Cory Barlog talks leaving Sony, God of War III

  • By Emma_UK, GameSpot
  • Posted Jan 4, 2008 6:59 am PT

Back in November, Sony confirmed that God of War III was in exclusive development for the PlayStation 3 and announced the shock news that game director Cory Barlog had left the company.His abrupt adieu was shrouded in mystery, although the God of War I and II director has now spoken a little about...

Back in November, Sony confirmed that God of War III was in exclusive development for the PlayStation 3 and announced the shock news that game director Cory Barlog had left the company.

His abrupt adieu was shrouded in mystery, although the God of War I and II director has now spoken a little about it on his personal blog. He writes, "For me, the whole departure from Sony was not exactly the ideal route that I wanted to go, but in the end I think it is the absolute best thing I could ever have done."

Barlog also reveals that he is currently working on several projects, although "I am not going to go into any specifics as to what it is I am working on now, which sucks, but I can say that I am cooking up several things...I thought I would have more to talk about by now, but things are just not quite ready so I will be updating on specifics as they become more solid."

He then assures gamers that despite the fact that he is no longer involved in the God of War series, the game is sure to rock. He comments, "I know for some God of War fans out there it might be a bummer that I am not working on God of War III...but rest assured that it is all in good hands. The Sony Santa Monica team is one of the best teams I have ever worked with." Barlog had also already put in some work on the game, as work started on it as soon as the second title had been finished.

He concludes, "I wish I could have been there to see it through to the end, but it was just not meant to be I guess. The story is going to finish off with a very big, very epic bang though. I think everyone will be quite pleased."

133 Comments

  • demonfox13

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 12:52 am PT

    @ Azhar85, I know your post is old but still shows some stupidity and ignorance in your part. GoW isn't the only game worthwhile on the ps3. You got older titles like MGS4 and LBP, then you move up to KZ2, Uncharted 1 and 2, Demon's Souls and the re-released and remastered GoW collection which was nicely touched up and made to play at a constant 60fps at 720p.....the same cannot be said for the "amazing" halo 3 and halo ODST which are at 640p.....talk about subpar lol. It's ok, GoW 3 coming in a few months along with MAG, FFXIII all in about the same month. Then waiting for FF vs XIII which as of now is still an exclusive to PS3. k thnx

  • DanBoiani

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 9:41 pm PT

    Barlog's departure should come as no surprise to anyone following this story. His ego has been known to enter a room 30 minutes before he does, and his greed for more money to direct this game was almost legendary. At some point you have to put your foot down and say, "Pal, you aren't bigger than the game, so good luck and good bye." Lots of talented people worked on GoW 1 and 2, and are still there. The PS3 game will be just fine without Barlog. Besides, he was working on outside projects on company time too long anyway. Good riddance.

  • Rannix88

    Posted Mar 16, 2008 3:54 pm PT

    Well, knowing Sony's history of ruining great games (everquest, everquest 2, vanguard, and just about any other game they end up touching), they are going to rush GoW3 and end up ruining the series, sorry, but Xbox 360 just seems like a gaming system rather than a hole to throw your money down(PS3). Sorry sony, but youve screwed far too many games for me to trust you anymore.

  • AweWiiGamer1

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:01 am PT

    Oh, no he's leaving! Oh, well, we all like to do different things sometimes, eh? As a die-hard fan of the God Of War franchise, God of War III on PS3 will rock, thanks to Sony's high-breach technology of the system. What will do Kratos do now? ??

  • BMG13

    Posted Feb 2, 2008 4:11 am PT

    It's bad to see one of the world's best producers giving up the best serie I have ever seen. I hope that the GoW III will be the best game of the entire serie. GOOD LUCK BARLOG!!!

  • _SMYLEY_

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 6:04 pm PT

    good luck man, gowII was as best a sequel as we could have hoped for, i just feel bad you wont see it all the way through. you rocked man and i cant wait to see some other stuff you do

  • creepster32000

    Posted Jan 14, 2008 5:59 am PT

    Sorry to see u go Cory and i loved the GOW 1 and 2 and i know they will put all the hard work in to #3 as they can it will not be the same with u

  • 345669

    Posted Jan 8, 2008 12:44 am PT

    Nice, Hopefully it will live up to ur reputation, Thnx for the fantastic 'God of War' series I'd definitely would like more info on your current projects please...

