The People vs - God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Dana Jan, game director at Ready at Dawn Studios, answers questions from the PlayStation community about the sequel to the 2008 award-winning smash hit PSP game, God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Where does God of War: Ghost of Sparta sit in the God of War series timeline on PlayStation? (Blink2662, United Kingdom)

The story is set after God of War and before God of War II on PlayStation 2.

In God of War on PlayStation 2 there is a cutscene called The Birth of the Beast that focuses on Kratos´ younger brother. Some people thought that this new character would appear in God of War II. If God of War: Ghost of Sparta takes place before God of War II could it be possible we'll see him? (victoruzumaki, United Kingdom)

Yes. We've released some information, including a recent Origins trailer for the game that shows Kratos' younger brother, Deimos. Fans that unlocked and watched that movie from God of War on PlayStation 2 will finally learn what happened to Kratos' brother.

Do you plan on integrating the game with God of War III on PlayStation 3? (addyjones1234, United Kingdom)

We recently announced a Deimos costume [Kratos' brother featured in God of War: Ghost of Sparta] for God of War III when you pre-order the PSP game.

What inspired you as an individual developer to return to the God of War series on PSP? (balpares, France)

For me it was Kratos first and foremost. His ability to destroy anything and everything in his path to get to a singular goal is inspiring. The saga as a whole has great characters and a powerful story of revenge that was set in motion even before the events of God of War on PlayStation 2. We knew that there was one more important piece of Kratos' story that was left untold.

With God of War: Chains of Olympus you set new standards for PSP games. I once read in an interview that Ready at Dawn Studios didn't plan on making another PSP game in the God of War series canon, regardless of success. What made the team change its mind? (CaptainCortez, United Kingdom)

We did a lot of work to make God of War: Chains of Olympus for PSP. We also thought that we had it in us to improve upon it if given the chance. So, it made sense for us to leverage that work and make another God of War game. You, the fans, also wanted more Kratos on PSP, so we were very pleased to get the opportunity to create God of War: Ghost of Sparta.

How did you find it developing on PSP? Were there any difficulties and did you manage to achieve what you wanted to? (Chepunator, Russia)

We have enjoyed our time with PSP. It's certainly challenging to make big games like God of War on a handheld. But, we like a challenge. With God of War: Ghost of Sparta, we've been able to achieve what we wanted to in the God of War universe, and we feel confident to say that we've realized the full potential of the hardware.

How did you manage to create a game with such truly amazing graphics for PSP? (reinaldo90, Portugal)

A ton of hard work from the team is required to make a game shine this bright on PSP. I think that's the secret. Having a series that puts the main character in fantastic settings helps, and having a team of individuals dedicated to delivering the most amazing looking handheld game doesn't hurt either.

How long will it take for someone to play through God of War: Ghost of Sparta from start to finish? (Spurvugle, Norway)

It varies from person to person based on playing style and skill. Overall, we can assure you that the game is longer than God of War: Chains of Olympus.

Will there be more boss battles compared to God of War: Chains of Olympus? (Xx-Beno57-xX, France)

There are more, and better, bosses than God of War: Chains of Olympus. The fights are bigger, some of them are physically bigger, and the way Kratos finishes off each of them is much bigger than anything we did in Chains of Olympus.

Are you able to give us any hints as to which Greek legends we'll meet over the course of the story? (Tobi1989, Poland)

I think listing them out here would spoil the experience, so I'd prefer to let people meet the characters while they're playing the game.

Will the game include additional challenges, such as the Challenge of Hades in God of War: Chains of Olympus? (Uncharted90, Poland)

Yes. There are a lot more challenges in this game than our last offering. We also enjoy them. Beat the game to start your path to unlocking all the treasures we've packed into God of War: Ghost of Sparta.