Ballistic Publishing, in partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment America, and Santa Monica Studio has produced a new book – The Art of God of War III. The 272-page book takes readers behind the scenes on a visual history tour of the revenge-epic, and for the first time shows more than 100 pieces of art that didn’t appear in the game. The book should begin shipping in mid-October.

From concept art, to character studies, environment art, character modeling, and production art, The Art of God of War III shows how the Santa Monica Studio team supersized the final installment of the God of War trilogy.

An enormous collection of character concept art is included giving an unprecedented overview of how the character artists flesh out an entire game’s worth of heroes and creatures. Similarly, the environment concept art shows how the creative team created the heavens, the earth and the underworld that Kratos traverses in his quest for revenge.

Each featured artist explains what they were thinking as they created individual characters or environments, and what the constraints were within the gameplay or continuity with previous God of War games.

At 272 pages, the book includes more than 160 pages of concept art, and over 70 pages of production art and character models.

“The Art of God of War III shows off the many different concepting paths explored—tracing the art from the initial quick sketches to the final in-game implemented art,” explains Ken Feldman, Art Director, God of War III. “It’s a true visual history of a truly epic game.”

Exclusive character modeling video walkthrough offer

All customers who purchase any edition of The Art of God of War III from the Ballistic Publishing website will receive two free walkthrough videos by Santa Monica Studio Character Artist Katon Callaway. The videos, which combine over 30 minutes of in-depth explanations and modeling techniques, show you how the Cerberus and Hephaestus characters were created from concept through to final model.

Pricing and Availability

The Art of God of War III will be available in a paperback edition (USD$65.00), a leather-bound Special Edition (USD$129.00), and a collector’s Limited Folio Edition with hand-crafted, leather-bound presentation case, a hand-signed and numbered Certificate of Authenticity from Santa Monica Studio’s key creators, and a beautifully hand-carved metal cover ornament of the ‘Blade of Exile’ (USD$300.00).

More details about the books and availability can be found on the Ballistic Publishing website.