Award-Winning Franchise Rises Once Again With God of War: Ascension™, Exclusively For The PlayStation®3 (PS3™) System

FOSTER CITY, Calif., April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) announced today plans to release God of War: Ascension™, the newest installment of the multi-million unit selling God of War® franchise, exclusively for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.  Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) Santa Monica Studio, God of War: Ascension is a prequel that will show Kratos' emotional path of redemption, while detailing the rise of his rage to break free from Ares' bond.  Epic cinematic storytelling, visceral battles, and blockbuster moments will all be present, along with various enhancements, including a revamped combat system and a brand new online multiplayer mode that combines the brutal gameplay and large-scale battles that God of War is known for to create a competitive experience like never before.

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"The bar has been set quite high for this franchise as each God of War title succeeds in being better than the last," said Todd Papy, Game Director, God of War: Ascension, SCE WWS Santa Monica Studio.  "But, unlike previous releases, we're providing a deeper look into Kratos' tormented past and psyche that fans have not seen before.  Combined with refined gameplay, jaw-dropping visuals, and a fresh twist on competitive gaming with our new online multiplayer mode, I guarantee that God of War: Ascension will give fans what they have been eagerly waiting for, and much more."

For the first time ever in a God of War game, players can compete in online or offline multiplayer battles that combine the fierce combat and scale of the franchise with a unique gameplay experience.  Built off of the heart and soul of the single-player campaign, this brand new option can include up to eight players and offers a variety of different multiplayer modes, along with customizable avatar warriors with a range of weapons, armor, and more.

Utilizing state-of-the-art visual technologies, the Santa Monica Studio team has made significant strides to bring unmistakable realism to the gameplay experience.  God of War: Ascension will feature a revamped combat and weapon system, promptless mini-games, and new puzzle challenges, coupled with fluid, life-like characters, dynamic lighting effects, and world-changing scenarios that will truly bring Kratos and the environment around him to life.

Set in the realm of Greek mythology, God of War: Ascension is an epic adventure that allows players to take on the climactic role of the ex-Spartan warrior Kratos as he finds a way to break the blood oath that binds him to the god, Ares.  Six months after being tricked into killing his wife and child, a younger Kratos is sentenced to a life of madness with the Furies, caged in a titan sized prison for the living damned.  Fighting insanity, his will is tested to the limit as he seeks to break his bond and gain the clarity to seek revenge on Ares for his part in the death of his family.  Armed with double-chained blades, Kratos must take on mythology's darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest for redemption.

God of War: Ascension is an action-adventure game that offers an epic single-player story mode, as well as a deep, innovative multiplayer experience.  The title has an ESRB rating of "RP" for Rating Pending.  A release date has not been set yet.  For more information about the ESRB, visit www.esrb.org.  For more information about the God of War franchise, visit www.GodofWar.com.

Acclaim for the God of War Franchise

God of War releases have set the bar for the action-adventure genre and been acknowledged by some of the videogame industry's key media outlets, which include PlayStation: The Official Magazine (Editor's Choice Award), Game Informer (Action/Adventure Game of the Year and Handheld Game of the Month Award), GamePro (Editor's Choice Award), Electronic Gaming Monthly (Best PS2 Game), IGN.com (Editor's Choice Award and Game of the Year Award), and four nominations in the Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, including Overall Game of the Year and Console Game of the Year.  The franchise has also been awarded with several honors including several E3 Best of Show Awards (given by several online publications), numerous Game of the Year and Best Action Game Awards (given at Spike TV's Video Game Awards), Golden Joystick Awards, G-Phoria Awards, and more.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC

Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP, PSPgo and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com.

"PlayStation", "PSP" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks and "PS3" is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

©2012 Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.  God of War is a registered trademark and God of War: Ascension is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC