Director Brett Ratner (X-Men: The Last Stand, Rush Hour series) has been named as the director for the film adaptation of Sony's deity-slaying action series God of War.

The tidbit was tucked away in a press release for the next RoboCop film, to be directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by David Self. Under Self's name, MGM noted that he "wrote 'God of War' for Universal, to which Brett Ratner is attached to direct."

Rumors had previously circulated of Ratner's involvement with the God of War film. Self's past writing work include the Road to Perdition screenplay and Thirteen Days.

Little is known about the project, which is believed to follow game series protagonist Kratos as he seeks revenge against the Greek deities that betrayed his trust.

Thus far, three God of War games--two numbered entries on the PS2 and a PSP prequel--have been released, with Sony recently revealing the first media from God of War 3, which will eventually arrive on PlayStation 3.

A God of War-inspired track will be available as a free download on Thursday, June 5 for those that own the PlayStation 3 edition of Neversoft's Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

The tidbit was tucked away in a PlayStation Underground mailing from Sony (pictured left), with no additional details provided.

Though the pairing of Guitar Hero and Sony's god-slaughtering action series may seem a bit odd, developer Neversoft and Microsoft teamed for a similar promotion that had them giving away a free Halo theme for the Xbox 360 edition of GH3 last fall.

While the next iteration of the Activision-owned Guitar Hero series has been making headlines, Sony has been rather quiet on its plans for the God of War franchise. At last word, a PlayStation 3 entry was listed as "Coming Soon" within the instruction manual of the PSP God of War title, which arrived in March.

Ready at Dawn's PSP entry in the God of War series to stores today. Having recently completed the title, I'm here to tell you that it's pretty fun, if a little familiar.

It looks like the PlayStation 2 editions. It plays like the PlayStation 2 editions. And considering that the PSP is, well, portable, that's a pretty impressive feat.

But at the same time, the handheld title's similarities to the PlayStation 2 editions create some problems, especially for series veterans. While it's nice to have God of War on the go, it's hard to shake the feeling that you've played it all before. Keep reading...

SCE Santa Monica's PlayStation 3 entry in its deity slaughtering action series God of War is "coming soon," according an ad in the instruction manual for the upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP), which was delivered to Shack's Indiana branch this evening.

No additional details were provided on the title, which was hypothetically mentioned by God of War II (PS2) director Cory Barlog during a launch party for the sequel last spring, and then confirmed after Barlog left SCEA in the fall.

"If we were to do a God of War III [on PS3], then it would finish this massive story," Barlog said during the launch event. "We've always imagined God of War as a trilogy, but the PSP game very much ties into it."

The tease of another God of War title within the packaging of the series' latest entry continues a tradition that began with God of War II, the manual of which confirmed the long-rumored PSP edition. However, the God of War PS3 ad fails to specify a tentative date as the PSP one did.

Developed by Ready at Dawn with the participation of SCE Santa Monica staff, God of War: Chains of Olympus, the franchise's first PSP outing, ships to North American retailers on March 4.

Sony has announced a new PSP bundle that packages Ready at Dawn's upcoming God of War PSP title with a special edition of its PSP console.

The Limited-Edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack will be priced at $199.99, and include a copy of God of War: Chains of Olympus, a Deep Red PSP emblazoned with the visage of Kratos himself, and a few things Sony had laying around the house--namely a Superbad UMD and a voucher for the PlayStation Network title Syphon Filter: Combat Ops.

The bundle goes on sale in June, so those wanting to pick up a PSP before the March 4 release date of Chains of Olympus will be facing a dilemma. Either way, check out a few shots of the Kratos-branded PSP below.

New gameplay footage from the action game God of War: Chains of Olympus is now available on FileShack. Ready at Dawn's second PSP title is due out March 4.

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Sony released some new screenshots of Ready at Dawn Studios' PSP title God of War: Chains of Olypmus today. And by some, we mean a lot.

With 75 images to peruse, these should keep you entertained until the March 4 release date of the Kratos-starring prequel. And if you click fast enough, it actually looks like a video. (Hint: Click in reverse for a secret message from Satan.)

Santa Ana, California-based developer Ready at Dawn has specialized in making handheld-only spinoff titles to big budget Sony franchises, but the studio may be working on a presumably original console project soon. The company developed the Daxter (PSP) spinoff to Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter series, and is responsible for the upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus (PSP), based on Sony's God of War franchise.

