God of War®: Origins Collection Brings PSP® (Playstation®Portable) Classics to the Playstation®3 System in Stunning HD and 3D for the First Time

FOSTER CITY, Calif., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA) announced today the North American release of God of War®: Origins Collection, bringing the critically acclaimed PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) titles God of War®: Chains of Olympus and God of War®: Ghost of Sparta to the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system for the first time.  

God of War: Origins Collection features high-definition versions of both God of War®: Chains of Olympus and God of War®: Ghost of Sparta on a single Blu-ray Disc™ at 1080p resolution, along with full stereoscopic 3D support.  Both titles, which were originally developed for the PSP handheld entertainment system, have been digitally re-mastered with full-screen anti-aliased graphics running at 60 frames per second, delivering beautifully smooth gameplay, while allowing fans to complete the God of War experience on their PS3 system.  Just in time for the holiday season, God of War: Origins Collection offers a substantial value to PS3 users, including both award-winning games at an attractive price of $39.99 (MSRP).  

"We are thrilled to bring both of these PSP classics to PS3 for the first time," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA.  "God of War: Origins Collection adds another epic experience to our growing roster of 3D enabled titles and at a price of $39.99, it provides an incredible value for fans and newcomers, while allowing them the perfect opportunity to complete the God of War franchise on PS3."

Developed by Ready At Dawn® Studios, in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment's Santa Monica Studio, God of War: Origins Collection will include DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller compatibility with rumble support, Dolby 5.1 / DTS surround sound, and PlayStation®Network Trophy support that will challenge even the best of players.  The compilation will also include bonus content from God of War: Ghost of Sparta in the form of the God of War Game Directors Live round table video featuring a discussion with all five God of War Game Directors (David Jaffe – God of War, Cory Barlog – God of War II, Stig Asmussen – God of War III, Ru Weerasuriya – God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Dan Jan – God of War: Ghost of Sparta), a Legionnaire Kratos skin, and a Forest of the Forgotten combat arena—all on the same Blu-ray Disc.

The God of War franchise brings epic mythological battles to life with stunning graphics and an Olympic plot that puts Kratos, the series' main character, at the center of carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him.  In God of War: Origins Collection players will discover the dark past that continues to haunt the Spartan Warrior, and why he is forced to choose between his own personal redemption and saving the ancient world from destruction.  

God of War: Origins Collection is a single-player action-adventure that has an ESRB rating of "M" for Mature.  For more information about the ESRB, visit www.esrb.org.  For more information about the God of War franchise, visit www.godofwar.com.  

God of War: Chains of Olympus Storyline

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a prequel to the first installment of the franchise, and begins with Kratos embarking on a journey across mysterious new environments that are engulfed in darkness and completely untouched by mortals.  The Gods have been rendered powerless from the state of their world, leaving Kratos with only one choice – he must square off against the most vicious of demonic creatures from Greek Mythology and choose between saving his soul or the ancient world from imminent and total destruction.  Armed with multiple combat moves, magics, and weapons that complement existing favorites, players must lead the Spartan Warrior through foreboding environments, while unraveling story-driven puzzles and battling creatures from the dark underworld.  

Acclaim for God of War: Chains of Olympus

God of War: Chains of Olympus is currently the highest rated PSP title of all-time on Metacritic.com with a score of 91 and has been acknowledged by many of the videogame industry's top media outlets, including IGN.com (Best PSP Action Game, Best PSP Use of Sound, Best PSP Graphics Technology), Gamespy.com (PSP Gamer's Choice Award, PSP Game of the Year Award, PSP Action Game of the Year Award), PlayStation: The Official Magazine (PSP Game of the Year), and Game Informer (Handheld Game of the Month Award).

God of War: Ghost of Sparta Storyline

God of War: Ghost of Sparta picks up after God of War concludes, telling the story of Kratos' ascension to power as the God of War.  In his quest to rid himself of the nightmares that haunt him, he must embark on a journey that will reveal the origins of lost worlds, and finally answer long-awaited questions about his dark past, including details about his family not discussed in any other God of War game.  Armed with the deadly chained Blades of Athena, he will have to overcome armies of mythological monsters, legions of undead soldiers, and amazingly dangerous and brutal landscapes throughout his merciless quest.

Acclaim for God of War: Ghost of Sparta

God of War: Ghost of Sparta was acknowledged by many of the videogame industry's top media outlets at E3 2010, including Kotaku.com (Best PSP Game), Game Critics (Best Handheld Game), G4TV's  X-Play (Best Handheld Game), Machinima.com (Best Handheld Game), GameTrailers TV (Best PSP Game), GameSpy.com (PSP Game of Show), Game Informer (Best Handheld Game), and IGN.com (Best PSP Game).  The title boasts a Metacritic.com score of 86 and has received rave reviews from various leading industry and general consumer media outlets, including PlayStation: The Official Magazine (10/10), Game Informer (9.5/10), IGN.com (9.5/10), GameTrailers.com (9.4/10), and the New York Post (A+).

About Ready At Dawn Studios LLC

Founded in 2003 and based in Irvine, Calif., Ready At Dawn is an independent, premier game development studio.  Having pushed the boundaries of the platforms they have developed for, the studio is best known for its critically and commercially acclaimed titles God of War: Chains of Olympus, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, and Daxter, all available for the PSP system.

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. © Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.  God of War is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.  © Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.

SOURCE Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC