God of War 4: Official Name, Release Date, and Ragnarök

Anyone who has watched Kratos swing the Leviathan Axe for the first time has probably wondered: why is everyone calling it God of War 4 when the box just says God of War? The confusion is understandable, and it points to a naming riddle that makes the 2018 game one of the most talked-about entries in the series. This guide sorts out the official title, its place in the franchise timeline, and what actually happened during the five years that brought Kratos to Midgard.

Official Title: God of War (2018) · Developer: Santa Monica Studio · Release Date (PS4): April 20, 2018 · Metacritic Score: 94/100 · Platforms: PS4, PC

What is God of War 4 called?

The game that fans and media often call God of War 4 is officially titled simply God of War. According to PlayStation’s official franchise page, the 2018 release carries no number. It is also referred to as God of War (2018) or God of War IV in secondary references to distinguish it from earlier entries.

Official title and why it’s not numbered

• Santa Monica Studio made a deliberate creative choice to drop the number, signaling a new direction for the series. Director Cory Barlog explained in a PlayStation interview that they wanted to mark the game as “a new beginning.”
• The subtitle “IV” appears only in internal documents and fan discussions; the retail box and digital storefronts use God of War without a numeral.

Common nicknames: God of War IV, God of War (2018)

• Fans and journalists often add “IV” or the year to avoid confusion with the 2005 original. The God of War Wiki lists both “God of War (2018)” and “God of War IV” as alternate titles.
• On platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, the game is listed as God of War with a release year in the metadata.

Avoiding confusion with God of War III

The 2010 game God of War III concluded the Greek saga. The 2018 title is a direct narrative continuation that jumps centuries forward and transplants Kratos into Norse mythology. PlayStation’s franchise page confirms it is the fourth main installment despite the missing number.

The implication: the missing numeral is not a bug — it’s an intentional reboot-branding move that lets new players jump in without feeling they missed three games.

Is there going to be a God of War 4?

In a sense, it already exists. The 2018 game is the fourth numbered chapter in the main series, following God of War (2005), God of War II (2007), and God of War III (2010). No separate game titled “God of War 4” is in development.

The 2018 game is already God of War 4 in the series chronology

• The PlayStation timeline lists God of War (2005), God of War II, God of War III, and then God of War (2018) as the chronological order.
• Counting spin-offs and prequels, it is the eighth overall release (God of War Wiki – installment count).

No separate ‘God of War 4’ in development

• Santa Monica Studio has moved directly to God of War Ragnarök (2022) as the sequel. No project bearing the number 4 is planned.
• Fans informally call Ragnarök “God of War 5,” but Sony marketing uses the subtitle only.

The pattern: the franchise skipped a numerical title to emphasize a fresh start, and the next game followed the same branding strategy.

Is God of War 4 and Ragnarök the same?

No, they are two separate games. God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök form a two-part narrative arc within Norse mythology. The table below highlights the key differences.

Four major categories, one pattern: Ragnarök expands every system without reinventing the core.

The pattern: both games earned identical scores, but Ragnarök delivers a denser, more varied experience. For players who enjoyed the first, the sequel is a must-play.

Is God of War Egypt coming?

Rumors of Kratos traveling to Egypt have circulated for years. Cory Barlog told IGN in 2018 that Egyptian mythology is on his personal wish list, but he emphasized that no development plans exist. Santa Monica Studio has not made any official announcement regarding an Egypt-set title.

Speculation about future settings after Norse saga

• The Norse saga appears to conclude with Ragnarök. Post-credits scenes and developer comments suggest the series could move to another pantheon.
• Egyptian and Japanese mythologies are the most fan-requested settings.

Developer comments on possible mythologies

• Barlog and senior staff have consistently stated they are “exploring ideas” but have no concrete plans (IGN).
• No gameplay footage, concept art, or trademarks hint at an Egypt game.

What game took 9 years to make?

The common claim that “God of War 4 took 9 years to make” is actually about the gap between releases. God of War III launched in March 2010; God of War (2018) arrived in April 2018 — a gap of roughly eight years, often rounded to nine by fans.

The development gap between God of War III and God of War (2018)

• After God of War III, Santa Monica Studio worked on other projects (including God of War: Ascension in 2013).
• Development of the 2018 game began in 2013, according to the God of War Wiki.
• That means the actual production time was about five years — not nine.

Why the gap felt so long

• The franchise had no mainline release between 2010 and 2018, and the soft reboot required building a new engine, new combat system, and new world.
• Director Cory Barlog noted in the PlayStation video that the team needed time to reinvent the series tone.

The trade-off: the five-year development cycle produced a critically acclaimed game that revitalized the franchise, proving that long development can pay off.

God of War (2018) — Full timeline

From the end of the Greek saga to the start of the Norse sequel, here are the key milestones.

• March 2010 – God of War III released on PlayStation 3 (IMDb).
• 2013 – Development of the next God of War begins at Santa Monica Studio (God of War Wiki).
• June 2016 – First teaser trailer shown at E3 for the untitled project.
• April 20, 2018 – God of War (2018) released for PlayStation 4 (PlayStation).
• January 14, 2022 – Windows version released on Steam and Epic Games Store (God of War Wiki).
• November 9, 2022 – God of War Ragnarök released (PlayStation).

Why this matters: the eight-year gap between III and the 2018 game reset expectations for the franchise. Without that pause, we might never have seen Kratos in Midgard.

Developer quotes

“We wanted to make it clear that this is a new beginning.”

— Cory Barlog, director of God of War (2018), speaking on the decision to drop the numeral (PlayStation interview)

“We are always exploring new mythologies, but nothing to announce.”

— Santa Monica Studio, addressing future settings (IGN interview, 2020)

Bottom line

The game you call God of War 4 is officially God of War (2018), the fourth mainline entry that rebooted the series in Norse mythology. Its sequel, Ragnarök, continues the story without changing the formula fundamentally. For fans waiting for Kratos to set sail for Egypt, the message is clear: don’t hold your breath until an official announcement lands. Play the 2018 game first — it’s the only “God of War 4” you’ll ever need.

Related reading: The Lord of the Rings – Books Movies Timeline Guide · The Last of Us Season 2

Fans often wonder why the game is called God of War (2018) rather than the expected numbered title, and a closer look at the naming puzzle of God of War (2018) reveals how the reboot deliberately abandoned the old numbering system.

Frequently asked questions