The fans spoke and we listened.
For those that recall the God of War survey conducted earlier this year, an overwhelming amount of the community suggested the PlayStation 2 experiences of Kratos be brought forth to the PlayStation 3.
Thanks to your feedback, we are excited to announce the God of War Collection for this Holiday Season. Now fans and newcomers to the series can experience the epic journey of God of War and God of War II in 720p HD form. Both titles have been remastered with anti-aliased graphics, running at 60 frames per second for a smooth gameplay experience, only on the PS3 system. Additionally, the Blu-ray Disc compilation will bring the PlayStation Network (PSN) trophy support to the franchise for the very first time.
This is your chance to experience God of War is its true form before the chaos of God of War III hits store shelves come March 2010.
Here’s the full press release:
SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA ANNOUNCES
GOD OF WAR® COLLECTION, A NEW COMPILATION OFFERING FOR PLAYSTATION®3
Exclusive God of War® and God of War® II Blu-ray Disc Compilation
Available This Holiday Season
FOSTER CITY, Calif., September 1, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today a new and exclusive PlayStation®3 (PS3™) offering for the critically acclaimed God of War® franchise, God of War® Collection. Scheduled for release this holiday season, God of War Collection will feature reworked versions of both God of War® and God of War® II on a single Blu-ray Disc™ at full 1280 x 720 resolution. Both critically acclaimed games, which were originally developed for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, have been remastered with anti-aliased graphics running at 60 frames per second for a smooth gameplay experience on the PS3 system. Additionally, the Blu-ray Disc compilation will bring PlayStation®Network (PSN) trophy support to the franchise for the first time (included for both games). God of War Collection offers substantial value to PS3 consumers, the compilation of both best-selling games costing just $39.99 MSRP.
Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment, Santa Monica Studio, the God of War series brings epic mythological battles to life with stunning graphics and an elaborate plot that puts Kratos, the triology’s main character, at the center of carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him. God of War® III is scheduled for release exclusively on the PS3 in March 2010.
“We are excited today to announce God of War Collection,” said Scott Rohde, vice president, Worldwide Studios America. “Our fans spoke and we listened; thanks to our partnership with Bluepoint Games, fans and newcomers to the series can experience the epic God of War and God of War II saga in stunning 720p on PS3. This Blu-ray Disc compilation brings Kratos to PS3 even earlier than expected.”
SCEA – God of War®Collection Announced for PS3
God of War Storyline
Set in the dark world of ancient Greek mythology, players take on the role of Kratos, a Spartan warrior. Plagued by the nightmares of his past, the ash covered warrior would do anything to be free of his debt to the Gods and the memories that haunt him. For ten years he has labored for Olympus, now on the verge of losing all hope, the Gods have given him one last task. Destroy Ares, the God of War. Armed with the deadly chained Blades of Chaos, Kratos will have to overcome armies of mythological monsters, legions of undead soldiers, and amazingly dangerous and brutal landscapes.
God of War II Storyline
God of War saw Kratos, a mortal warrior, set upon an epic quest to dethrone a God. But his journey did not end there. In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his Olympus throne, as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed… his fate. God of War II sets an epic stage for a devastating mythological war to end all wars.
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 publications, 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 Game 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, PSX Extreme Awards and the 3rd Annual G-Phoria Awards, and by PAX, GameZone, GameDaily, GameSpot), to name just a few.
-more-
SCEA – God of War®Collection Announced for PS3
About Bluepoint Games, Inc.
Bluepoint Games, Inc. is a highly experienced team of seasoned gaming industry veterans whose work includes six titles that have sold over a million copies each. Bluepoint Games’ first title, Blast Factor™ (2006), made exclusively for the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, was one of the first titles available at the launch of the PlayStation®Store. Located in Austin, Texas, they continue their mission to produce high quality video games with a lasting appeal that are fun to play.
For more information, email info@bluepointgames.com.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, 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 PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
# # #
Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com.
PlayStation”, , “PSP”, “PS one” and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks and “PS3” is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. God of War is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. © Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Blast Factor is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Developed by Bluepoint Games. (c) 2006 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
What about the PSP GOW game? You going to have that in the collection? That was also an awesome game and part of the storyline!
While you guys are tinkering with the graphics, can you adjust the difficulty in that Bone Tower Climb in GOW1? :D
This is great news i love the GOW series even though i played these two games before it would be nice to revisit them at 720p resolution with trophy support all on one blu ray disc for 40 bucks (its like going back to and old flame who u still have feelings for that got sexier and better looking after not seeing her for awhile and is willing to pay half the bill) where do i pre order .
P.S. SONY take note at all the positve comments and do the same for ico , shadow of the colossus MGS2 and 3 and other top tier ps2 games .
This is fantastic news!
Just don’t anybody tell John Koeller, lest he get the idea that gamers actually WANT to play ‘last gen’ PS2 titles on their non-backwards compatible PS3’s. Wouldn’t want to mess with the man’s Reality Distortion Field and tin foil hat.
Note to John K. and Jack T. : consumers seem pretty smitten on the idea of playing PS2 titles on their PS3’s, even it they aren’t remixed with better graphics and trophy support. How’s about the BC emulator then?
This has 2 be one of the best things Sony has done 4 PS3 in a while. Now all they need is Killzone & a few other of the great games that made PS2 what it was, is, & forever will be.
Because honestly PS2 changed the gaming world with it’s huge selection of titles
This is really awesome, as I have never played any of the GoW games. So now that I am looking forward to GoW 3, I will be getting this day 1. I hope this is the beginning of other PS2 franchise getting a re-release and at the same time being remastered for the PS3. Hope to see a ICO + Shadow of the Colossus compilation before the release of the Last Guardian.
