PETA is requesting Santa Monica Studio to add a new game mode to God of War Ragnarök that removes scenes of violence against animals.
The American animal rights nonprofit organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, expressed its frustration at the new game yesterday on its official Twitter account, spoiling a scene in which Kratos and Atreus visit Helheim to put down a giant wolf named Gram, who the latter mistakenly frees during an earlier quest for a certain Norse god and begins tearing through the Nine Realms after being unchained.
“BOY, it’s like Grey Wolf Sif all over again,” PETA wrote. “We’re asking @SonySantaMonica to create a “PETA mode”, so #GodofWarRagnarok can be played without violence to animals!”
@FiveTacey BOY, it’s like Grey Wolf Sif all over again. We’re asking @SonySantaMonica to create a “PETA mode”, so #GodofWarRagnarok can be played without violence to animals! 🐺 pic.twitter.com/AQ0x7n8K1s
— PETA (@peta) November 17, 2022
PETA provided the following statements in its gameplay video:
This dog has been chained outside in the cold for ages. Kratos nad Atreus found him in deplorable conditions, enduring the cold ravages of the Fimbulwinter without any shelter. No food (aside from Kratos) or water was available to him. All dogs deserve loving homes and warm couches, even if they’re 60 feet fall. If you’re cold, they’re cold. Dogs should never be kept chained or penned outdoors.
The video ends with PETA calling on its followers to ask Santa Monica Studio to create a “PETA mode” so players can get past Garm without hurting him.
A direct sequel to 2018’s God of War, God of War Ragnarök is now available exclusively for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. A PC release will presumably follow in a few years.
God of War Ragnarök is one of the leading nominees in this year’s The Game Awards, and it’s also selling well, particularly so in some territories.