In honor of God of War Collection being release in HD on the PSN, we have delved into the Santa Monica Studio archives and found the never-before-seen layouts and sketches of this lost level. In the video above, Jonathan walks us through his designs and the heartbreak of having it cut from the game.

We hope you enjoy this exclusive behind the scenes look and enjoy playing God of War Collection even more.

In addition to the behind-the-scenes, be sure to visit the PlayStation Store to check out God of War Anthology, where you will find not only the digital version of God of War Collection, but also all the various add-on, video, and other titles that featured our Spartan Warrior, Kratos.

With the God of War: Ghost of Sparta Demo already available for PlayStation Plus subscribers and Spartan Army members, and the game’s launch just weeks away, who better to start with than the fine folks of Ready at Dawn Studios and the Lead Animator on Ghost of Sparta, Adam Byrne.

Head to the official God of War forums and start leaving your questions! We’ll be sure to keep it in mind for the future.

Every End Must First Begin

What Inspired you to write “Even Gods Cry”?

Noah Belson: What inspired DaVinci to paint The Last Supper? Or Mike Angelo to take brush to the Sistine Chapel? No one knows where inspiration comes from, but in the case of “Even Gods Cry,” it’s as though some divine force placed the seed of an idea in my head, then poured thought juice on that seed and then that seed grew into a mighty oak, inside my head.

Matthew Cappiello: Also, someone said we could make $100 off this and that’s pretty decent walkin’ around money. If you think about it, that’s probably why DaVinci painted. I mean the guy had to eat, right?

How do you think you are most like Kratos?

NB: Kratos and I both have slight anger management problems. Ask anyone on the highway that fateful day when I smashed 11 windshields with a 9 iron if they think I have anger issues and they’ll probably go “and how!” So there is a little Kratos in me, yes. But you know, another trait the K man and I share is vulnerability. The big guy may be tough as nails but inside he’s hurting and I know what it is it to hurt. But I also know that ripping the heads off monsters (literally or figuratively) isn’t the way to deal with that hurt, so that’s where Kratos and I part ways. Frankly I think if Kratos were around today, he’d benefit from calming influences such as yoga, pilates and maybe even a course of hug therapy. You don’t need a prescription, you just need arms, and heck you can even hug someone if they don’t have arms.

MC: Let me tell you a secret. We’re ALL Kratos. Every single one of us. Some of us are Kratos because we’re fighting internal demons like alcohol, chocolate or heroin. While others of us are the REAL Kratos, fighting demons and shooting lasers (he shoots lasers, right?) at evil demons and demigods and what not. I never actually played the game because I’m still using a Playstation 1 and I just can’t swing the upgrade right now. In any case, to answer your question- yes, I had a lot of fun writing “Even Gods Cry.”

Why do you think this song has such universal appeal?

MC: We write songs for the common man. When we ride in the Turtlecopter and point down at the tiny people below us, we point to them and say, “That guy. That’s who we’re writing this song for.” and I think it shows in our music.

NB: But in this song we did something different. This song was written for the gods. We wanted this to be the kind of song that when people heard it for the first time they would finally understand what ears are for. We wanted lovers to kiss harder after hearing it. We wanted mothers to weep for the joys their children will know. Flowers to bloom brighter. Cotton to feel softer. This song has universal appeal because the universe needed this song, just like the universe needs the Turtlenecks.

So, without further adieu (and just in time for the holidays), Congratulations to all the winners of the God of War Collection Spartan Army Sweepstakes:

Grand Prize Winner
Jacinto Gonzalez – Chicago, Illinois

First Place Prize Winners
Eric Nolan – Fairfield, Ohio
Tristan Smith – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Richard Lavoie – Oceanside, California
John Valderrama – Baldwin Park, California
Devin Fenwick – Manhattan, Kansas

If you didn’t happen to win this time, don’t worry… We’ll have plenty more of these God of War sweepstakes for weeks to come, so be sure to check the PS Blog periodically for any and all future updates.

To all the winners, you should have received an email from a PlayStation rep on additional info required to obtain prizing.

Now onto the prizes!

One Grand Prize: The Grand Prize winner will receive an autographed “Gold” disc (a first pressing of the game created when the assets were finalized and reached “Gold” status. These copies rarely reach the public.), exclusive artwork created and signed by a God of War team member, a Limited Edition Kratos T-shirt, and a never before released Limited Edition 10” Figurine!

Five First Place Prizes: A copy of God of War Collection signed by the Development Team

To enter the sweepstakes simply go to the ‘Sign Up’ page within www.godofwar.com and enter your email address and date of birth — that’s it! If you’re already a Spartan Army member, don’t worry, you’re already included in the sweepstakes. All we ask is that you’re over 18 and within the United States. Click here for sign up and rules on the sweepstakes.

Just be sure to enter it before December 11, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. We will announce the winners of the sweepstakes right here on the PlayStation Blog and www.godofwar.com on December 17, 2009!