God of War director says delay "is on me" as developer receives vile abuse

Creative director Cory Barlog has said responsibility for the PS5 sequel’s direction ultimately lies with him, following negative reactions to recent announcements about the title.

[BigBosss]

Their always have to be cry babies out there who are never happy. I think this delay will help the game out a lot.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger once said; "STOP WHINING"

[VenomUK]

The stupid salaried video games media they whip up a frenzy with articles where they all copy the same editorial line that Sony is 'disgusting', 'a liar', that it 'betrayed gamers', etc. They do this for a reason - IT DRIVES CLICKS. Then you get the stupid situation that happened with CD Projekt who received death threats for delaying Cyberpunk 2077.

Just look at the articles that have been posted on N4G in the past couple of days, one editor from a website slammed Sony, and on ResetEra they are treating him like a hero and a freedom fighter! No, if any of them had any real journalistic training they wouldn't all being pulling this crap.

[--Onilink--]

How does that have anything to do with people that complain or issue threats or insults when a game is delayed?
It happens every time, regardless of the developer/publisher and it really has nothing with the narrative that formed this time around the conversation of Sony’s...lets call it, initially questionable advertising, of their upcoming games

[TheKingKratos]

I really really ... really hate those so called "gamers"
They are not fans ... they are the most filth and vile group of grown up cry babies who think they are entitled to everything

Delay the game as long as you want to make it as good as it can be ,Cory ... I trust you and I know you will give us another masterpiece

[VenomUK]

@TheKingKratos. The person who sent that disgusting tweet to Alanah Pearce is nasty but he said nothing about gamers. Why are you saying ‘gamers’ in speech marks? That is the political crap people do on ResetEra to ‘prove’ they are moral and wise. Just because a person makes a show about hating the word’ gamers’ doesn’t mean they’re good - in life I’ve found that the people who do that are anything but.

[dcbronco]

Unfortunately the gaming press doesn't have much journalistic integrity because it's been mostly clickbait for years. And it's not going to get any better because people continue to climb n the sites.

[TheKingKratos]

I don't disagree
But as you see in those tweets ... they way they talk like gamers are a punsh of hive minds who share the same views and opinions like the last two tweets where they talk about nasty stuff the way the talk seems like they represent every gamer who wish the same thing

You must agree that there are gamers who say stuff that make you hate being gamer ... if you go to a site like 4chan .. that is one of the worst places where you will find those type of fanboys and man child cry babies

[darthv72]

Even with the delay, GoW2 is still going to take less time than the first. It's not that big of a deal. Good things come to those that wait.

[ScootaKuH]

Definitely. Have these people not got anything else going on in their lives? Yes it's fine to be disappointed, but to abuse those creating the game is shameful. We're living in very abnormal times right now and delays were always inevitable.

[NeoGamer232]

People that complain like that should have their PS account shuttered by Sony. It is simply unacceptable.

[CrimsonWing69]

I think the whole mentality of a delay being good for a game is the wrong perspective to have when it comes to this. Yes, people need to not get their panties in a bunch over a delay. There are far more pressing matters to get upset over in the world than a video game.

That being said it isn’t like they’re adding anything to the game from the delay. It isn’t like the game is going perfectly well and they’re going to make it even bigger than it would’ve been had it released on time.

No, this means they didn’t do proper management during the development and they’re not going to make their deadline.

Look at Cyberpunk and all its delays. That’s not how delays work that the game will be better. The delay only means that it gives them additional time to develop a game that they weren’t meeting deadlines in the production schedule.

This whole idea of, “Yay, delay means a better game!” Is completely the wrong way to look at delays.

[CorndogBurglar]

And what do you think it means when the developer didn't hit their deadline? Regardless of the reason for the delay, it means the game isn't ready yet. And by taking more time, they are working on the game to make it better than it was. No one thinks delays mean they are adding more content and the game will be bigger and have more features. I'm not sure where you're gettinf that idea. But it does mean they are ironing out issues with the games. Bugs, stability, graphical work, gameplay, etc.

