God of War 4 Director's Review Reaction Is A Reminder That Games Are Made By Humans

God of War 4 releases today on the PS4, meaning that reviews for the high-profile exclusive are now on the internet. You might read one of these assessments. The developers of the game also read these reviews, and after years of hard work and toil, it’s an emotional experience.

[Gazondaily]

And here I thought they were made by lobsters

[The_Jackel]

https://youtu.be/S4vFO8W18g...

[MasterCornholio]

I knew it lol.

Death to butter sauce!!!

[sonarus]

I still remember how he got all cocky after god of war 2 and left the team to do movies or sumthin like that. Yet to play 4 but it’s already downloaded if it’s as good as they say sounds like the guy has some real talent cus god of war 2 for me was tops in d series

[MarineLineman]

I hope you understand your getting disagrees because you clearly missed the point.

[PowerOfTheCloud]

I think he gets disagrees just because he is septic lol. Doesn't matter what comments the man posts he gets loads and loads of disagrees and afaik he worked insanely hard on his reputation to harvest all the downvotes.

[Gazondaily]

It took me a lot of years to get to this stage but I'm here now. Believe in yourself and your dreams will come true 😍

[PUBG]

@ Septic

Are you a Jordan Peterson fan?

[BlackTar187]

That a bad thing?

[PUBG]

@ BlackTar187

Not at all, I'm a big fan myself.

[Dragonscale]

@pubg, me too.

[UCForce]

Cory Barlog was crying in joy. Few developers have been like this.

[Nintentional]

How do you know other developers don’t get emotional when they see their hard work get recognition? Just because they don’t record their emotions, don’t mean it don’t happen, bro :/

[Gazondaily]

Lol exactly!

[LoveSpuds]

I am as pleased for Barlog and Santa Monica as everyone else and I find it very heartwarming and touching to see the effect the reception to God of War has had on the studio however, I don't think those emotions are exclusive to these developers.

I am sure there are many developers in the industry who care just as much about their projects as Barlog, and I am sure they are just as committed and work just as hard.

I feel like there has been a change over the last year or two in the development industry and instead of being quite distant and showing only a professional facade, companies are starting to realise that the community like to see a human side to the companies they care about.

I think honesty, emotion and sincerity will always go over well, it is more appealing I feel, than more traditional PR for example.

[Anthotis]

The same humans that Kotaku SJWs campaign to get fired for being white men who say silly things on social media.

[neocores8055]

^ Wow Someone offend this kid.

[StormSnooper]

You mean white men (don’t have to be white nor men btw) who use their position to speak words that offend others and in the process encourage that sort of mentality giving it credence and a safe harbor.

Don’t get me wrong, there are people on both sides of the spectrum who love to be offended for silly things, but we should be careful not to over simplify the world. Sometimes a person should be held accountable for what comes out of his/her mouth.

[ShadowWolf712]

You'd have a valid point if this was anyone but Kotaku.

(Or Polygon, sometimes Destructoid, New Normative, etc.)

[StormSnooper]

Oh, I wasn’t talking about kotaku or polygon or the rest you mentioned, as I’m not even aware of the facts of those. I was specifically referring to generalized statements about “sjw” or other hot topic keywords being thrown around these days because I feel some people are led astray when they hear these words, and that can be a dangerous thing when these keywords are picked up by more fringe segments of our society.

Basically, what I was trying to say is that we should tread carefully so we don’t just put a “SJW” label on anyone who objects to inappropriate behavior.

[ChickeyCantor]

Yes because a developer giving a women big titties is harboring on peoples safety when playing games.

Other than that "white men" who develop games haven't offended anyone with their products. The tangent you're going off is nonsense.

[OB1Biker]

'who use their position to speak words that offend others '
Cant you see theres something wrong in that statement ?
How dare someone 'speak words' which happen to 'offend others'
I think there are very few instances where people can be held accountable for using their freedom of speech and that must be done responsibly.

[StormSnooper]

@shadowWolf712
You see what I mean? The first guy thinks white people are under attack, the second guy thinks what I said means I don’t like boobs in games and that I’m saying something about white people(?), and the 3rd comment, although correct for the most part, thinks what I’m saying is going against freedom of speech because he doesn’t know that there are very sensible restrictions on the freedom of speech. That is the danger I was referring to. Someone says “SJW” and everyone agrees that it’s bad, regardless of context or circumstances.

[_FantasmA_]

It doesn't matter if it's social media. I don't like every person our sub group out there, but I don't put my opinions out there and I will talk to and respect anyone I come across (unless of course they are rude and lose my respect. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. I like to get along with everybody; regardless of race, gender, orientation, religion, etc. Everybody's people to me.