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 10:46 pm PT

    I just purchased a 46 Sony 1080p Bravia LCD and am seriously thinking of pickin up a PS3 simply for the Blue-ray player. I mean, look at the prices of a standard blue-ray player compared to the PS3. I'm sure the A+ titles will be coming soon for Sony's console and for 399 its a real bargain. Does anyone know which would be a better or smarter purchase, a PS3 or HD-DVD drive for my 360?

  • adarkervision

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 10:27 pm PT

    He can't "take the game with him" you meatheads. He only directed God of War II. David Jaffe directed the first game, and was instrumental in the series' design. Barlog took over when Jaffe left, someone else will take over for Barlog. It is the circle of life. In the end the franchise belongs to Sony.

  • jusmurph

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    I will be getting this game, though as i had no PS2, it will be my entry into the series...

  • Azhar85

    Posted Jan 7, 2008 4:15 am PT

    this will make sure the series will coming out very very late..pity 4 u sony fanboys..

  • valcrist09

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 9:59 pm PT

    Well done on GOW 1 and 2, and hope you enjoy where ever you go!!! Please make sure you left GOW 3 in better hands then you say it is in !!!!!

  • crossdx

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:33 pm PT

    Barlog, thanks for the fantastic job on the first two GoWs. Good luck in your future projects.

  • LPH79

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 12:21 pm PT

    I wish you the best of luck, Barlog in what every you will be doing in the future. I'm also happy to here that God of War 3 is doing good.

  • rockutd

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 8:33 am PT

    I dunno about GOW III ,i have played GOW but have been a fan of the game...

  • taino1128

    Posted Jan 6, 2008 5:41 am PT

    it doesnt matter for me 'cause i'm not getting PS3

  • LittleYoshi

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 8:53 pm PT

    Wakasenshi: "i wonder if his next project is a new PS3 game!!! but my guess would be no..."

    It is going to be a PS3 game if he joins that new game company that the people who lefted are making to start fresh and to aid Sony's PS3 even more.

  • TheBlaklyon

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 8:29 pm PT

    I wonder how many people will get a PS3 now that GOW 3 will be for it? And how many people will sell there PS3's after about 3 months or so when the have become tired of the game? I might get GOW 3 just as a collectors Item!

  • dynomitemasta

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 6:21 pm PT

    I don't know, . . . it's like the Beatles putting out an album without John, Paul and George, . . leaving Ringo to write produce and play the album himself, . . it will, . . be, . . . different

  • Mafiaboss21st

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 6:17 pm PT

    2and3 were awsome cant wait

  • TPSISO9000

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 5:36 pm PT

    With the following Jaffe and Barlog have made, it feels like the old days when people would follow the creators to different titles and companies instead of just blindly buying the sequels. As a big GOW fan, I hope 3 impresses, but as a long time gamer, it wouldn't suprise me if it fell apart right here (it still happens, look at any new Medal of Honor or DMC 2). Good luck to both of them, and if MS isn't knocking on their door, thats just stupid.

  • hidden_mist

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 5:13 pm PT

    awwww thats sad...but even thou his gone i hope that GoW 3 would be good~

  • blancobo

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 4:58 pm PT

    To correct any doubts:
    Jaffe was the CREATOR and Director of the first GoW, Barlog was the Director of the second one and the CREATIVE DIRECTOR of both previous installments. There is NO "real brains" but a massive conjunction of ideas. Jaffe did come up with the idea: hey!!! lets make a GoW game... but the second one... which had more bossess and very cool graphs was Barlogs idea (in the MOST)... Barlog even commented that there were some of his ideas that did not fit the original game because Jaffe did not want them.... All in all... I don't want to make an argument here, but IT IS VERY SAD that commentators are offering missinformation about the series success and also post "partialized, unjustified, and vague" opinions.

  • blancobo

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 4:33 pm PT

    When I think about Jaffe leaving Sony, I can only think it had to do with the fact that he did not want to continue being involved in the GoW series, and that he wanted to go in a second direction... the "Calling all Cars" direction... He mentioned for quite some time how much he missed games being FUN, repeatable and overall plain fun... he was probably making a point about old games like Pacman, Galaga, etc... games that were played and replayed... Since CAC did not do that well, he might have gotten some neg feedback and decided to part his own way... may be to ensure he maintained his creative soul over Sony's own business oriented agenda.
    On Cory's part, my take is that he wanted more money... I don't know... may be he wanted something more out of Sony for the GoW success and figured that he had the talent ( I AM SURE HE DOES) to do whatever it is he wants to else where. My question is... will Corey meed with Jaffe in the future?!?!?! Could this be possible? Until then, I am at least at peace that HE PERSONALLY stated that GoW III was going to be great. It was probably 90% his take on the series since the second one basically had NO END.
    Good guy, great talen, awesome creative director.
    Success to Mr Barlog!