You use Cyberpunk as an example. And its a good example. It got delayed several times and still released as a complete mess. But what do you think it would have been like if they released it without those delays? It would have been even worse.

So yeah, delays don't necessarily mean a "good game" will be released. But a delay definitely does mean "yay, better game". How much better is the question. Whether the game is still good or not at launch remains to be seen. But the same can be said with ANY game, delays or not.

[CrimsonWing69]

@CorndogBurglar

I hear what you’re saying, but it’s not indicative of the game coming out good is my point or better. If anything a delay should be making people worried more than people being all like, “yay, delay means better game.”

I used Cyberpunk as an example for that very reason. Hell, you can look at a number of games with delays like Aliens Colonial Marines to Duke Nukem Forever.

I’m just seeing people with the mindset of the game will be “better” due to the delay and that isn’t the case. If anything this should be something to worry about. Is content being cut due to programming issues? How were things mismanaged during development?

I see people posting things like delaying the game will make it the best it can be or the delay will help the game out a lot. I mean I don’t know what the cause it for the delay, but all I’m saying is it isn’t good and it’s not indicative that the game will be “better” for it. Like I said maybe something got cut or the game just isn’t running at an optimized performance, which could lead to a downgrade. Who knows?

[dumahim]

Yeah, but the subtitle size....

/s

[CorndogBurglar]

Apparently these idiots learned nothing from Cyberpunk. They kept hounding and hounding for it to release, even sent death threats. And look at how that turned out, even after delays.

Release games when they are ready. Otherwise we end up disappointed. This is nothing new.

[camel_toad]

Yep there will always be those types that think the world revolves around them; those who make the ridiculous death threats. That's not usually the kind of thing one grows out of either.

They'll be terrible human beings until the day they die. (And everyone they knew will celebrate)

[milohighclub]

I think once devs start getting threats, the game should be cancelled. The communities becomee too toxic, shut it down.

[Mithan]

9 of these people down voted you.

[seanpitt23]

Why are people shocked at this.. it was inevitable didn’t shock me one bit because I knew It was coming out next year.. when a game goes gold then you make plans to play it (exception to cyberpunk) otherwise don’t trust these release date take them with a pinch of salt especially ones where they just give you a year..

When GTA6 eventually gets announced and a release date, add another year onto it then you will be close to the date when you will eventually get to play it…

[Seraphim]

that's just it. there might be an exception but every single GoW I can recall was pushed back from X year release to March of the following year. Ever since the OG GOW on PS2 and if I recall, including the PSP games as well. Every single one. scratch that. the reboot released in April so there's the exception to the March rule XD

Because of this I knew dam well the game would not be releasing this year.

[Teflon02]

Sony games mostly release every time but the end of the year with the exception to games like Little Big Planet etc that o think was always years end. So with Horizon being there I would think even if ready, it would be good to space it out a bit depending on the date horizon is aiming for which is assume October for some reason

[isarai]

Wow people still bitching about delays after the Cyberpunk fiasco? I'd rather it be done than ship now

[frostypants]

Because kids are taught to feel like victims of literally everything.

[DefaultComment]

Well, hope not but looks like GOW ragnarok is gonna be on that same boat.

[-Foxtrot]

I'm really surprised people are bothered about the delay over it being cross gen

That's what I find most disappointing

It's only one delay, not the end of the world.

[Tigerblud]

Is this how we found out it’s coming to PS4?

[TheKingKratos]

I think it might be developed first on Ps4 pro then upscaled in some light or draw distance and Fps mode for ps5

Something like Horizon FW

[ShadowWolf712]

Somehow I knew you'd have a take like this.

They were mad about that too, btw. Made that quite clear in their rather nasty message.

[-Foxtrot]

Well, I didn't read all of them...sue me

But it seems more focused on the delay

[derek]

The fact that we're getting a gow sequel 1.5 years into this new console generation is still amazing.

[AnnaDea]

It's the same hateful morons that got so worked up over Abby in Last of US 2 and Cyberpunk from last year that shows their ugly mug again.

Cory did the right thing on every point here. In the end he thinks a delayed game will be a better experience, And it will be!

