We’re deep into December 2025, and gamers are still scratching their heads over one of the year’s biggest mysteries. Devolver Digital, the beloved indie publisher behind titles like Cult of the Lamb and Hotline Miami, teased a major expansion at the start of the year. The problem? It still hasn’t been announced. With The Game Awards just around the corner on December 11, speculation is running wild that we might finally see what they’ve been hiding.
What Did Devolver Digital Promise?
Earlier this year, Devolver Digital outlined their 2025 roadmap for fans. The publisher is known for its quirky marketing and surprise announcements, so when they mentioned a big expansion was on the way, people took notice. Unlike their other 2025 announcements that have since been revealed or released, this particular project has stayed completely under wraps.
All the other titles on their list have been unveiled. Tron: Catalyst, developed by Bithell Games, was one of their confirmed releases. Updates for games like Cult of the Lamb have continued rolling out. But this mystery expansion? Radio silence.
Why Katana Zero DLC Is the Prime Suspect
If you’ve been following indie game news, you probably already know where this is heading. Katana Zero, the critically acclaimed action platformer from Askiisoft, has had DLC in development for years. The expansion has become something of a legend in gaming circles due to its extended development time.
Here’s what makes Katana Zero the most likely candidate:
- The DLC has been in development since 2019 and was described as being about half the size of the base game
- In April 2025, Askiisoft announced that development was nearing completion
- The expansion promises new characters, levels, gameplay mechanics, and story content
- It will still be free for everyone who owns the base game
- The lead developer previously called it more like Katana 1.5 than traditional DLC
Could We See a Shadow Drop at The Game Awards?
The timing here is interesting. The Game Awards 2025 is happening on December 11 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Devolver Digital loves surprise announcements, and a shadow drop would be totally on brand for them.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a shadow drop means releasing something immediately after announcing it. No lead-up marketing, no waiting months for a release date. You announce it and boom, it’s available right then. The Game Awards has seen several shadow drops over the years, and it would be a perfect stage for Devolver’s theatrical approach.
This year’s show is expected to feature major reveals including games like Control 2, Resident Evil 9, and potentially FromSoftware’s Duskbloods. Devolver sliding in with a surprise Katana Zero expansion would fit right alongside these announcements.
The Wait Has Been Long but Worth It
The Katana Zero DLC has been through quite a journey. What started as a smaller expansion ballooned into something much larger. At one point, it was reported to be six times its original planned size. The developer has been pretty transparent about why it’s taking so long: the scope just kept growing.
The expansion will continue Zero’s story and explore his mysterious past, though it won’t conclude the narrative entirely. The developer has plans for more content beyond this DLC to eventually wrap up the story threads.
What This Means for Gaming Fans
Whether it’s Katana Zero or something else entirely, the fact that Devolver is sitting on an unannounced expansion this late in the year is exciting. The publisher has built a reputation for quality indie titles and memorable presentations. Whatever they’re cooking up has been kept unusually quiet, which often means they’re planning something special.
Keep your eyes on The Game Awards on December 11. If the pattern holds, we should finally get answers to one of 2025’s lingering gaming mysteries. And if it really is Katana Zero DLC, fans who have waited years for this moment are in for a treat.
FAQs
What expansion did Devolver Digital promise for 2025?
Devolver Digital teased a big expansion at the beginning of 2025 as part of their annual roadmap. While other announced titles have been revealed, this particular expansion remains unannounced as the year comes to an end.
Is the Katana Zero DLC still coming out?
Yes, the Katana Zero DLC is still in development and was confirmed to be nearing completion in April 2025. The expansion will be free for all owners of the base game and will feature new characters, levels, and story content.
When is The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 is scheduled for December 11, 2025, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will be streamed live across platforms including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok, and Amazon Prime Video.
How big is the Katana Zero expansion?
The Katana Zero DLC is approximately half the size of the original game, which was around 4 to 6 hours long. The developer described it as more like Katana 1.5 than traditional downloadable content.
What is a shadow drop in gaming?
A shadow drop is when a game or expansion is announced and released simultaneously with no prior marketing or wait period. The content becomes available immediately after the announcement, surprising fans.
Will the Katana Zero DLC conclude the story?
No, the Katana Zero DLC will continue the story and explore Zero’s past but will not conclude the narrative. The developer has stated that future content beyond this expansion is planned to eventually wrap up the story.
Conclusion
The mystery surrounding Devolver Digital’s unannounced 2025 expansion has kept the gaming community guessing all year. With strong evidence pointing toward Katana Zero DLC and The Game Awards happening in just a few days, the wait might finally be over. Whether it drops as a surprise during the show or gets announced for early 2026, fans of the beloved action platformer have plenty of reasons to stay hopeful. One thing is certain: Devolver knows how to keep us on our toes.