God of War Ragnarok PS5 PlayStation 5 PS4 1
Image: Push Square

There’s lots to do in God of War Ragnarok, and it’s the kind of game where exploration is handsomely rewarded with all kinds of entertaining, amusing, and occasionally heart-breaking quests. The true story behind Across the Realms is particularly poignant, however, as it relates to a Santa Monica Studio developer who passed away – and his relationship with a colleague.

Before we elaborate further, though, it should be noted that the contents of this article refer to a Favour in the PS5 and PS4 title that some may consider a spoiler. While it is a relatively minor side-quest in the grand scheme of things, this is your opportunity to exit before we go into detail.

In the game, you’ll discover an area known as The Eternal Campfire in Midgard, which has a distinctive smoke signal as you approach. You’ll find a cookbook with a list of ingredients, which you’ll then find across the Nine Realms. The quest depicts the story of Jari and Somr, who represent real-life couple and Santa Monica Studio developers Sam Handrick and Jake Snipes. Unfortunately, Snipes passed away in 2020.

Prior to Snipes’ passing, the pair had discussed leaving a symbol of their relationship in the game, like an etched heart with Runes inside it. The pair were known within the studio for their cooking, and upon pitching the idea to director Eric Williams, the quest was born. “I wanted this story to be one many queer people know: journeying through a world that doesn't always understand you to find a place that truly feels like home,” Handrick revealed. “And sometimes that place is simply a person. And something as simple as a recipe can be a link back to that home.”

[source twitter.com]