  • murano28

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 3:29 pm PT

    god of war is the best game of all time. and expecting the third one for ps3 will be a huge hit and must be on top of of the list. i will buy psp again 4 only gow game.

  • 1998ACR

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 3:15 pm PT

    bxgreatone........ you're partially right... halo isnt a first party game. Microsoft aquired bungie. The deal was that ms would provide the financial backing for their games and in turn would own the ips.... so halo is solely bungies idea but since bungie signed that contract they no longer own the ip. Therefore when they(bungie) left ms they had to leave their beloved halo ip behind... But they do have a contractual obligation to fullfill a number of games for microsoft, a quota if you will.... but bungie is wholly independent..... MS is and always have been bad at internal game production.. This is why ms aquired bioware and bungie and so on....... Just thought I would clarify

  • ShinAkuma777

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 3:01 pm PT

    barlog the baxer

  • Bavoke

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 3:00 pm PT

    well, atleast now he gets the change to make other games whit more recources, things he couldn't do whit Sony, but the God of War series will go on anyway so i don't really care XP
    Bavoke

  • alberto2045

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    man I know that God of War III will be awsome for sure without question that game will be great forever

  • y-50p

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 1:12 pm PT

    I wonder if he'll be in the credits if he's already put in some of his work.

  • ChuckNorris82

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 11:52 am PT

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  • kickassItalian

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 10:32 am PT

    GOW3 is going to be awsome just like the other 2. The visuals are going to be amazing in this one now that its on the ps3. Even though both directors from the other 2 are gone this one is still going to be awsome. Going to be hard to beat the first one though.

  • bxgreatone

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 10:12 am PT

    why people keep saying "good thing he didn't take GOW3 with him" He can't it's Sony only. Just like halo even with bungie leaving if another halo game ever came out it can only be released on the xbox they bought the rights to it. It's not a third party game it's direct from the company.

  • Kubzter

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 9:44 am PT

    Nice one Cory, you've done well for the God Of War franchise! You represented Kratos as a strong solid game character! I salute you!

  • LILG2793

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 8:35 am PT

    Well I guess we'll just have to be patient and wair for the final product. Best of luck to you Cory.

  • Blaze_Hrimfaxi

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 7:54 am PT

    Another nail in the perverbial coffin. When the hell will the screw overs end?!

  • skorpyan7

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 7:28 am PT

    Thanks for the update, and all the best to Barlog in his future endeavors.

  • Alucard7321

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 6:12 am PT

    I think maybe he just didn't want to be just known for the God of War series, thats fair enough. I hope his other projects work out well for him!

  • Kelkian

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 5:56 am PT

    Peace out Cory God of War III will be the reason why I will buy a PS3 I bet you any money that there will be "PS3 GoW3 edition" for sale when it comes out

  • andy_sal

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 4:38 am PT

    hey can some 1 plz hel me out im tryn to create my ps3 network account but it keeps telln me invalid address. u could send a message for me here or my email address andy_sal@hotmail.com i begn

  • jasonharris48

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 3:56 am PT

    I can't wait to see Cory's new projects

  • indyano

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 2:05 am PT

    I'm waiting.

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Jan 5, 2008 12:38 am PT

    I saw a God of War II promo video at my work that interviewed Barlog. He is a pretty cool dude, Im sure he is going to be fine. A lot of game developers are starting their own "indie" studios now, just as has been going on in the film and recording industry for years now. All part of legitimizing the medium of video games and is probably a good thing.

  • jacob-goodlich

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:57 pm PT

    it would be funny if this dramatically changed the game, but it wont i hope

  • PillsberyDoeMan

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:46 pm PT

    they better not **** up that game

  • Flos2on

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:29 pm PT

    When God Of War 3 will appear on sale I buy ps3)))

  • lewser5

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 11:24 pm PT

    Its sad to see another GOW member leave, I just hope nothing bad happens from now until the completion of part 3. Best of luck to you Cory!

  • Azhar85

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 10:45 pm PT

    GOW is a great games..but when barlog leaves..u know what i am thinking...i'll think he will start direct a great series to the 360...that even great than GOW...hahaha...

  • ctg867

    Posted Jan 4, 2008 10:28 pm PT

    If we could bring out Chains of Olympus in March of this year, and God of War III in March of next year, that'd be too friggin awesome.

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