Learn more about the origins of this 2D retro adventure, available now on PS5.
Mega Cat Studios achieved a long-held ambition by collaborating with Santa Monica Studio to create God of War Sons of Sparta. This new prequel, now available on PS5, explores the earliest point in the series’ timeline. Players control a young Kratos, a devout Spartan unaware of his demigod heritage, in a story centered on brotherhood and Spartan identity. The game combines retro action-adventure gameplay with a compelling God of War narrative.
James Deighan, Founder and CEO of Mega Cat Studios, and Game Director Zack Manko discussed the game’s title and the studio’s name origins. For the full conversation, listen to the latest Official PlayStation Podcast episode.
Origins of the Collaboration
During leadership retreats, Mega Cat Studios consistently kept God of War at the top of its wishlist for potential collaborations, despite initially considering the probability very low. As the studio developed more games and gained confidence, it decided to pitch an idea for a pixel art prequel. This pitch was accepted, leading to the collaboration with Santa Monica Studio, which was described as a dream come true.
Kratos’ Early Relationship with the Gods
In Sons of Sparta, Kratos is depicted as a young boy, prior to acquiring his god powers and before he knows his true heritage. This portrayal shows a Kratos who is deeply devout, relying on his faith during challenging times. The game features “Gifts of Olympus,” artifacts blessed by the gods, which aid in puzzles, exploration, and combat. This early depiction of a faith-filled Kratos offers a new perspective, especially when considering his later tumultuous relationship with the gods.
Setting the Timeline
The decision to set the game at the earliest point in the series’ timeline stemmed from two main reasons. The initial pitch envisioned a “God of War zero” experience, akin to what might have appeared on the original PlayStation. Santa Monica Studio’s narrative team found Kratos’ formative years as a boy particularly compelling. The events and experiences from this period add significant depth to his character, providing a new lens through which to view the entire saga, including both the Greek and Norse games. Exploring Kratos’ youth in Sons of Sparta reveals influences that resonate with his later actions and even his parenting style with Atreus in the Norse saga.
Meet Mega Cat, the feline the God of War: Sons of Sparta studio is named after.
Origins of the Game and Studio Names
The title God of War Sons of Sparta was chosen to reflect the game’s core themes. It highlights Kratos and Deimos as literal “sons of Sparta” and explores their journey to understand the demands and costs of being Spartan.
The studio’s name, Mega Cat Studios, originated from a beloved pet cat of James Deighan that passed away. After experiencing pet loss, Deighan adopted an aggressive runt from a litter of “bottle babies” (cats cared for by volunteers during shelter overload). This cat was named Mega Cat. When brainstorming company names, “Mega Cat” was added to a list and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from friends, family, and colleagues, eventually becoming the studio’s official name.
God of War Sons of Sparta is available now on PS5.
