God of War Studio Working on its ‘Next Big Franchise’

Sony Santa Monica is currently developing its "next big franchise" according to Sony Computer Entertainment America boss Shawn Layden. 

During an interview with Gamesbeat in which Layden discussed online harassment and women in games, the executive remarked "In the development group we have Shannon Studstill, who runs our whole Santa Monica operation. She's going to bring the next big franchise out from there."

Sony has yet to reveal Santa Monica's next game, but the studio is presently helping The Chinese Room with Everybody's Gone to the Rapture and assisting Ready at Dawn with The Order:1886.

The developer was believed to be developing a sci-fi game which is thought to have been cancelled following the departure of God of War 3 director Stig Asmusson earlier this year. Battlestar Galactica writer Michael Angeli was working on the game. 

Studstill previously served as a producer on God of War and director of production on God of War 2, Warhawk, and Twisted Metal: Head On before becoming head of Santa Monica Studios. Earlier this year the developer moved location in LA, and Studstill commented at the time that Santa Monica now has "more to offer". 

While the studio's 150 staff may be working on a new IP, sci-fi or otherwise, it seems unlikely Kratos won't make a PS4 debut at some point.