up for more god-slaying action. Whether it’s a direct follow-up, a spin-off, or both, the studio’s next steps look set to deepen the combat craft that made its recent games so acclaimed—while another ambitious IP takes shape alongside it.
