11w ago - Sony Blog Manager Fred Dutton has shared a God of War: Ascension PS3 Q & A update below today which takes Kratos to the next level.

To quote: With God of War: Ascension's launch just a few days away now, we sat down with the game's Lead Combat Designer Jason McDonald and Lead Game Designer Mark Simon to find out how they've kept the formula fresh six games into the series, and what challenges the addition of multiplayer presented to the team.

We'll have more insight from Game Director Todd Papy next week before Santa Monica's lean, mean new actioner hits the shelves on March 12th. In the meantime, over to Mark and Jason...

PlayStation.Blog: How difficult is it retro-fitting a prequel story onto the existing God of War trilogy?

Mark Simon: It's kinda nice actually. At the end of God of War 3 Kratos is completely rage-filled. His sole-focus has been figured out. With Ascension, we can go back to a different time period before he was this character.

He has a wider range and you can explain things about him that you didn't know before. You get to find out what turned him into the guy that he is - what makes him snap, and why is it that breaking a bond with a god like Ares does this.

PSB: If I was to plot Kratos' anger on a graph,...

11w ago - Sony Level Designer Andrew Chrysafidis in Santa Monica has revealed some fresh God of War: Ascension: Trial of the Gods PS3 videos today.

Below are the details, to quote: With less than a week until God of War: Ascension launches, it's time to drop the curtain on our fourth Multiplayer mode, Trial of the Gods, and our next God allegiance reveal - the Lord of the Sea, Poseidon.

In Trial of the Gods, the first two-player God of War co-op time trial mode, you and a friend will tag-team with your Champions to face five increasingly hard waves of mythological beasts, whilst surviving against the hourglass of Olympus.

Over 15 types of enemies await you, including Satyrs, Cerberuses, Cyclopes, Gorgons, Juggernauts, and more deadly creatures. You will start with a set amount of time on the clock, and win time back with every beast you slay.





Decimate a wave and you will be granted a Bonus Time Tiered Award (gold, silver, or bronze) based on how fast you cleared the wave. If you die or run out of time, you'll have to start over again. If you reach the end of the fifth round, an epic boss awaits.

At launch, Trial of the Gods will be available in the following maps: Desert of Lost Souls, Forum...

12w ago - Sony Associate Product Marketing Manager Brian Dunn has made available some God of War Unboxed videos today taking a peek inside the Ascension Collector's Edition.

To quote: Whether you're a long-time God of War fan since the game-changing PlayStation 2 original, or have yet to join the legion of Kratos devotees around the world, the long-awaited God of War: Ascension is going to be an unforgettable experience for loyalists and newcomers alike.

And for the true God of War fan, the God of War: Ascension Collector's Edition is destined to be the crown jewel in your game collection come March 12th.

At only $79.99, the Collector's Edition offers a ton of content at a great price. A beautifully crafted 6" statue of Kratos- a one-of-a-kind collectible that won't be sold anywhere else- accompanies a premium Steelbook case with the iconic God of War Omega design.

Also included is a wealth of digital content: an exclusive PS3 dynamic theme, a PSN Avatar pack, a 48-hour multiplayer mode XP boost, and a Season Pass for all future DLC released for the game. Also included is a voucher to download the official game soundtrack featuring Tyler Bates' thrilling score to the game, recorded with a full orchestra and choir at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London.

The Collector's...

12w ago - God of War: Ascension Game Director Todd Papy has shared some videos showcasing the God of War: Ascension single-player demo which hits PSN today.

To quote: Champions! We wait to Ascend. The studio floor is empty and silent. The team that once buzzed with the energy and fervor is now quiet. Full. Satisfied.

The countless souls that once labored deep into the night have been dramatically refreshed with sleep... lots and lots of sleep. You see, the Gods have demanded our creation and now there is little we can do but wait. We must abide together until it is unleashed upon the world on March 12. But waiting is so hard.

What would you give for a glimpse into the future? For a taste of Satyr blood? To unchain Kratos before the world is ready? Would you swear a blood oath to Olympus? Forge a bond with the Gods?

It is a tempting offer...no? Behold the spoils in return for your bond!

We're thrilled to unleash our God of War: Ascension single-player demo to ALL PlayStation Network users later today. Become Kratos and escape the epic Prison of the Damned. God of War: Ascension's demo will allow players to explore and master the legendary Spartan's new advanced combat.





Make your stand...

14w ago - Sony Producer Ariel Lawrence has posted up a video today spotlighting God of War: Ascension on PlayStation 3 in the Mocap Studio below.

To quote: Hello, fellow Spartans! My name is Ariel Lawrence, and I'm a Producer on God of War: Ascension.

No one can argue that Kratos is angry. With everything that's happened to him over the years, he has every right to be. He's killed - either accidentally or intentionally - everyone he's ever cared about.

He's been lied to, chained up, run through, tortured, and cast into the depths of Hades several times. If I was him, I'd be angry too. Our aim in this installment of Kratos' story is to try and show a bit more of his humanity. To do this, we incorporated voice over motion capture, or "vo-mocap", into our cinematic pipeline.

The really exciting part of "vo-mocap" is that it gives our voice actors an opportunity to work together in a scene. Delivery, timing, and efforts all come more naturally because the actors are able to play off of each other. They see how far apart they are from each other physically.

They can watch emotions play out on each other's faces and respond appropriately. They can whisper. The technology we have now is awesome. On the first God of War, we might have been able to show...