[dcbronco]

Septic, you do have to wonder if gamer realize there are people involved sometimes. Their sense of entitlement comes off aas if they believe the games are created through magic thoughts and no expense whatsoever comes into play. Whether its their refusal to accept higher pricing or the expectation that every game will be 40 hours long. Games have cost $60 dollars for over a decade and gamers seem to believe they should remain $60 forever. Even as they age and expect raises at their jobs to allow for the their families to prosper they still want magic from developers. This guy just understands his efforts was appreciated and he will have another opportunity to provide for his family. Even as gamers become less willing to provide job security. We should expect excellent work. But we should show appreciation for it.

[Tankbusta40]

The world "entitled" being thrown around to explain consumers who expect something special for their hard earned money is really getting old. Regardless of how much a video game costs... Paying for it comes with expectation and it has nothing to do with entitlement. The industry standard is 60 bucks and until someone is bold enough to change it that's where it's at. Also don't think if the industry standard changed to 79.99 that most devs wouldn't throw in microtransactions and loot boxes and claim they need them to feed their family as well.

[UltimateOwnage]

And this right here is the issue dcbronco was describing. That purchasing a product allows you permission to treat the creator like a product as well.

Being in the development and services industry, I can tell you I appreciate it a lot when someone treats me like more than a tool, or a throwaway commodity that can be replaced on a whim. And that certainly happens more than it should. That human value behind the exchange is more than just a sentiment, its fuel to keep doing my best. I'm sure that's the case for these amazing developers as they read each new review.

I also see the "purchase disconnect" mentality in gamers more these days than I recall in the past, and certainly towards developers that have may have fostered it. Like EA for example. They seem to only see gamers as a number in their corporate profit charts as they release yearly throw away content. Unfortunately a few heartless companies ruin how we see a lot of the passionate ones, too.

We used to know developers by name because of how awesome they were, like Shigeru Miyamoto, Will Wright, Hironobu Sakaguchi, John Carmack, Alexey Pajitnov, on and on. We honor great movie directors and writers, but seem to more often forget to honor the developers who make the games we love even though the creative process is just as, if not more complicated and specific than film.

Most developers work as hard to "earn" your money as you do to give it to them in exchange. I'm happy to support developers that clearly put their heart and soul into something that to them, is more than just a product. Its a huge investment of their unique talents and years of their life to make something that will stand the test of time. Hats off, Cory, and to the rest of the talented team.

[ShadowWolf712]

And yet, in the end, the cost of a movie ticket is the same no matter if it's an Oscar-winning timeless drama, a Spielberg Blockbuster, a Michael Bay orgy of senseless noise, or some low-tier Uwe Boll crap.

Yes, by all means, honor those that are good, but don't act like people are entitled for not supporting "unique" rates for the "good ones" or being upset when games are sub-par. Yes, devs pour a lot of work into their games, but that does not make them immune from criticism, ESPECIALLY from people paying them money for a product.

Because in the end, that's what it still is. A product.

[dcbronco]

Shadow Wolf movies are a very different thing from gaming. For instance what did you pay for a movie in 2005? 9.75, 10.75? It's 12.75 now. And then there are the "micro transactions" in the theater. popcorn, soda, pizza. All drastically overpriced. But no one begrudges the theater or studios a ticket hike. The studio bought a better camera, HD now. But it gets used over and over. It'll sell the rights overseas, on cable, release a dvd and have VOD. And all movies don't cost the same. Arthouse movies are usually around ten bucks here. There are certain theaters that play mostly lower budget movies that charge less.

Tank I will agree that they should drop the other revenue streams if they raise the price. Actually, I believe they need to switch to a different model along the lines of EA access. A subscription gets you access to old and new games and the games witch to a episodic format. No micros transactions. The old games add value for the customer and the steady income stream keeps the developer in business. Plus, it allows for adjustments when the story veers off in a bad direction. Microsoft did it right with Game Pass. Add the new games. Release an episode of an exclusive every three months. Keep a developing story going.

But for gamers to think pricing can remain the same with no other revenue options for developers is a sense of entitlement. You wouldn't allow your boss to get away with not giving you a raise for a decade, don't expect someone to not ask you for one every few years. Right now games are becoming more expensive to develop. Until new methods are created to bring cost down people need to accept other forms of revenue. All of the developers going bankrupt weren't poorly managed. The business model for gaming is just poorly designed. Digital could also address that by allowing developers to relicense a used copy of a game for a credit for the original purchaser. Gamespot will be taken out of the loop at some point, why not by the developers themselves.