Thanks Sony for this fantastic news.
@Ratchet426:
I TOTALLY agree. I mean instead of using money 2 just put in BC emulator, they will put in money 2 remake games. Now i’m not saying this isn’t awsome. Because it is but it would still make probably about 80% of the PS community happier just 2 hav the emulator. Because honestly it’s a pain in my @ss wen i wnt 2 go & play a PS2 game because then i have 2 go & switch wires & all dat ish (hav a old tv so only 1 set of cables will work lol)
PLEASE do this with other PS2 franchises such as:
Jak and Daxter
Ratchet and Clank
etc
These games MADE the PS2, they deserve the same treatment!
thank you so much for the wonderful news! sony has my money this holiday season, definitely buying this!!
That’s awesome news!
Any release date set for Australia?
I’m ready for WAR!
I would like to second the vote for can we have Ico and SOTC get the same treatment? I would rebuy them at a good price.
truly truly amazing!
i love you sony
!!
SOLD!
@zooyork198
Yes, it does seem odd that they’d be so concerned about saving a few $ on BC hardware in the PS3, yet would spend the (presumably) large amount of time/effort/money to ‘remix’ two PS2 games to run them on PS3.
Now that I think of it, there has GOT to be some BC software emulation under the hood to get GoW1 and 2 running on the PS3. You don’t just re-render some textures and throw it onto a Cell processor and expect it to run.
So…. Let’s hope Sony decides to ‘product-ize’ the emulation engine they’ve obviously developed for GoW1&2 and make it available either in a firmware update or (much more likely) a PSN download.
I think a PS2 emulator available on PSN for $25 or so would be a reasonable compromise for everyone:
– Customers who really want BC can buy it for a small fee.
– Sony gets to wring some profit from their R&D effort AND sell some PS2 titles as DLC.
– John Koeller can remain curled up in the fetal position, sucking his thumb and dreaming of a world were PS3 owners only want to play PS3 games.
EPIC!!!!
And I agree doing the same for ICO and SOTC would be just as awesome.
It’ll be worth it, if only for the Trophy support. I can’t wait to unlock everything all over again. :D
Wow since my brother is gone with the ps3 i can’t play it anymore, but this along with uncharted 2 coming out might make me go out and buy a ps3 :)
so many comments, please tell me your reading sony
Sony, please make this happen with Ico & Shadow of the Colossus. SotC desperately needs an update running at a solid 60 FPS. Give us the good euro version of Ico we never saw in America too.
Team Ico deserves it, plus it would be great promotion for The Last Guardian!
I’m definitely going to have to look into this
best news ever, going to buy this first day and will replay for like maybe the 6th time and finish it with its HD glory!!!
i simply cant wait for the 3rd installment of god of war, ill just have to make my self busy with 1 and 2 before 3!
wow this is great news I have always wanted to get into the god of war series and now I can.
Metal Gear Solid 1,2,3 remastered for PS3 too PLEASE.
Wow this is great news! I’m so stoked!
This is incredible! I’am so getting the platium for all 3 games. ;)
SOLD!
ZOMG!!! Sony actually listened to the gamers!? No waii?!! GOW I & II in HD?! With the trophy support?! THE INTERNET IS A LIE!!
LOL!! Sorry for my reaction, but this is HUGE! Even deep down I didn’t believe they would actually take that survey seriously but WAY TO GO SONY!! Now there should be absolutely no reason for any self-respecting gamer to pick up a PS3 with this collector’s edition of one of the best action series’ in existence.
And it’s only $39.99?! Now that’s what you call a collector’s edition. I’m looking at you CRAPtivision.
This is the turning point for the PS3. Keep it up Sony!
I’m going to trade the PS2 versions in and get this.
Yes!! I hope it will also be bundled with GoW III.
AWESOME!
BTW, My PS3 YLOD’d on me last night. 40 gig/Nov. 2007 model.
Lame.
But this news makes me feel a little better.
god of war chains of olympus was the first gow game i played. and now i can play gow 1 and 2 before gow 3 comes out yes!
I just have one question, which I probably won’t get answered, but here goes anyway:
Will these two games (or three if you decide to include Chains of Olympus for a complete collection), be included in a “Special Edition” of God of War III, or some equivalent pack?
Since I already purchased the first 3 games, I would be more than a little upset if I found out that I bought these 2 only for them to come out AGAIN in another pack. This is a question that I really want answered as it impacts my decision to pre-order God of War III or not.
I’m hoping to not get a vague, marketing-speak answer here, but I’m not counting on it.
Good choice Sony! (please include Chains of Olympus in the collection) I’m also hoping for HD version of Shadow of the Colossus.
May the gods bless your souls.
Having never played a single God of War game, this is the perfect opportunity (especially with trophy support!! SERIOUSLY??!) This is such awesome news. You have my $40
When? is my only question.
I’ll be buying! Can’t say I wasted money on GOW1 when I got it free off the internet 2 years ago. XD
Cool! I’d love to see Ratchet and Clank get this treatment. A dream, I know.
Trophies Yo!!!
*head explodes*
Bam Bam sony a gwan madddd lol
Going to sell my PS2 versions to get this
Smart move.
Words arent enough to express such amazing excitement!!!!
I want this to happen for Shadow of the Colossus and ICO!
awesome
really, just awesome. redone versions of the games WITH trophies? wow. :D
Sony, you NEED to do this with ICO and Shadow of the Colossus as well, right before Last Guardian comes out.
DO IT
With momentum like this, SOny is poised to become the new leader of this generation of consoles.