Deborah Ann Woll is brushing aside the online criticism that erupted when Sony announced her starring role in God of War Laufey, the upcoming PS5 exclusive spin-off that shifts focus away from Kratos. Speaking at Florida Supercon last weekend, the actress expressed confidence in the project despite vocal pushback from portions of the gaming community.
"I feel totally unbothered," Woll told TikTok user quinnphobic at the convention. "Because I just know it's great. It's okay if it's not your cup of tea, but in no universe is it bad."
The backlash began immediately after developer Santa Monica Studio unveiled the game during a State of Play presentation last month. While many players welcomed news of the spin-off, others voiced frustration with specific elements, including the cube-shaped sidekick voiced by Jack Quaid, the combat system, and Woll's casting as Faye, who becomes the protagonist rather than a supporting character.
Woll, known for roles in Daredevil and True Blood, attributed her lack of concern partly to staying off social media. "I'm not on social media, so that helps," she said. "Genuinely, I thought I was going to be much more offended by it, but I'm not."
Critics of the online criticism have suggested much of the negativity stems from sexism rather than legitimate gameplay concerns. The gaming community has divided over whether the game deserves skepticism or outright rejection.
What We Know About God of War Laufey
Sony's initial gameplay reveal offered 20 minutes of footage showcasing Faye's combat abilities. Rather than wielding Kratos' signature Leviathan Axe, her moveset features magical powers and a sword. Director Ariel Lawrence and the Santa Monica Studio team have previewed enough to suggest a distinctly different experience from the mainline series.
The concept for a Faye-focused God of War game has been in development for years. Director Cory Barlog, who helmed the 2018 reboot, discussed preliminary ideas with the team nearly a decade before the official announcement.
The game is currently slated for 2027 on PS5 with no exact release window announced. While Kratos will make at least one appearance, Sony has reassured fans that the original protagonist will return in future God of War projects, suggesting this spin-off is not replacing the established franchise.
Author Emily Chen: "Woll's confidence feels earned, but Sony's still got plenty of work to do to convince the skeptics that this isn't a one-off side project that dilutes what made the series resonate in the first place."
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