The God of War TV Series: A First Look That Raises Eyebrows
The recent reveal of the God of War TV series' first look image has sparked a heated online debate, with fans and critics alike expressing their thoughts. David Jaffe, the creator of the beloved video game series, has now shared his honest opinion, and it's a doozy!
Some viewers compared the image to an AI-generated deepfake, while others found it lacking in production value, akin to cosplay. The choice of actors, Ryan Hurst as Kratos and Callum Vinson as Atreus, also drew criticism. But here's where it gets controversial: Jaffe, the man behind the games, has a different take.
In a YouTube video, Jaffe called the image "dumb" and "terrible," questioning the decision to release it as a first impression. However, he remains confident in the show's potential due to the involvement of renowned showrunner Ronald D. Moore, known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek Deep Space Nine, and Cory Barlog, the chief developer of the God of War games.
"It's so dumb, but let's be clear," Jaffe began. "This image is terrible, and Ron Moore is an incredible talent. I have no doubts the show will be good. Cory's involvement is a huge plus. I'm not worried about the show's quality, but this image... it's just a dumb f***ing image."
Jaffe also addressed the cryptic social media post by Ryan Hurst, the actor portraying Kratos. Hurst's Instagram post, "Don't believe everything you see on the internet, kids," left many fans wondering. Jaffe questioned why Amazon Prime Video released such an image, especially considering it was an official release.
"Kratos' pose and expression in the image are just stupid," Jaffe said. "It's like they're trying to focus on the father-son story, but at the expense of making Kratos look like he's... well, let's just say it's not a flattering look."
As for Atreus, Jaffe acknowledged the need for a younger actor to age with the series, but he found the character's appearance in the image questionable. "His hair looks like it's full of product, and the way he's holding the bow is just weird. It's like he's a confused little boy."
But the most offensive part, according to Jaffe, is the styrofoam rock placed between Kratos and Atreus. "In a world of advanced CG and AI, this rock looks like something from a hobby store. It's the lack of lighting that makes it so terrible."
Despite his criticism of the image, Jaffe remains optimistic about the show's future. "I'm sure the show will be fine. Ron Moore and Cory Barlog are talented individuals. I'm just confused about the decision to release this particular image."
The God of War TV series is currently in production in Vancouver, with a two-season order. While we wait for its release, check out our interview with Ronald D. Moore, where he discusses his vision for the series. And don't miss our story on the rumored next God of War game from Sony Santa Monica.
Image credit: Amazon Prime Video.
What do you think of Jaffe's take on the first look image? Do you agree with his assessment, or do you think the show has potential despite the initial backlash? Let us know in the comments!
