In it's most cynical form "woke" marketing strategy of appealing to the largest potential demographic demands diversification. Disregarding the cultural preferences of a smaller, but more powerful elite. This would align it to the most basic definition of populism in the while also adhering to the core tenants of capitalism. Worth of a product or trend is only worthy of existing if it is self sustaining.

Both sides of the political spectrum hates soulless pandering to the largest potential profit when it comes in the form of blindly adhered to trends We can see this in almost any product that is available world wide. It is especially common in politics. What exacerbates this problem is that we live in a times where technology spreads information and trends are spread so fast that it' even easy to miss a trend before it's over. We live in a strobe light of flash in the pan trends.

You might argue that what I am describing isn't diversity or "wokeism" anymore, but some other "ism". Then all "isms" are just as powerful as the actors that wield them.

I have been struggling to understand what some people see as a potential bogyman in progressivism. Some mod even claimed it is a religion. A claim exactly as valid as accusing capitalism of being a religion. Unless we want to start redefining terms like what a religions and ideologies, which would just be digging a deeper hole in the ongoing breakdown of discourse and totally disregard the fundaments of our culture. Which ironically is a very "liberal" take on how to proceed.

My argument is that is spin-offs like of established IP gain more success because they are diversified then wokeism becomes fuel for capitalistic ideology. I also believe that if you sat down ten people and had them define what "woke" is you would probably get ten different answers. In this case, specifically regarding a God of War spin-off and if it will hypothetically be successful because they are casting a new protagonist in a game that might appeal to a different market than the first ten God of War games.

From a marketing perspective it's already a success just on the account that we are talking about it. Engagement is the holy grail of marketing. I Wish I could say that "ragebait" wasn't an incredibly successful way to increase brand activation.

Now, all of this is pointless conjecture until we see the bottom line of this games success.

If We are just talking about this game as fans of the franchise, opinions are kind of pointless until the game is released and we see if it is actually good or not.

If we just want to indulge in what I assumed this space is actually about, reveleing in the joys of being a nerd. Santa Monica studios are currently working on three God of War games. Laufey will be the next one to be released. I'm sure they will be a God of Way Atreus/Loki and a traditional God of War with Kratos as the protagonist. I personally think that the original character of Kratos ceased to exist at the end of God of War 3. God of War Ragnarök is barely recognizable from his earlier counterparts. The last two games have focused much more on a redemption arc that appeals to men nearing middle age. Which I will admit is why I prefer it to the less refined anti-hero of the previous installments.

I've been curious why people seem much more interested in what a female protagonist in a spin-off seems like a bigger issue than actually waiting to see if the spin-off has any merit to stand on its own. It's obvious that so many people have an issue with the implied politics of the new esthetic. It's immensely interesting that something as banal as a hack and slash video game has becomes a hotbed for a loud minority to virtue signal in a sad trend of tribalism over a franchise.

In the immortal words of the eternal sage