The new update includes lots of long-awaited improvements

Apr 5, 2013 07:40 GMT  ·  By

Sony's Santa Monica studio has just revealed the first details about God of War: Ascension update 1.04, bringing an increased level cap for the game's multiplayer mode, as well as improvements for different sound issues or optimizations for the matchmaking system.

God of War: Ascension came out last month and delivered a brand new hack-and-slash experience in the long-running franchise that included a new single-player campaign focusing on protagonist Kratos, but also, for the first time in the series, a multiplayer campaign.

Since its release, developer Sony Santa Monica has already posted a few updates for the game and is now working hard on patch 1.04, which is set to appear at the end of the month and includes a variety of great additions and improvements.

First up is an increase in the level cap for the multiplayer mode, taking it from 30 to 40 and bringing new items, relics, and ultimate magic attacks for every allegiance.

What's more, other improvements are coming with the future update, including some long-awaited fixes for the sound issues that have been plaguing the game, not to mention optimizations for the matchmaking and fixes for the unlock system.

Check out a list of the major changes below, via PS blog.

Elite Levels – going beyond level 30 One of the biggest enhancements in our upcoming 1.04 patch will be increasing the allegiance level cap from 30 to 40. With the addition of 10 levels for every God allegiance — we are introducing a new item, two new relics, and an ultimate magic for every allegiance. For our Champions who have ascended to the highest levels, and for those on their way, now you have a new goal to reach. It will not be an easy journey.

Champion Stats

We want you to show off! You will now be able to access your accomplishments in battles from the main menu. In addition to displaying your prowess in competitive combat, from death/kill ratios to win percentages, we want to see how you are faring in Trial of the Gods.

Audio issues

We are very aware of the audio drop issues many have been experiencing. This was a critical fix for patch 1.04, as a powerful and immersive audio mix is such a tremendous part of the God of War experience.. We apologize again for those impacted and hope you can now better enjoy our sound team’s painstaking efforts.

Matchmaking optimization

Our work in addressing this and getting players into matches as quick as possible is non-stop. We have already made numerous improvements based on your feedback at our boards and social channels, and have recently bolstered our ranks internally to make further improvements. You should be seeing marked improvements daily, please continue leaving any feedback at our message boards here.

Shard and unlock requirement fixes

We are addressing the shard issue preventing players from attaining the Spear of Destiny and Barbarian Hammer in 1.04 (and potentially sooner), and have made additional tuning changes, namely on weapon shard drops for some of the rarer weapons, as well as unlock requirements for certain armor pieces, weapon stats, and magics.

More details about God of War: Ascension's update 1.04 and the different DLC that will be released for it are going to appear in the near future.