Amazing God of War Ragnarok fan theory suggests the release date itself is tied to Norse mythology

God of War Ragnarok
(Image credit: Sony)

A God of War Ragnarok fan theory has suggested that the sequel's release date was influenced by the moon, and developer Santa Monica hasn't ruled it out. 

As this Twitter user has theorized, it's possible that God of War Ragnarok's release date was decided by the total lunar eclipse happening this month. If you weren't aware, a total lunar eclipse (also known as a 'Blood Moon') is the celestial event that sees the sun, the earth, and the moon align perfectly with each other. Due to this, the moon appears red in the sky, hence 'Blood Moon.'

So what's this got to do with God of War? Well, as explained in the tweet, in Norse mythology, it is believed that a total lunar eclipse happens when Sköll - a wolf that chases the sun - and Hati - a wolf who chases the moon - succeed in capturing the two. It's thought that when the moon turns red (Blood Moon), this signifies that the two have devoured the sun and the moon - which also means that Ragnarök has begun. 

And what date is the total eclipse due to take place this month? November 8. And when does God of War Ragnarok officially release? November 9. Although just a theory and probably just a huge coincidence, the game's developer Santa Monica Studio hasn't exactly debunked this theory after it quote retweeted the fan's theory and added three thinking face emojis to it. 

It looks like we'll have to figure this one out for ourselves for now as Sony thanks the universe for potentially the best marketing strategy it's ever accidentally had. Meanwhile, while we all anxiously wait just two more days for the God of War sequel to release, find out what the first hour plays like with our God of War Ragnarok gameplay preview

If you'd rather go into the game blind, take a look at our games like God of War list to find something to keep you busy while we wait. Or if you're playing the game, check out our God of War Ragnarok tips to get started!

Hope Bellingham
News Writer

After studying Film Studies and Creative Writing at university, I was lucky enough to land a job as an intern at Player Two PR where I helped to release a number of indie titles. I then got even luckier when I became a Trainee News Writer at GamesRadar+ before being promoted to a fully-fledged News Writer after a year and a half of training.  My expertise lies in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, cozy indies, and The Last of Us, but especially in the Kingdom Hearts series. I'm also known to write about the odd Korean drama for the Entertainment team every now and then.  

Read more
God of War Ragnarok
God of War turns 20 this month, but before you get too excited, Santa Monica Studio says "there are no planned announcements" at its celebratory panel
The Blood of Dawnwalker: A screenshot of the vampire Brencis holding up a crown during the trailer for the upcoming game.
The Blood of Dawnwalker: Everything we know so far
Henry in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 devs chased down a 600-year-old star map for the sake of historical accuracy and immersion, and it should "be useful for Hardcore Mode"
Games like God of War Ragnarok: Kratos fighting a giant monster on a mountain top.
10 games like God of War Ragnarok you should play next
A screenshot from Horizon Zero Dawn showing Aloy aiming her bow.
The Horizon curse is far from over as PlayStation's Zero Dawn multiplayer spin-off might bump into Elden Ring once again in 2025
Jodran's corkboard on her spaceship in Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, tracking her quest to track down The Five Aces
The burgeoning Intergalactic: Heretic Prophet community is in shambles over a hidden QR code and I don't even understand the most popular fan theory
Latest in God of War
God of War Ragnarok
God of War turns 20 this month, but before you get too excited, Santa Monica Studio says "there are no planned announcements" at its celebratory panel
Cropped cover art for God of War: Ascension, showing Kratos with chains on his arms.
God of War: Ascension's online multiplayer is still kicking almost 12 years on, but its veterans will destroy you on sight: "Everyone who plays this right now is literally a God"
God of War: Ragnarok
God of War actor Chris Judge says it's "absolutely not true" that he teased new content as "you can't tease something you know nothing about"
God of War: Ragnarok
Days after shutting its AAA game studio filled with former God of War and Overwatch talent, Netflix announces a "new initiative" powered by AI
God of War Ragnarok
Netflix reportedly shutters its AAA game studio, dismantling a team of former God of War, Overwatch, Halo, and Gears of War devs
God of War Ragnarok
God of War: Ragnarok, Cyberpunk 2077, and Apex Legends are gloriously ugly in new art from devs joining "Blocktober" trend showing how games come together
Latest in News
Overwatch 2
My hopes for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror movie are going strong as Blizzard president points out "we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not simply Blizzard Games"
The New Thunderbolts leaping into action
Marvel's New Thunderbolts* comic steals the MCU's asterisk, and the reason why is just as big of a mystery
Pokemon Go players brace for the worst as Niantic is sold off for $3.5 billion: "This game is entering its death knell"
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"