Taking an Axe to God of War Gameplay

Explore the gameplay design process behind the critically acclaimed God of War reboot in this 2019 GDC talk. Delve into Sony Santa Monica Studio's approach as Lead Gameplay Designer Jason McDonald shares insights on reimagining combat, camera work, and character interactions. Learn about the evolution of the axe-throwing mechanic, enemy design philosophy, and the integration of Atreus as a companion. Discover how the team balanced familiar elements with fresh innovations, tackled challenges in creating a fluid combat system, and developed a cohesive vision for the game's core mechanics. Gain valuable knowledge on iterative design, happy accidents in development, and the thought process behind key gameplay decisions that shaped this iconic action-adventure title.

Intro
The Combat Team
That Familiar Scent...
Zoom the Camera Back In
Vision Goal
Vision Book: Another Look
Deliberate
Camera Changes
Character Fantasy Goal
Axe Sticks
Animation Previs
Mission Accomplished!
What was missing?
What is God of War?
One Versus Many
The Blades
Frost
Designing Fluid Interfaces
The Axe Throw
Play With Your Enemies
What is the Player Choice?
The Setup Button
Normal Reactions
Setup Reactions
Non-Playful Reactions
Power for All
Rage Mode
Reinvent
Stamina System?
Lifebars
Enemy Domination
Use Meter to Grab?
A Stun System
Grabbing Again
Happy Accidents
Atreus
Takes Direction
Takes Initiative
One Happy Family