"This team is ready to move onto something pretty big, and we've been planning it for quite a while, and this team needs to show what they're capable of doing on next-gen or current-gen, which ever word you want to call it," God of War: Chains of Olympus director Ru Weerasuriya told 1UP.

Weerasuriya is most likely referring to the new intellectual propety the company mentioned when it hired former Naughty Dog creative director Dan Arey. Ready at Dawn is also known to be porting Clover Studio's fanciful action-adventure game Okami (PS2, Wii) to the Wii.

God of War II (PS2) director Cory Barlog will leave his position at SCEA Santa Monica soon, a Sony rep told 1up today. In mentioning Barlog's resignation, the Sony rep also confirmed the company's plans for a God of War III on PlayStation 3, presumably without Barlog's assistance.

"We can confirm that Cory Barlog, Game Director for God of War II, is leaving the SCEA SM Studio and we are grateful for his work and creative vision for the critically acclaimed God of War franchise," the spokesperson told 1up. "Moving forward, we are confident in the God of War team, as they are an extremely talented group of people that are passionate about the franchise and dedicated to creating even more epic content with God of War: Chains of Olympus for the PSP and God of War III for PS3."

It's unknown if Barlog and Sony will continue to collaborate, as former SCEA Santa Monica developer and God of War (PS2) creator David Jaffe will with Jaffe's new Sony endorsed studio Eat, Sleep, Play. In an interview with Shacknews earlier this year, Barlog indicated he was happy at SCEA Santa Monica, saying the God of War team was "one of the best teams I've ever worked with" and that he'd like to "continue to make many, many games" with his fellow developers there.

The upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus for PSP is in development by Daxter (PSP) developer Ready at Dawn Studios and will retail in spring 2008.

Demos of the chain-wielding Katros' PSP debut, Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus, are now shipping out to those who signed up for a copy earlier this year.

"As I type these words, legions of carrier Harpies are being dispatched to deliver the sweet UMD goodness that is God of War: Chains of Olympus – Special edition: Battle of Attica Demo Disc...otherwise know as GOW: COO –SE:BoADD," God of War II director and Chains of Olympus creative director Cory Barlog posted on the official PlayStation blog. "Good god...that is a freaking mouthful, even typing this abbreviated version makes me tired."

The recently delayed God of War: Chains of Olympus now arrives March 4, 2008. For more on the title, dig into our interview and hands-on impressions.

GameSpot has been updated with a briefGod of War: Chains of Olympus preview, checking out a recent build of the PSP action game.

Developer Ready at Dawn told GameSpot today the PSP iteration of God of War will retail March 4, 2008. The date confirms rumors of a delay from the originally planned fourth quarter 2007 release given to Shacknews in an interview earlier this year.

In addition to the demo disc being sent to those who signed up for it earlier this year, the developer revealed that a second UMD demo of the title will be made available. Including gameplay from the game's Cave of Eos section as well as "making-of" footage, Ready at Dawn expects the first demo to ship to selected gamers this month. The other demo, which will not contain the original's special features, will presumably be made available via certain retailers later this year.

The studio has already begun work on a separate original IP and hired on Naughty Dog vet Dan Arey as a new creative director. Shacknews contacted Sony for more information on the delay, but has not yet received a response. To read more about God of War: Chains of Olympus, check out Chris Faylor's aforementioned interview with the Ready at Dawn team.

Following up on our previous coverage of Kratos' first PSP outing, I go hands on with Ready at Dawn's God of War: Chains of Olympus. Check out my intitial impressions.

The graphics appeared nearly identical to those of SCE Santa Monica's original God of War on PlayStation 2, complete with all the brutal graphics, stage-altering boss battles, and detailed environments for which the series is known...Within seconds of picking up the PSP, I was pulling off familiar combos, swinging Kratos' chains overhead, throwing enemies up into the air and then slamming them back down.
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Several new features on Computer & Video Games today, including this preview of God of War: Chains of Olympus. It offers hands-on impressions.