I think they want this out around April next year to line it up with the previous God of War release 4 years ago then.

[where-eagles-dare]

So your take is, if someone disliked the characters of the Last of Us 2, they are therefore, an ugly hateful moron.

You are behaving in exactly the same type of manner as these internet clowns throwing around insults because you can't accept that some fans just didn't enjoy the sequel as much.

[NewsForSnowflakes]

Not liking a game is fine. Disliking a character is also fine. But that isn't where things end is it? People were embarrassingly pathetic about TLOU2 even before they played the game. Gamers gotta cry "politics!!!" when a company tries to do something a little bit different or interesting.

Pretty sure that @AnnaDea was referring to the entitled crybabies that had send abusive, transphobic, sexist, antisemitic comments and death threats to the actors and game devs (all evidence can be found easily online) just because everyone that isn't a straight white man is "political".

And CDPR also received death threats and abuse of course for the numerous delays. And look how that garbage fire turned out.

Bunch of "ugly hateful morons" is too kind of a phrase for most of these people.

[djl3485]

Your reading comprehension skill is lacking.

[kimbomma1]

So because you dislike a character in a game that gives you the right to threaten the devs' and voice actress' lives and family's lives? And you think someone off offhandedly referring to these people in a negative manner is equally as bad? Wow!

[VerminSC]

These man babies need to stop playing games. Who raised these morons?

[John_McClane]

Sony

[John_McClane]

You can down vote me but these are toxic Sony fans, they do the same thing on here.

[InUrFoxHole]

Aggggaaaahhhh! Well played sir!

[Rambokind]

If you're sending vile messages to this guy because the game is delayed, you've got serious issues to tend to. Gaming is masking your psychological and moral breakdown.

[warriorcase]

The message was sent to Alanah Pearce, who is a writer for the studio. She posted it publicly. The message said he hopes she was raped by all her fans and the delay is her fault.

[InUrFoxHole]

Or it's enhancing what's already there.

[waverider]

After the amazing GOW, one of the best games of last gen and for me, ever. How can someone do this. I cant believe that any sony gamer with half a brain is worried about the quality of GOW. Cross gen or not. What they did with a console with jag cpu and 1.84 teraflops.... I think the pandemic, staying at home, made some even bigger morons.

[chiefJohn117]

Pot calling the kettle black lmao

[waverider]

chief i dont go to social media saying bad things about someone....

[chiefJohn117]

Umm yes you do lol you insult Xbox gamers regularly on here unprovoked

[waverider]

Opinions. i respect your opinion. Do i agree? no. Do i seek your Twitter or Intagram account to say trash? Nope. Insult? something that i dont do, but i will say what i think. Its not the same. Now, the way around? even today i got insulted. Personal attack, but i dont care. Gamers calling out to say trash, because they dont like my opinion.

[SullysCigar]

Said the Xbox Gamer, provoking him..

[chiefJohn117]

Sully and aqua yall should be the last ones replying cause yall just as bad.

[ANIALATOR136]

Why is Alannah Pearce even involved

[ToastyMcNibbles]

She was hired by Santa Monica recently.

[ANIALATOR136]

I thought she was a game journalist

[-Foxtrot]

@ANIALATOR136

She was but you know what they say, it's not what you know, it's who you know

[buffig]

She's a writer for Santa Monica

[warriorcase]

Shes is a writer for the studio. People think she is a games journalist but hasn't been for years now. She does a podcast, writes short stories and does work as a narrative consultant before being hired by Sony.

[ActualWhiteMan]

I dont care that it was delayed, as much as its a cross-gen title. This means that the reason for the delay is they devoted more resources into making it for both generations when they should have just focused on PS5. Still havent had that experience that makes me feel "This is why I upgraded from my PS4 PRO"

[CobraKai]

The harassment isn’t gonna make the game come faster. Unless these asswipes want Cyberpunk quality God of War

[neutralgamer1992]

Who are these gamers man and seriously what's wrong with y'all? Developers are working during a pandemic a lot of motion capture studios are still closed

This is the pressure CDPR felt and they released the game and than we blame developers afterwards (not defending CDPR) but these are who being negative it give threats need to stop. Sony world wide studios president was honest with information with sugar coating anything and now look at all the negativity. So we are basically saying these companies should lie and hold back information. I rather they are upfront with us instead of giving a released window they know for sure will get delayed later

[spicelicka]

The problem is that there is no "y'all". Developers are a set group of people, but literally anyone in the world can be considered a gamer. Not saying that these threats aren't serious at all, but it could be one certified loser or Russian bot sending automated hate messages and it's enough to make all the gaming community look bad, including you and I. It's horrible and it's just part of the new world now.