[Imalwaysright]

Yeah well maybe some of us would be more understanding if most devs/publishers realised that we, gamers, are people as well that we all work hard to buy their games. If they realised this maybe they would stop releasing broken and incomplete full priced games. It would also be nice if they stopped trying to mislead us with their false advertisement or try to take advantage of us by making us pay to play games we already paid for and access games they don't even provide servers for.

If more devs were like CD Projekt RED who made a what? 200 hour game, sold it for €60 and still made a profit without assuming that we are all thieves by not putting that denuvo crap on their game maybe we, consumers, wouldn't negatively criticize so many publishers and studios

[ShadowWolf712]

>Refusal to accept higher pricing

That's not a sense of entitlement, bud. That's looking at... well, facts.

Besides which, any excess profit would go straight to the publisher, not the devs.

[InTheZoneAC]

you realize when a game profits enough to cover development for the next two games there's no need to try to beg for a price increase, go somewhere else with that bs.

[IRetrouk]

But games HAVE got more expensive, when i started gaming it cost 30 pounds for a new release, now they are looking between 50-60 pounds, almost double in 20 odd years, and half the time you now get less in said game, then you have season passes etc on top of that, games cost enough full stop.

[DeadManMMX]

Man. I love this. I'm glad that team gets the reap the rewards and praise for their good work and sacrifices. Cool stuff.

[Jinger]

I love you Cory, but you changed GoW in a direction that just isn't as fun for me. Still a solid game, but it's just not the same, and no, not for the better

[cell989]

You’re stuck in the past bro

[Jinger]

In this case, the past was better. Still a good game, but it's just not God of War. I haven't finished it yet, just got the compass, but so far it has really bad pacing. For every great moment, it hits a brick wall and tried to get emotional and deep.

[MarineLineman]

For the better is a very relative phrase. For many people, this is clearly for the better. I’ve played and finished every GoW to date, have platinumed all but the first, and I’m enjoying this one so far.

[Jinger]

I'm enjoying it, but not as much as the others.

[Razzer]

Bet you wrote this weeks ago. You're just a broken record when it comes to Sony games.

[Jinger]

I was always weary about the new direction. And now playing it, I can confirm. However I will admit I dont HATE the kid as much as I thought I would. He is actually useful. But I can't stand the slow story with him.

And how am I a broken record with Sony games when my top games this gen are Bloodborne, Nier, Nioh and i love my PSVR.

[UCForce]

@Jinger And the problem I have with you. You are also defending publishers greedy antics. Sony do want money, too. But they know to balance risk and economic. God of War proved that Single Player still can create a huge impact. It’s maybe not fun for you, but most of us have the opposite opinion.

[Jinger]

@UCForce

I never said I'm not having fun, ive had this game preordered for weeks. I support SP games as much as anyone else.

[UCForce]

@Jinger Then why you defending Battlefront 2 greedy antic ? People will never take you seriously on that topic for good reason.

[Jinger]

@UCForce

Did I ever defend them? All I ever said is I dont care about them and I'm still enjoying the game regardless. However, I did enjoy mocking all you guys getting all bent out of shape over it.

The fact is I support all types of games, because I love gaming and all sorts of genres. GoW is one of my favorite franchises, just because I dont enjoy this radical change as much doesn't mean I HATE the game. I just don't like it as much as the other style. But I guess if I dont just roll over and praise everything Sony does unconditionally, that makes me a fanboy..

[UCForce]

Well, it wasn’t supposed to be like old games. It is more like new beginning for Kratos and his son Atreus. That’s why it’s call God of War, not 4. You still stuck in the past way too deep. So you don’t want Link and Master Chief to evole as a character. Even casual and hardcore GOW love this new direction.

[Jinger]

No I wouldn't want master chief to become a sappy dad. Nor Link to all of the sudden have a voice and such. Not every game needs to be a deep 3rd person cinematic game. GoW and Kratos was never that so I never wanted him to be this...

And it's not just the father dad mechanic and story. The combat is objectively worse... at least right now. Hopefully it gets better later tho.

[UCForce]

Then you failed the gaming community. Kratos is still Kratos, but he’s not looking for vengeance anymore. He and his son need to send the mother to ashes on the top of mountain.

Edit : Because you failed to understand and disrespect the gaming legacy

Edit#2: Those was in story trailer, offRoadKing. But you right, sorry about that.

[Jinger]

Why? And how?

