In the winter of 2022, PlayStation did something that felt both simple and magical: it gathered a sleigh-full of first-party and third-party developers and asked them to create holiday cards featuring beloved video game characters. The result was a digital gallery that turned a corporate blog post into a cozy, crossover celebration. Now, in 2026, as another holiday season rolls around, that collection still glows like a string of fairy lights on a cold December night. It is a reminder that even in an industry obsessed with release dates, patches, and hardware specs, developers are people who enjoy a bit of yuletide whimsy.
A God of War Family Portrait
The collection opened with a heartwarming family picture of the cast of God of War Ragnarok. Kratos, Atreus, and the rest of the Norse crew posed together in festive cheer, though for anyone who had finished the game, the image carried a bittersweet weight. That contrast between holiday warmth and narrative tragedy made the card memorable. Elsewhere, Aloy from Horizon lit a lantern, while Miles Morales and Peter Parker suited up to deliver food to FEAST in lovely Christmassy getups. These were not just character portraits; they were tiny stories about giving, community, and the quiet heroism of helping others during the holidays.
First-Party Studios Bring the Warmth
PlayStation's own studios filled the gallery with recognizable faces. Housemarque represented Returnal, Naughty Dog offered a lovely scene of Ellie and Joel around a campfire, and Sucker Punch delivered a card depicting all of its past characters riding a sleigh full of presents. Sly Cooper and Cole MacGrath were even there, which meant that at the very least, Sucker Punch had not forgotten about a couple of its dormant franchises. For longtime fans, seeing those characters together felt like receiving a gift from a studio that remembered its own history.
Bluepoint's Mysterious Gift
Bluepoint's Christmas card was a little more interesting. Instead of characters, it showed four Christmas presents gathered around a tree. Three of them were open, each with a video game weapon leaning up against it, but there was a fourth present still wrapped up. At the time, fans wondered whether Bluepoint was teasing a new title. In 2026, that wrapped box remains a tantalizing piece of holiday mystery. Some hoped it contained a horribly bloody Saw Cleaver, a nod to Bloodborne. Others imagined something entirely new. Whatever the truth, the card proved that even a simple image can spark years of speculation.
Third-Party Cheer and a Few Lumps of Coal
PlayStation's roundup also included third-party developers. Square Enix made a festive collage of its recent releases and upcoming titles, though Babylon's Fall seemed to be missing. Maybe the company ran out of space, or maybe it simply preferred to focus on brighter futures. The Callisto Protocol featured Jacob Lee looking like someone after eating far too much turkey, while MultiVersus offered an adorable card with Reindog sitting in the middle of a snowy forest.
Not every developer channeled much festive spirit. Polyphony Digital, the team behind Gran Turismo 7, put 'Season's Greetings' on a picture of some cars and called it a day. Dead Space appeared as a gif with no hint of a Christmas theme whatsoever. PlayStation London shared concept art for its next game, though it earned bonus points for adding snow. For those cards, fans joked that coal had been placed in their stockings.
Why the Cards Still Matter in 2026
Holiday cards from game developers may seem like a small thing, but they serve a larger purpose. They humanize the studios behind massive franchises. They let artists, community managers, and marketing teams share a moment of levity. They also create a shared language for fans: a campfire, a sleigh, a lantern, a wrapped present. In 2026, with the industry larger and more fragmented than ever, that kind of cross-studio warmth is rare.
| Studio | Game/Character Focus | Festive Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica Studio | God of War Ragnarok cast | Bittersweet family portrait |
| Guerrilla Games | Aloy | Lantern lighting |
| Insomniac Games | Miles Morales and Peter Parker | FEAST delivery |
| Housemarque | Returnal | Cosmic holiday nod |
| Naughty Dog | Ellie and Joel | Campfire calm |
| Sucker Punch | Sly Cooper, Cole MacGrath, and more | Sleigh full of presents |
| Bluepoint | Mystery presents | Teasing speculation |
| Square Enix | Recent and upcoming titles | Festive collage |
| Polyphony Digital | Gran Turismo 7 cars | Minimal effort |
| Dead Space | Gif | No Christmas theme |
As 2026's holiday season arrives, players can look back at that 2022 collection and smile. It captures a specific moment in PlayStation history, when first-party and third-party teams came together to wish everyone a happy holiday. The games have aged, the studios have evolved, and the industry has moved on. Yet the spirit of those cards remains: a little silly, a little sentimental, and undeniably warm. 🎄🎮✨
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