God of War Composer Open to Franchise Return

The composer behind the critically acclaimed God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök soundtracks has indicated he is not finished with the franchise. Bear McCreary, in a recent interview, revealed he would be open to scoring the upcoming television adaptation for Prime Video.

This development comes as the series, currently in development by Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions, moves forward under the guidance of showrunner Ronald D. Moore. McCreary's potential return would bridge the gap between the interactive storytelling of the games and the linear narrative of television.

McCreary's comments suggest a notable evolution in his view of the franchise. Previously, the composer had described his work on the games as feeling 'complete.' However, his recent statements indicate a willingness to revisit the world of Midgard and beyond.

Speaking exclusively about his work on the Disney+ series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, McCreary was asked if his time with God of War was truly done. His response opens the door for a continued collaboration.

"I still feel that I am very proud of the work that I've done (with God of War). And if there were an opportunity to expand upon it, I would be open to that."

The upcoming series will stream on Prime Video and is expected to follow the narrative arc of the 2018 game, tracking Kratos and Atreus as they journey to spread the ashes of their late wife and mother.

McCreary emphasized that his work on God of War stands apart from his extensive portfolio, which includes scores for Lord of the Rings, Halo, Star Wars, and Marvel. He noted the unique challenge of adapting music to player interaction.

The composer highlighted the team's commitment to pushing technical boundaries. In God of War Ragnarök, the audio team implemented a strict rule regarding musical continuity.

• The 'Do No Harm' Rule: Melodies must complete themselves, even during combat.
• Partner-Specific Themes: Music changes based on who the player's companion is.
• Completion Logic: A 'big splash' sound effect plays, but the underlying melody finishes before fading out.

McCreary explained that while the concept sounds simple, the execution was complex. He noted that achieving this feature required thousands of man-hours from a team of half a dozen people. He also expressed pride in the depth of the score, claiming that no musical piece he wrote for the games or DLC has gone undiscovered by fans.

While the God of War franchise remains a focal point, McCreary's ambitions extend to other corners of the gaming industry. He expressed a specific desire to branch out into a genre he has not yet tackled.

McCreary identified a strong interest in writing music for rhythm games. He cited his deep appreciation for the medium and his desire to collaborate on experimental projects.

"I would love to do something like that. I'm always looking for interesting projects, interesting people to collaborate with."

He specifically praised the indie title Stray, noting he has played it through seven or eight times. McCreary believes that the indie and AA gaming sectors offer significant opportunities for experimentation that differ from large-scale AAA productions.

The landscape of the God of War franchise appears to be expanding, with its original composer potentially returning to maintain musical continuity across media.

• Television Adaptation: The Prime Video series is being developed by Sony Pictures Television.
• Composer Availability: Bear McCreary is 'open to' scoring the TV show.
• Technical Mastery: Ragnarök's audio required thousands of hours to implement complex musical rules.
• Future Interests: McCreary is actively seeking work in rhythm games and indie titles.

As the Prime Video series continues development, the involvement of key creative figures like McCreary could prove vital in capturing the atmospheric depth that defined the games.