[OffRoadKing]

Easy on those spoilers UCForce. lol

[deafdani]

He failed the gaming community because he doesn't like the new GOW as much as previous entries? Really?

Could you be a bit more overdramatic? Lol.

He likes previous GOW games better. He doesn't love the new direction. Deal with it, dude, it's just his opinion.

[SgtSlaughter212]

You are the absolute definition of a twat.

It’s his opinion. Chill the fuck out. You’re now talking about gaming legacy and shit because he doesn’t like the game as much as you? I can only imagine what kind of person you are in real life.

I cannot believe the moderators continue to let you comment. You give the gaming community, and this site, a bad name.

[Sunny_D]

Ahhh, Jinger doesn’t like it? Oh, it must be doing something right then!

[Jinger]

I like it. Just not as much as the older ones

[OffRoadKing]

Sucks for you, I'm really enjoying it and I think it was time for something fresh and new from the series, had it been exactly the same as previous games you would have chosen that to complain about instead.

[Jinger]

I'm still enjoying it also. I have never complained about a GoW game through all 6 GoWs of the original style. My top request was GoW in Norse since 3, but not in this style... but okay, play that narrative... /rolls eyes

[UCForce]

The combat worse in this new GOW ? Oh buddy, you have no ideas how wrong you are. There more than you thought.

[Ceaser9857361]

I will never ever believe a guy who complains about the combat here, even if you dont like the game i am okay with it but complaining about the combat boy! that's like haters gonna hate

[Wasabi]

I'm backing you here Jinger.
Not because I dislike GOW, because personally I think the game is incredible and I'm having a blast playing it, but because you have the strength of character to state your opinion and the morale courage to stick by what you have written. Too many people pander to the masses afraid to upset the status quo, but if that's your opinion I respect it, and I respect you more for being honest about how YOU feel about the game.

[UCForce]

Your opinion, but you execute them poorly.

[Araragifeels]

I am split with Old and New God Of War. I missed the old combat style, power and Kratos original voice. I understand that this game is no longer about rage and Kratos but rather the story is about Atreus and the game show Kratos redemption. Rage equal power but in this game, his trying to take control which show why he downgrade since rage is the source of his power (immortality, strength and more) so he can't no longer fight as his highest peak like in God Of War III. So I can say that I love God Of War story but my heart love more God Of War I-III due to the fact that Kratos was a badass who can died and come back even stronger, and kill any one in his way. God Of War is no longer Kratos story so I can see the change.

[Averyashimself]

No disrespect, but your making yourself kind of look like a shrew right now. Lighten up a little man, it’s just another person’s opinion.

[ShadowWolf712]

The past was button mashing, sex in the form of ridiculous QTEs, and a paper-thin plot with paper-thin characters all about the spectacle.

You're essentially comparing Scorcessie and Michael Bay and saying Michael Bay is a better filmmaker.

[Ceaser9857361]

nah! i am digging this game more, the past was good but The new one feels much better , i am tired with QTES and Button smashing The new game offers alot of varieties and Cory and SM took the risk and it finally paid off which proves that Gamers today wants something new and doesn't want to get stuck in the past POST GOW Ascension SM went through a lot and Cory came back with this idea and it worked and like i said Every game is not for every one so i can understand a hand few people not liking the style but i am fine with that because most of them are digging it and so far imo this is a master piece and i am happy that i am a video gamer just because of this game Hats off to the team and also gives hope to those devs out there who can now think and reboot a dead franchise, i would want to see a Prince of Persia game

[outsider1624]

Really? I thought this change was needed. I enjoyed the older GoWs but this beats them all. The only complaint for me is that the camera is too close to my character but its minor...other than that everything is top notch

[Dragonscale]

@Jinger, you are entitled to you opinion. Ok you prefer the older games but maybe they had run their course, SSM decided to go in a new direction which has paid off in spades. Its given the franchise a new lease of life whereas if they'd stuck with the old formula it may have died. Yeah some fans are gonna be disappointed but at least GoW will continue now. Credit where credits due this new direction was a very brave decision which looks to have paid off big time, its a lesson some other quarters could take heed from tbh. If it bothers you that much you can always go back and play GoW 3 again, it was pretty epic from what I remember.

[MarineLineman]

Cory definitely shows a unique sense of passion for what he does. The way he has presented himself throughout this process really demonstrates that he doesn’t hold himself in overly high regard, but rather knows he’s a normal human being like everyone else and isn’t afraid to show emotion when his hard work pays off. It’s great to see someone like him getting recognized. He’s kind of like the Bizarro Cliff Blezinski lol

[crxss]

Reminder: terrible headlines are made by humans

[OffRoadKing]

Whats terrible about the headline?

