In the weeks leading up to The Game Awards 2025, set for December 11, host Geoff Keighley ignited a firestorm of speculation with a cryptic post on X. The image depicted the base of a towering, hellish monolith rising from the desert sands, captioned "regal.inspiring.thickness" - a What3Words code pointing to coordinates off Yucca Mesa Road near Joshua Tree National Park in California's Mojave Desert.
Fans quickly mobilized. Some decoded the location and made the trek, confirming the structure's existence: an approximately 8-foot-tall sculpture of twisted stone, etched with writhing skeletons, snarling demons, serpents, armored figures, animal skulls (including bears and wolves), and a grotesque central eye-like entity with spider-like limbs and tentacles. At night, its tips and core emit an eerie red glow, evoking embers or runes.
This elaborate physical stunt signals a major world premiere at the show, but what game does it herald? Insiders like Bloomberg's Jason Schreier have teased that it is "very cool" and something "many will be excited for," describing it as a brand-new, unannounced title worthy of AAA hype.
Confirmed: What It Is *Not*
Several popular theories have been debunked by developers and journalists:
| Ruled Out | Source |
|---|---|
| Diablo 4 (or expansion/DLC) | Jason Schreier: "Good one" but not Blizzard. |
| God of War (new title) | Cory Barlog (Santa Monica Studio director). |
| The Elder Scrolls 6 | Insiders via Schreier/IGN. |
| Lords of the Fallen 2 | CI Games CEO Marek Tyminski: "Flattered... Can confirm it’s not us." |
Leading Rumors and Speculations
The statue's infernal aesthetic - a portal-like gateway to hellish realms - has fueled wild guesses across X, Reddit, and gaming forums. Here are the top contenders:
1. FromSoftware Sequel or New IP (Elden Ring 2? Bloodborne 2?)
FromSoftware remains a fan favorite, with the studio's silence adding intrigue. The red glow mirrors Elden Ring's rune arcs and DLC gates like those tied to Midra, Lord of Frenzied Flame. Carvings evoke the game's grotesque bosses and Queen Marika's shattered form. Bloodborne 2 speculation persists due to Lovecraftian demons and beasts, though some dismiss it as mismatched. CI Games' CEO even voiced hopes: "Devs are praying it’s something FROM."
2. Saros (PlayStation Exclusive)
Housemarque's rumored dark fantasy title tops PlayStation theories. Leaked trailers show skeletal horrors and cosmic eyes aligning with the statue's core. Pre-order ratings in Taiwan fuel timing speculation post-TGA.
3. Quake Reboot
id Software's retro horror shooter fits the demonic portal vibe. Fans point to biomechanical horrors and glowing runes reminiscent of Quake's eldritch enemies.
4. Next Tomb Raider
A fresh twist: Geoff Keighley's recent Lara Croft tease for TGA aligns with "regal.inspiring.thickness" (nodding to Croft's iconic physique?). The statue's ancient ruins and beasts echo Tomb Raider's lore. Rumors of a remake or reboot circulate.
Wild Cards
- Doom/Hexen/DMC 6: Hellgates and demons scream id/Capcom.
- Path of Exile 2: Launch timing, but unlikely for such pomp.
- Stage Prop?: Skeptics claim it's just an entrance gag for Keighley.
The Hype Builds
This ARG-style campaign has captivated the community, with visitors documenting every angle and theorists dissecting carvings for clues (e.g., bear skulls as Nordic nods?). As December 11 approaches, one thing is clear: Keighley has masterminded a marketing triumph, turning a desert oddity into gaming's hottest mystery.
Tune in Thursday for the reveal - whatever it is, Schreier promises excitement. Will it be FromSoft glory, a PS exclusive, or a total surprise? The statue stands silent, but the internet roars.
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