10 INSANE Video Game Risks (That Totally Paid Off)

When rebooting the God of War franchise, Santa Monica Studios had a hard road ahead of them.

Director Cory Barlog gave a keynote speech at Devcon 2018 about God of War's complex behind-the-scenes story and it was one filled with doubt. Because the game was a complete refresh for the series, with the engine and art and so on being worked on in tandem, producing a good demo for playtesters was nigh-on impossible. Many who did it play it were furious by the changes to the gameplay and leading man Kratos.

The most worrying moment came just six months from launch. President of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida visited the studio to get hands on with the game. According to Barlog, it was a buggy mess and Yoshida played it whilst shaking his head in silence. He didn't say a word to Barlog, but the director heard from a colleague that bumped into Yoshida later that he what he played had "horrified" him.

Some people would see the lack of a verbal reaction was a big red, stop sign. The word "horrified" could've put some developers in a tailspin. It was make or break time. Did God of War slow it's roll and perhaps consider a different direction? Instead, Barlog and team put their noses to the grindstone.

And in so doing, released a title that rightfully won several end of year awards.