[PUBG]

Somebody get Corey Barlog and the gang over at Kotaku a round of soy lattes.

[UCForce]

I can tell you are upsetting about God Of War new direction, aren’t ya ?

[OffRoadKing]

You should get your sodium levels checked.

[Sevir]

I got hit with feels watching him breakdown in happy tears... Cory has been so humble throughout this process, so I'm incredibly happy that it's been received so we'll. :) Congrats to him and everyone at Sony Santa Monica

[Wasabi]

He comes across as a decent bloke that's put 100% into the game, and is pleased that other people 'get' his vision for the series.

I can fully understand the emotion behind putting five years of your life into something and seeing the fruits of your labour ripen and be recognised by others in the industry.

The game is very, very good. In my opinion this game is one of many good reasons to own a PlayStation 4 console.

[ElementX]

A MS developer gets emotional and people would call them a snowflake.

[Wasabi]

Not appropriate Element, This article has nothing to do with Microsoft or Xbox.

[ElementX]

I'm just stating what would happen. How many other articles have unrelated comments? I am glad God of War is getting good reviews, I'm going to buy it eventually once I finish Far Cry and some other games. It's not as though I hate Sony, I have a gold slim.

[Wasabi]

@Element

A lot of articles have unrelated comments on N4G, but the mods have been good at closing them down recently.

The fact is, (and this is only my opinion) It's good to see the other side of development, when a dev puts their heart and soul into a game and it pays off, this industry is often a story of broken dreams, failures and sensationalist headlines. I think Corey's response is honest and genuine and he more than deserves this time in the spotlight, put aside platforms and favourites this is a win, win for gamers and the art form.

Just my opinion Element, feel free to disagree.

PS - Gold Slim - Nice :)

[subtenko]

A reminder? Anyone including douchebag kotaku who thought otherwise is a prick!

[PhoenixUp]

Well it’s nice to see a human reaction like this every once in a while. Many top dogs in various industries treat these accolades like “business as usual” without showing us how much it really means to receive it

[zodiac909]

After they have finished with God Of War, Cory Barlog and his team should be allowed to make whatever new IP they want to. They deserve it.

[GamingSinceForever]

So far it’s a fantastic game and I want to give congrats to SSM for that.

However, releasing the reviews more than a week early and filming himself looking into the reviews tells me that he was in the least but shocked by the reaction to the game.

Nothing wrong with being a little cocky so as long as you can back it up.

[OB1Biker]

I see what you mean but I wouldnt judge. You have to understand a lot of people, not only him, spent years working on the game like it was a top secret project, not even able to talk about it with their family. Cory is clearly having all of this on his shoulders.
What I find scary, is the power of the media.

[obidanshinobi]

His response is all part of the marketing.
Sony sent loads of journalists and youtubers to review events in Norway, Cory was present though out most of these. They knew that the game would be universally praised, they knew it would be heralded as one of the game's of the generation.

The game does look phenomenal mind, I'll be getting a copy once I've completed FC5 and traded it in, but this whole crying on camera thing is a bullshit marketing stunt. Either that or he's a complete pussy :D

[senorfartcushion]

Well... It's an example of the human touch beneath the corporate monstrousnous; It is an example of what's killed after the game is released.

[AuraAbjure]

I hope developers sign the no crunch pledge created by Tanya X.

[Mikedzines]

God of War 4 Director's Review Reaction Is A Reminder That Gamers have psychologically destroyed developers.

Fix’d

[Einhander1971]

Yes some obviously don't know the hard work and passion that goes into these amazing games. we are then given the privilege to play and experience.

[obidanshinobi]

Man up Princess

[InTheZoneAC]

I don't know how else to say this about the latest God of War, but from what I've played all day yesterday and today there is NO WAY for someone to NOT enjoy this game. This very well may be the best game ever and that is coming from someone who loves the Donkey Kong Country Series (still has the best soundtrack of any game), A Link to the Past/Between Worlds, Super Mario 3, GTA V, Socom, The Last of Us, Uncharted, Twisted Metal Black, Read Dead Redemption, Bloodborne, etc.

Let's just say whatever expectations I had of this game being good/great this game exceeded it in every unimaginable way.

[BadElf]

Wuht? How lovey dovey.
You know whats even more of a reminder that humans were involved?? WHen an awful game is released.

Or when you order a burrito at Taco Bell and the human didnt spread the ingredients out? One bite is JUST sour cream...the next bite is JUST beans...

This article...yeesh