God of War III Creative Director Leaves Sony Santa Monica

God of War III director Stig Asmussen has left Sony Computer Entertainment’s Santa Monica Studio, IGN reports. Asmussen’s departure follows in the wake of a recent round of lay-offs at the studio.

Stig Asmussen worked on the God of War franchise in a number of capacities, starting out as an environment artist in the first game. He went on to serve as Art Director for God of War II, and was finally promoted to Creative Director for the third game.

Asmussen did not, however, work on God of War: Ascension, and was purportedly working on a separate project that may have been cancelled during the recent Santa Monica lay-offs. Whether or not his departure was his own decision or part of the lay-offs is unknown.

God of War: Ascension was, instead, directed by Todd Papy, who left Sony to join Crytek late last year.