The announcement of God of War Laufey, the latest entry in the franchise, generated considerable negative reaction online after it became apparent the game would centre on a female protagonist rather than Kratos, the character who has anchored the series. Deborah Ann Woll, who reprises her role as Laufey from the 2018 reboot, became a focal point for much of the criticism directed at the project.

When asked about the backlash at a convention appearance, Woll dismissed concerns about her casting and the game's direction, stating she remains unaffected by the response. She attributed her resilience partly to avoiding social media and expressed confidence that the project succeeds artistically. Whilst acknowledging the game may not appeal to everyone's tastes, Woll maintained the work represents a legitimate continuation of the franchise's creative vision.