The Hint That Set Everyone Off
Shinobi602, one of the most reliable insiders in gaming, just sparked a wildfire of speculation on ResetEra. When a forum user suggested it was too early for Remedy Entertainment to publicly show Control 2, Shinobi dropped a simple but loaded response: “Are you sure?” That two-word reply has sent the gaming community into overdrive less than 24 hours before The Game Awards 2025 kicks off tonight at 4:30 PM PT.
For those unfamiliar with Shinobi602, this isn’t some random Twitter account making wild guesses. This is someone with a proven track record of accurate insider information, particularly when it comes to PlayStation and major third-party releases. When Shinobi speaks, people listen. The timing of this tease, combined with recent developments around the Control franchise, has fans convinced tonight is the night Remedy finally pulls back the curtain on the sequel to their 2019 supernatural action game.
The Trademark That Started It All
The speculation actually began two weeks ago when a trademark filing surfaced for something called “Control: Resonant.” The filing came from Nordic Attorneys at Law, the same legal firm Remedy uses for all their intellectual property registrations. The trademark covers video game services, digital entertainment, and interestingly, film and television production.
The timing couldn’t be more suspicious. Filing a trademark exactly two weeks before The Game Awards feels deliberate, like Remedy was clearing legal hurdles before making a public announcement. The “Resonant” subtitle also fits perfectly with the first game’s themes. Control dealt heavily with resonance frequencies, dimensional vibrations, and the Federal Bureau of Control’s attempts to understand supernatural phenomena. If this is indeed Control 2’s official title, it represents a thematic continuation of the original’s obsession with frequencies and alternate dimensions.
What makes the trademark even more interesting is its inclusion of film and TV categories. Remedy partnered with Annapurna Pictures to develop Control and Alan Wake adaptations for screens beyond gaming. This trademark could cover both the game sequel and potential tie-in media, suggesting Remedy is building Control into a genuine multimedia franchise. That level of ambition deserves a big stage, and The Game Awards provides exactly that platform.
Development Status Lines Up Perfectly
Control 2 entered full production in February 2025 according to Remedy’s financial reports. That means the development team has spent nearly ten months building the game, establishing production pipelines, and creating assets at scale. For comparison, Alan Wake 2 was announced at The Game Awards 2021 when it was still relatively early in development, then released in October 2023. Remedy has shown they’re comfortable revealing projects years before launch.
The studio stated earlier this year that Control 2 has verified its velocity of asset creation and is ready for scaling up production. In developer speak, that means they have enough game built to show something substantial. You don’t announce a sequel at The Game Awards with just concept art. You come with a cinematic trailer at minimum, ideally with some gameplay footage to back it up. After ten months of full production, Remedy should have plenty to show.
Remedy’s partnership with Annapurna is co-financing 50 percent of the development costs, which currently sit around 57 million dollars. That’s actually a smaller budget than Alan Wake 2’s 79 million dollar price tag, suggesting a more focused experience. The game is fully self-published by Remedy this time, meaning they have complete creative control and aren’t beholden to a publisher’s marketing timeline. If they want to reveal Control 2 tonight, nothing is stopping them.
Remedy Loves The Game Awards
Remedy and The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley have a strong relationship. Alan Wake 2 made its debut at the 2021 ceremony. The studio returned in 2023 with an elaborate musical performance featuring the cast of Alan Wake 2 performing a live action number on stage. That commitment to spectacle shows Remedy understands the value of The Game Awards as a platform for reaching millions of viewers simultaneously.
The Game Awards represents one of the few remaining appointment viewing events in gaming. Revealing Control 2 there guarantees instant visibility across social media, gaming news sites, and YouTube channels. For a self-published game competing for attention in an incredibly crowded market, that kind of free exposure is priceless. Remedy also knows their fanbase watches The Game Awards religiously, making it the perfect venue to reward those fans with a first look at the sequel they’ve been demanding since the original game’s cliffhanger ending.
What Could the Reveal Actually Show
If Control 2 does appear tonight, expect a cinematic trailer at minimum. Remedy excels at atmospheric, mind-bending cinematics that showcase their signature brand of weird fiction. The original Control’s trailers were masterclasses in showing off the Oldest House’s impossible architecture and reality-warping encounters. A sequel trailer needs to top that visual spectacle while hinting at where Jesse Faden’s story goes next.