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

Lad, Cyberpunk was not released early because of pressure from gamers. The developers themselves thought that all of the planned release dates were insane. It was released prematurely because of pressure placed on the developers from the higher ups. It had nothing to do with social media posts, it was about money (cashing in on the last big year of last gen consoles).

People who are getting angry about this delay are morons though.

[RaiderNation]

LOL the delay was no surprise whatsoever. Back when they first teased this and it said 2021 I said to myself "oh yeah, that's getting delayed."

[Duke19]

"abuse" - anyone that upset about a videogame being delayed needs to re-evaluate their life

[thesoftware730]

Anyone who has the time and mentality to be crazy upset over a videogame delay really needs to re-evaluate their life.

I, like others on here look forward to games and get disappointed when they don't release as scheduled, but to literally be mad and lambast someone over it is plain insanity.

Games, movies, T.V shows, Music, ect gets delayed all the time. This is one game out of 100s, get over it, people are starting to kinda get back to normal life after Covid, go outside and enjoy yourself.

[gold_drake]

what is wrong with people.

[Gamer75]

The same thing that is wrong with anyone who acts that way.... they're nuts

[Epzaos1]

Nothing, that's the most terrifying thing.
They are showing their true faces when they wear a mask.

[Paleblood]

Hating on devs because of a delay is so ridiculous. This is Santa Monica Studio. I rest assured they are making the best they can.

[Bathyj]

Gamers are so fkn toxic.
Don't worry about these clowns Cory.
Do what you do.

[ajax17]

Vile abuse? What does that mean; like a dozen assholes on twitter, or something?

[LucasRuinedChildhood]

The post that was screenshotted had thousands of upvotes, man. Most people wouldn't leave posts like this like (it's obviously a minority, not the majority) but I suppose it would be stressful to be getting messages like that addressed to your personal account. They weren't just sent to the director either.

[nickanasty206]

This just shows you what happens when fanboyism takes control. Dude who wrote what he did to Alahna was way out of line. He lets his fanboyism control his life, which is a dangerous place to be. If you are going to be a fanboy, at least be reasonable. Its a FUCKING video game for god sakes....

[Workshyskiver]

Oh bugger off. Anyone complaining about game delays after this last year is both deluded and self entitled. The entire industry has seen widescale delays due to the pandemic and I dont remember seeing a release date for GOW. Cory has nothing to apologise for.

[StoneyYoshi]

All these threats and crap come from the shit stain of the internet which is called Twitter and its utterly disgusting. Nothing but hate and bashing all over that social media site. 🤮 Im glad I never got drawn into Twitter as a daily source of internet. Never understood the point of it and still don't.

[Adnanilyas21]

Wow this is pathetic seriously wow.

[Half13yte]

I don't even know why developers announce games or set release dates so far in advance anymore. The last giant announcement that got it right to me was for Fallout 4. I it was announced in June 2015 and came out 5 months later. Everybody knew they were working on it for years, but they didn't give people much of a window to whine or speculate about things.

[franwex]

I agree.

In this case I suppose to re assure people that cool games are on their way to a new platform (even tho it’s on PS4 too).

[Robodrake]

And then fallout 4 ended up being a disaapointment

[-Foxtrot]

I literally don't know why studios don't use the Fallout 4 approach

If it's a new IP then sure, maybe give people a year or so to get hyped up and have the IP get some exposure but if it's something from a huge franchise already known like God of War, Zelda, Halo etc then just tell us 5-6 months before launch with the release date set in stone 100%.

