God of War Laufey Delayed to May 20, 2027: What It Means for Pre-Orders and the Collector Box

PS5 owners who circled February 16 on the calendar will have to wait a little longer. Santa Monica Studio has delayed God of War Laufey to May 20, 2027, a slip of just over three months. The studio announced the move on its official X account on November 4, saying the extra time will go toward finishing touches and pushing the game to its full potential.

The delay leaves a few loose ends for anyone who has already pre-ordered, especially fans holding a $149.99 Collector Box. Here's what we know, what Sony hasn't confirmed yet and why the new date might not be bad news.

The New Release Date at a Glance

The February date was only confirmed this summer, at San Diego Comic-Con in July, so Laufey held it for a little over three months before it moved. The game is still a PS5 exclusive, and Santa Monica Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment remain developer and publisher.

Why It Was Delayed

The official explanation is short. In its statement, Santa Monica Studio said it had decided to move the game to May 20 and would use the time for polish, thanking fans for their excitement and patience. It didn't name any specific problem, and there's no sign the game's scope or story has changed.

That fits the studio's track record. God of War Ragnarök also slipped, from 2021 into 2022, and arrived as one of the best-reviewed games of its generation. A three-month delay this close to launch usually points to bug fixing, performance work and balancing rather than major rework, though Santa Monica hasn't gone into detail.

Sony's own financial results, published on November 5, landed a day after the announcement. Coverage of the earnings supplement reported the PS5 at 97.9 million units shipped and Marvel's Wolverine at 2.4 million copies sold, and Gamereactor says the supplement also reflects the Laufey delay. Sony didn't add any further explanation there.

What Happens to Pre-Orders?

This is the part Sony hasn't spelled out. The delay announcement doesn't mention pre-orders, editions, bonuses or refunds. Here's where things stand based on what has been reported:

• Standard and Digital Deluxe pre-orders went live on September 29. Nothing in the announcement suggests they'll be canceled, and digital pre-orders normally carry over to the new release date automatically. If you'd rather not wait, check your store's cancellation options.
• Pre-order bonuses – the Last Wish Armor Set, the Phranque Golden Leaves Appearance and an in-game resource pack – haven't been changed.
• Retail listings may lag behind. Gagadget reported that GameStop's Standard Edition listing went unavailable after the news, while some other retailers were still showing the February date.

And the Collector Box?

The God of War Laufey Collector Box ($149.99 / £129.99 / €149.99) is where reports disagree. It contains an 8-inch light-up statue of Faye with her companions Phranque and Rue, a 51-card Oracle Deck and a mini artbook – and no copy of the game. It was set to ship from PlayStation Direct on February 16, alongside the original launch.

Some outlets say it will now ship alongside the game on May 20. Others note that Sony hasn't said whether the box keeps its February date or moves with the game. Until PlayStation Direct confirms, treat the shipping date as open. If you ordered one, keep an eye on your order page and email for updates.

A Quick Refresher: What Is God of War Laufey?

Laufey was revealed at the June 2026 State of Play with more than 20 minutes of gameplay. You play as Faye – Laufey, Kratos's late wife and Atreus's mother – in the Everywhen, an afterlife realm where gods from many mythologies end up after death. Her goal is to protect her family from beyond the grave, and the story runs alongside God of War (2018) and Ragnarök rather than after them.

Combat is a clear change of pace from Kratos. Faye is faster and far more mobile, mixing ground and aerial combos with a fast sword and the Serpent Bow. Santa Monica Studio has also confirmed that a later God of War game will put Kratos back in the lead, so Laufey is a bridge in the larger saga rather than a side story.

Why It Matters

February 2027 was looking crowded. Fable, Persona 4 Revival and Metro 2039 were all reported for that window, and Laufey would have competed with them for attention. A late-May launch puts more distance between them and gives Sony a big first-party release in spring.

For players, the trade-off is simple: three more months of waiting in exchange for a more polished game. Santa Monica has earned some trust here. The bigger question for now is practical – what Sony will say about Collector Box shipping and retail pre-orders.