Santa Monica Studio is commemorating 20 years of the iconic God of War franchise with an array of special releases, updates, and collectibles. From its humble beginnings in 2005 to becoming one of gaming’s most celebrated franchises, God of War has carved an unprecedented legacy in the industry. To honor this milestone, the developers are giving back to fans with free in-game content, merchandise collections, art exhibitions, and special sales. Join us on this journey through the decade-spanning celebrations that pay homage to Kratos’s epic adventures across Greek and Norse mythologies.
The Dark Odyssey Collection: Free In-Game Update
On March 20th, all God of War Ragnarök owners will receive a free update featuring the Dark Odyssey collection. This special armor set takes inspiration from the original working name of God of War (2005) and the iconic black and gold skin that appeared in God of War II as a reward for completing the game on God Mode difficulty. Players can access this collection from any Lost Items chest in the base game or automatically while in Valhalla. The update honors the franchise’s roots by bringing this classic aesthetic to the Norse saga, allowing longtime fans to experience a visual connection between Kratos’s Greek and Norse journeys.
Comprehensive Customization Options
The Dark Odyssey Collection doesn’t just include armor for Kratos—it provides a complete visual overhaul for nearly every aspect of gameplay. Players will receive Dark Odyssey appearances for all three of Kratos’s weapons (Leviathan Axe, Blades of Chaos, and Draupnir Spear), along with matching attachments for each. Companions haven’t been forgotten either, with special Dark Odyssey outfits for both Atreus and Freya. The collection even includes appearances for all six shield types, ensuring players can maintain the anniversary theme throughout their entire equipment set.
Enhanced Customization Features
Beyond just providing new appearances, the anniversary update introduces enhanced customization functionality. For the first time, players will be able to use the ‘Edit Appearance’ feature on weapon attachments and shield rönds, separating form from function. This highly requested feature allows for greater build diversity, as players can now select their preferred visual style independently from the stats and perks they want. This change represents Santa Monica Studio’s ongoing commitment to improving player experience, even years after a game’s initial release.
Anniversary Fan Kit: Digital Celebration
The celebration extends beyond the game itself with a comprehensive digital fan kit. Available from March 14th, this free collection includes anniversary-themed social media assets, banners, icons, and wallpapers for both desktop and mobile devices. PC players will receive special items in the Steam Points Shop starting March 20th, while PlayStation users can claim a free anniversary-themed PlayStation Network avatar. These digital collectibles allow fans to showcase their love for the franchise across all their platforms and devices.
Gallery Nucleus Exhibition: Artistic Tribute
From March 15th to 23rd, Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles will host a special God of War exhibition. This collaboration brings together new artwork inspired by the past twenty years of the franchise, featuring pieces from both current and former Santa Monica Studio developers. Visitors can view concept art from the games and unique memorabilia, celebrating the franchise’s legacy through visual art. The exhibition includes special works like the one from Associate Art Director Dela Longfish, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience the artistic journey behind the games.
Commemorative Book Set: Documenting the Journey
For those interested in the development history of the franchise, the God of War: 20th Anniversary Retrospective offers an unprecedented look behind the scenes. This two-volume book set chronicles the 20-year development journey with interviews from key developers, stories, insights, and art from throughout the series. Available for pre-order starting March 17th, this comprehensive retrospective provides fans with a deeper understanding of how these iconic games came to be, showcasing the human creativity behind Kratos’s divine adventures.
Limited Edition Art Prints: Capturing Iconic Moments
Santa Monica Studio has partnered with Cook and Becker to create a collection of new art prints focusing on key installments in the franchise. The first two pieces by artist Ollie Hoff capture pivotal moments from God of War (2005) and God of War (2018), bridging the Greek and Norse eras of the series through his distinctive artistic style. These limited edition prints, available for pre-order from March 18th, offer fans a chance to display museum-quality artwork celebrating two of the most significant chapters in the God of War saga.
Collectible Merchandise: From Plush to Vinyl
The anniversary celebrations include an impressive range of physical merchandise. Fangamer’s 67-inch Jörmungandr plush (available for pre-order March 19th) doubles as a puppet with a magnetized tongue that holds a miniature Leviathan Axe. Music enthusiasts can pre-order Laced Records’ massive 13-disc vinyl set (available March 20th) spanning the entire franchise, or individual LPs featuring the Greek saga soundtracks available on vinyl for the first time ever. For fashion-conscious fans, Insert Coin is releasing a collection of t-shirts (available March 21st) highlighting all nine games with special metallic gold logo designs on black fabric.
Anniversary Sales: Access to the Saga
Santa Monica Studio is ensuring that both new and returning players can experience Kratos’s journey during the celebrations. PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra members can access God of War Ragnarök at no additional cost through the Game Catalog, while God of War (2018) is available for Extra and Premium members, and God of War III Remastered for Premium members. PC players can purchase both God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök at discounted prices on Steam and the Epic Games Store until March 20th, making this anniversary the perfect time for newcomers to join the adventure or for veterans to experience the games on a new platform.
A Legacy of Fan Appreciation
At the heart of these celebrations is Santa Monica Studio’s gratitude toward the community that has supported God of War for two decades. The comprehensive anniversary offerings—from free in-game content to collectibles spanning various price points—demonstrate the studio’s commitment to honoring fans of all types. As stated in their message, they are “immeasurably grateful to have had the chance to build the legacy of this series with and for you, the fans of God of War.” This milestone isn’t just about looking back at past accomplishments but also serves as an invitation to join them for “many years to come,” hinting at the continuing adventures that may lie ahead for this beloved franchise.