[franwex]

There was negative reaction?
All I saw was support.
Dang.
Also I never expected the game this year either. I was surprised about the delay itself due to not knowing it was slated for this year!

[metalgod88]

I'm tired of games being announced wayyyy too early in the development cycle. I mean, one way to avoid this, is to announce the game, you know 3-6 months before it's set to launch. I mean, this game was announced even before the PS5 launched.

I know they're trying to help sell consoles but dude... don't give us false hope. There have been so many delays for games (probably because of the cyberpunk fiasco) and it's partially due to the super early game announcements. JUST STOP ANNOUNCING THEM AND YOU WON'T HAVE TO DELAY THE LAUNCH DATE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT YET!

Get past all of the development hurdles, and when you're finally in a near completed state(fixing bugs, fine tuning gameplay elements), give the announcement and say, it's coming in 3-6 months. How hard is that?

I understand this is wishful thinking, but man..I'm tired of games being delayed. Oh..and remasters too. I want something new to play. Not something I played 10 years ago.

[Orchard]

These people are not real gamers. No developer deserves those kinds of messages, for any reason.

[Starman69]

If it's delayed because they're putting every ounce of effort into the game, then I'm certainly behind them and support that descision 😁👍. Perfection takes time! 😁

[AnotherGamer]

Did people really though this was coming this year?

[StoneyYoshi]

Well... the teaser did say 2021. I was on the fence myself but they did announce 2021 with no set date.

[Elda]

I agree that developers should take their time to make sure a game plays & performs well when they're ready to release but at the same token developers & their publishers should announce games when they know the game is a sure bet that it's ready to release in a 6-month time frame. Announcing games & waiting 2 years or more to be released is somewhat disappointing. Hopefully the developers concentrate on doing what they know best & pay those immature whiners absolutely no mind.

[GameZenith]

"We believe in generations"

[Robodrake]

Certainly more than MS, so yes, Sony does believe in generations.

[TheTony316]

Some of the reactions are pathetic.

[X-23]

I'm so tired of the clowns who find ways to ruin social outlets by expressing negativity behind a veil, and the little entourages that follow suit and do similar things because they consider it humorous; in my opinion, are equally disgusting.

[TheEnigma313]

People cry about delay's, but a bug ridden game can't ruin a companies reputation and have them lose major money. Look at the damage control CD projekt is doing because they refused to delay cyberpunk.

[ShadowWolf712]

Imagine being so maladjusted that you think you need to lash out over a game being delayed and cross-gen.
Some people are absolutely pathetic.

[MeteorPanda]

vile abuse? what neckbeards doing drive-by acid tossing at the devs??

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

I LOVE delays. They’re lightyears more desirable than buggy launches.

Do you want the game now? Or when it’s finished? There’s no third option. Humans make these games, not sleepless automatons.

[WillyC009]

People are pathetic. Big deal it got delayed. There is plenty of other things to play in the meantime. I wish some ppl would grow up. If this is how they’re behaving, maybe they should talk to someone about their mental health.

[chiefJohn117]

WE DONT CARE CORY! Just get the damn game done or else we coming after your children
Lol I bet he getting messages like this. Gamers are nothing to fool around with, they go hard and extreme over games. Like geez it's just games

[Ryuk_2007]

Playstation fanboys hate M$... and Sony... damn lol

[JimBeans]

I hate the few people that do personal attacks. I also hate developers saying "all you people are awful." Like out of millions of fans, you have a few bad eggs. Don't blame me for it!

[StoneyYoshi]

"I hate the few people that do personal attacks"
The few people? How many is a few to you? Theres probably millions of people who do this shit all over the internet about all sorts of different subjects...

Don't take what they said personally... If you didn't do anything then you have nothing to worry about. When they say "all you people" they clearly are meaning the people who are doing the personal attacks. 🤦🏻‍♂️

I have more respect for Barlog speaking his mind and not censoring how he felt about the situation.

