Ghost of Sparta's Greek Getaway: The Cancelled God of War Multiplayer That Almost Was (And What It Means for a Remake)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Leaked development screenshots from a cancelled God of War multiplayer game by Bluepoint Games reveal it would have returned to Ancient Greece, featuring Hades and a sinister corrupted armory, sparking speculation that these assets could now be repurposed for a remake of the original God of War.
Right then, mate, ever get that feeling like you've just blinked and missed an entire alternate gaming timeline? Because apparently, while we were all busy trying to figure out if our NFTs would actually let us own digital property, Bluepoint Games was off secretly cooking up a God of War multiplayer title that never saw the light of day. And bloody hell, the leaks are starting to spill like a potions cauldron with a crack in it.
Polygon, bless their cotton socks, along with some snaps obtained by MP1st, has given us a peek behind the curtain at what *could have been*. Turns out, PlayStation had two first-party titles on the chopping block earlier this year, and one was indeed a GoW multiplayer gig from the master remakers themselves, Bluepoint. Big thanks to Claire Lewis over at Polygon for digging up these juicy details!
And what a gig it would have been! We're talking a full-on return to Kratos's original stomping grounds: Ancient Greece. The screenshots are littered with the kind of stuff you'd expect – majestic Greek temples, classical statues looking all stoic, pottery that probably contained some serious ambrosia, and an armory just bursting with shields, swords, and spears. Fair dinkum, it looked the part, ready for some proper Spartan shenanigans.
But here's where it gets interesting, eh? Apparently, Hades, the god of the underworld himself, was set to be a major player. Imagine him, strutting around, probably owning that swanky armory and all those sulfur pools in the caves. Now, if you've played *God of War III*, you'll know Hades had a bit of a... *permanent vacation* in that one. So, this multiplayer romp would have to be set before Kratos decided to redecorate Olympus, wouldn't it? A prequel? A parallel dimension where Kratos was just too busy to off everyone?
Even more intriguing, they were toying with *two* versions of said armory. One looked like your standard Spartan IKEA, but the other? Oh, that one sounds like a digital nightmare. Corroded walls, weird red tendrils poking out of the marble floor – giving off some serious *Silent Hill*-meets-Lovecraft vibes. Like a spell gone horribly wrong, transforming reality itself. Makes you wonder what sort of narrative madness they were planning – a slow corruption, perhaps, tied to the plot?
Now, here's the kicker, and this is where my wizardly tea leaves get a bit cloudy. Bluepoint, as we know, are absolute magicians when it comes to remakes (*Shadow of the Colossus*, *Demon's Souls* – chef's kiss). And they've recently posted a job listing for a senior combat designer. So, with all these lovingly crafted Ancient Greek assets just sitting there, ripe for the picking, are they perhaps, just perhaps, using them for a remake of the *original* God of War? Talk about digital recycling! It's pure speculation, of course, but after seeing those assets, I wouldn't put it past 'em. Cautiously optimistic, I reckon. It certainly makes more sense than letting all that gorgeous detail gather digital dust.
Either way, it's a fascinating glimpse into the gaming industry's cutting room floor. What do you reckon, mate? Would you have jumped into a GoW multiplayer, or are you holding out for a lovingly polished remake of Kratos's first bloody rampage through Greece? The digital ether holds many secrets, that's for sure.
Tags: God of War, Bluepoint Games, Game Development, Leaks, PlayStation
Original article: Polygon