Amidst all the commotion of Sony's Gamers Day last week, I was able to corner God of War: Chains of Olympus creative director Cory Barlog, also the director of God of War II, and game director Ru Weerasuriya to discuss Ready at Dawn's upcoming PSP version of the popular PS2 series. The interview covered a wide range of topics, from the untapped power of the PSP to the Olsen twins and sacrificial goats, so be sure to check it out. ... Read more

SCE Studios Santa Monica's highly anticipated PS2 action sequel God of War II: The End Begins goes on sale today, and to celebrate the occasion Sony held a launch party last night at the Metreon center in San Francisco. Present at the event was game director Cory Barlog, who took the reins from David Jaffe following the first game. I sat down with Barlog for a chat that ended up spanning a surprising range of topics. Barlog gave his thoughts on his team, his job, David Jaffe, Secret Agent Barbie, Kim Possible, Barbie Horse Adventures, and how God of War protagonist Kratos became a little more focused in combat.

The previous--and first--man to hold Barlog's position on the God of War series, David Jaffe, remains firmly associated with the games in the public gaming eye, with many unaware that Jaffe has passed on his director position for the franchise. Barlog gave his thoughts on the man, who seems, at least as much as is possible in the video game industry, to have become larger than life.

"That guy is a character, man. He's his own...thing. His own man, with the crazy talking thing he does," Barlog laughed. "And that's awesome; it's his personality. He and I are totally different. I talk sometimes as well. Maybe not as frequently as he does."

What about dealing with the rather sizeable legacy left with God of War?

"I don't think I've stepped out of Jaffe's shadow yet," Barlog reflected. "People still say, 'God of War II, man! It looks awesome, Jaffe. Jaffe, You did a great job.' They're like, 'Jaffe, have my children!' I'm still in that shadow, and I don't think I'll be out of it for a while."

Plus, in case you missed it, during the event Barlog also revealed that rumble is to come to PS3.

Outspoken Sony Computer Entertainment America designer David Jaffe, best known for the acclaimed God of War (PS2) and the Twisted Metal franchise, has stated on his blog that he will be steering away from storytelling in his video game projects, despite still enjoying playing games with a strong emphasis on the single-player narrative experience. "I think even the best ones feel forced," he said, referring to games such as Metal Gear Solid or God of War that rely heavily on narrative devices borrowed from film or literature--"like they are not speaking the true language of video games."

To me, most (all?) story based games are like taking a trumpet and playing it a little, but also using the brass exterior of the trumpet to carve a story onto a wall. Sure you can do it, and you may even have a nice story scratched onto the wall when you are done. But it’s not really what the trumpet is for and there are a hell of a lot easier ways to write a story. Plus, you’ve got this nice, shiny trumpet- which is now all scratched up- just sitting there, begging to be played, begging to be used as it was intended.
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For the stuff I am directly working on, I am trying to take steps towards more pure game experiences and see what I can do with those. I have to say, I’m having a blast so far.

"I don’t want to tell stories with my games anymore," said Jaffe frankly, admitting that while he is spending plenty of time playing other people's story games, he is also spending more of his time than ever on "casual" games as well as genres such as racing and sports, which put less reliance on any kind of built-in narrative. While Jaffe recently stated that God of War will likely become a trilogy, he is no longer the creative lead on the franchise; rather, it is in the hands of designer Cory Barlog from Jaffe's former studio SCE Santa Monica.

Presumably, Jaffe's next game, publically nothing more than the codename "HL," will be quite distinct from the very presentation-focused cinematic nature of God of War. "Now I just want to do it in a way that celebrates what makes video games great, versus taking elements from other media and trying to squish those elements into a product that- if you do everything right- MIGHT just have one tenth the emotional impact as what you can get from more traditional media (like film, tv, or books).

Jaffe's comments encapsulate a long running debate regarding the nature of games, and the appropriateness of narrative and other generally non-interactive elements as opposed to a stronger focus on gameplay. Perhaps not coincidentally, Jaffe along with gameplay-uber-alles designer Will Wright, well known Epic designer CliffyB, and former ION Storm designer Harvey Smith, recently participated in a developer roundtable which touched on, among other things, that very issue.

Variety reports that Universal Pictures has secured the movie rights to God of War, the critically acclaimed Playstation 2 action game. Mosaic Media Group's Charles Roven and Alex Gartner are producing. Mosaic previously produced Elf and Scooby-Doo 2, as well as the upcoming The Brothers Grimm. No writer or director is attached to the project yet.

In the game, players can unleash the power of the Gods and embark on a merciless quest as Kratos, an ex-Spartan warrior driven to destroy Ares, the God of War. Armed with lethal double chainblades, Kratos must carve through mythology's darkest creatures-- including Medusa, Cyclops, the Hydra and more, while solving intricate puzzles in breathtaking environments. Driven by pure revenge, nothing can stop Kratos from achieving absolution.