There’s an outside chance Remedy shows actual gameplay. Ten months into full production means core mechanics should be locked down and looking presentable. Control’s gunplay mixed with supernatural abilities created a unique combat sandbox, and fans are dying to see how Remedy expands on that foundation. Will Jesse have new powers? Are there new weapons beyond the shape-shifting Service Weapon? What new departments of the Oldest House will we explore? A gameplay demo could answer those questions and generate serious hype.
The more conservative option is a title reveal with a 2026 or 2027 release window. Even that would satisfy fans who just want confirmation the game exists in tangible form. Combined with the Control: Resonant trademark, a simple logo reveal and target year would be enough to dominate gaming conversations for the next week. Remedy knows how to generate buzz, and they don’t need to show everything to get people excited.
Why Tonight Makes Sense
Beyond the Shinobi hint and trademark filing, tonight just feels right from a business perspective. Control 2 has been in development since at least 2022 when it was first announced. That’s three years of work, with nearly a year in full production. The game needs to enter the public consciousness before it launches, and starting that marketing push now positions it for a potential late 2026 or 2027 release.
Remedy also needs a win after FBC: Firebreak underperformed dramatically at launch. The Control multiplayer spinoff landed with such a thud that Remedy’s CEO left his position. Control 2 represents the studio’s redemption arc, a chance to remind everyone why they fell in love with the franchise in the first place. Revealing it at The Game Awards with a massive trailer would immediately shift the narrative back to Remedy’s strengths: single-player storytelling and atmospheric world-building.
The Game Awards lineup already includes confirmed appearances from Resident Evil 9, Exodus, and numerous other high-profile games. Control 2 would fit perfectly among those reveals, especially since supernatural action games have been having a moment lately. With Alan Wake 2 winning multiple awards last year and still generating conversation, Remedy has momentum worth capitalizing on. Strike while the iron is hot.
FAQs
Who is Shinobi602 and why should we believe them?
Shinobi602 is a well-established gaming insider on forums like ResetEra with years of accurate leaks and hints. They have connections within the industry and typically only speak up when they have solid information, making their Control 2 hint particularly credible.
When are The Game Awards 2025 happening?
The Game Awards 2025 airs tonight, December 11, at 4:30 PM Pacific Time, 7:30 PM Eastern Time, or 12:30 AM GMT for international viewers. The show streams live on YouTube, Twitch, and numerous other platforms.
What is Control: Resonant?
Control: Resonant is the name from a trademark filing discovered two weeks ago. It’s widely believed to be the official title for Control 2, though it could also relate to film or TV adaptations Remedy is developing with Annapurna Pictures.
What platform will Control 2 be on?
Control 2 was announced for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S back in 2022. Unlike Alan Wake 2 which launched as an Epic Games Store exclusive, Control 2 is fully self-published by Remedy, suggesting a wider release strategy.
Will Control 2 require playing the first game?
While nothing is confirmed, the original Control ended on a cliffhanger with Jesse Faden firmly established as Director of the Federal Bureau of Control. The sequel will likely continue that story, making the first game recommended but probably not required given Remedy’s skill at catching new players up.
How long has Control 2 been in development?
Control 2 was first announced in November 2022 and entered full production in February 2025. That means the game has been in active development for roughly three years, with about ten months spent in the full production phase where most assets and content get created.
Did Remedy appear at The Game Awards before?
Yes, multiple times. Alan Wake 2 was first revealed at The Game Awards 2021. The studio returned in 2023 with an elaborate live musical performance celebrating Alan Wake 2’s launch. Remedy has a strong relationship with the show and host Geoff Keighley.
What if Control 2 doesn’t show up tonight?
Then the trademark filing was coincidental timing and Shinobi’s hint referred to something else entirely. However, given the convergence of evidence including the trademark, development timeline, and insider hint, the chances of a reveal feel stronger than usual gaming rumor mill speculation.
Conclusion
All the pieces are in place for Control 2 to make a surprise appearance at The Game Awards tonight. Between Shinobi’s credible hint, the suspiciously timed trademark filing, the game’s production status, and Remedy’s history with the show, it would actually be more surprising if the sequel doesn’t appear. Whether it’s a full cinematic trailer, gameplay debut, or simple title reveal with a release window, Control fans have every reason to stay glued to their screens when the show starts at 4:30 PM Pacific. After six years of waiting since the original game launched, Jesse Faden might finally be ready to return to The Oldest House and continue her fight against the supernatural forces threatening reality. Set those reminders, because tonight could be the night Remedy reminds everyone why Control became one of the most beloved games of 2019.