"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.