[DefaultComment]

So noble of Cory Barlog indeed, we should build a bronze statue in tribute to him for his selfless action.
Now on a serious note, the guy had it coming. He's the game Director right? Yet he thought that is was a genius idea to announced GOW sequel way earlier than what the game was erady to be announced, you can talk about the pandemic which ironically the games was announced at 2020. He promised to be released it on 2021 yet the has lied to their community.
Anyway the damage is done and these are the consequences for his dumb planning.

[HankHill]

Twitter is a cesspool. What did you expect?

[Sayai jin]

Smh...It happens people. Relax.

[Bronbron92]

Wasn’t really surprised at a delay for this title I’ll guess it’ll be early 2022 release no worries give other games to breathe lol

[Vengeance1138]

I'd very much like to see some names get outted for the users that posted these abuse comments. Lets see them get hunted down and harrassed IRL to teach them that online words have real world meaning.

[Einhander1971]

Ah the babies are out trolling the devs again. For God's sake get a life, get out more. Have these sad little individuals got nothing else to play.

[sourOG]

If a bitch whines on twitter and nobody that matters is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

[Petebloodyonion]

OK here's a lesson I tell my 4years old son each time he throw a tantrum.
Do you think that this behavior incline me into changing my mind into giving you what you want?

[NoFanBoy]

There is no delay only a release when it's finished, do these people want every game to be as broken and incomplete CP2077.

[gerbintosh]

Gamers: How dare you delay the game, I am outraged
Also Gamers: This game is crap, you should have delayed it!

Can't win

[Ninte]

It's sad there are toxic people out there and sadly, the anime creators has to deal with the same problem.

[fitofficial]

Gamers acting like spoiled entitled brats? No, it can't be.

[GoodGuy09]

Who honestly thought the game would be out this year lol.

[TheEroica]

I blame gamers for believing the first release window.

The dev never come through on the release date.

[Knightofelemia]

I'd rather have the game pushed back and tweaked, buffed up and be a solid title which Santa Monica are good at. Last thing we need is another Cyberpunk fiasco with Kratos I am happy to wait for 2022 to play as Kratos.

[MasterChief3624]

I don't understand. People clamor for the industry to move away from crunch. Then people complain when a game is delayed, possibly to avoid... crunch? Make up your minds!

[MaxiPower90]

What person realistically thought this was coming out in 2021.

[anast]

What a bunch of losers. Do something else while the game is cooking.

[chicken_in_the_corn]

I would like to know his reason for it. Can't help but think he gave in to all the pressure

[S2Killinit]

The class.

[yoshatabi]

People who get mad over delays for just a videogame are immature children

[UltimateOwnage]

Man, these complainers suck. Demand perfect score AAA quality on a time scale the whiners want. And then we wonder why companies do crunch so notoriously through the industry. Sad.

[ScootaKuH]

There's no need to abuse anyone over the delay of a game. People need to get some perspective on life tbh and grow up.

[VTKC]

Do they want a repeat of cyberpunk? Idiot plebs

[InUrFoxHole]

Just to be balanced.. are we 100% that the tweet is wrong?

[raiden_188]

I'd rather the game be polished and delayed than be buggy and released.

[jdoe]

literally, no one is upset about the delay, only complete idiots. This is a total straw man.
People are GREATLY disappointed the game is cross-gen and this is the real topic we should be discussing

[BlaqMagiq1]

Wow it's like they want a rushed game or something so they can bitch even more about how it's a rushed game.

[Mithan]

Receives abuse? wtf is wrong with people. Its a game, get over it. Don't you want it to be better?

[derek]

Stupid thing is, you almost never get blockbuster games like gow or hfw in the first year and a half of a consoles launch. These games are arriving real early.

[bangoskank]

I and many others fully support delays. Think most people were more upset about the game being cross-gen because we were hoping to see a true next gen God of War. Either way no one should threaten physical harm, especially over a video game. There are a lot of mentally stunted people out there who seriously need help.

[Bigman4k]

Seems like Sony was rushing to have God Of War 2 out sooner rather later a game like this needs to be done right and take years to that before being released

[DJStotty]

The messages that alanah Pearce received are shocking to say the least, at least she did not let the haters win and let it affect her and made it into a joke.

Its a game delay, these people need to get over it, how do you think we feel with Halo?