When Geoff Keighley drops cryptic coordinates pointing to a massive demonic statue in the middle of the California desert, the internet loses its collective mind trying to solve the puzzle. For over a week, speculation ran wild about what game this elaborate marketing stunt could be teasing. Diablo 4 expansion? Elder Scrolls 6? God of War? Then MP1st cracked the case on December 9, 2025, discovering newly filed European trademarks that matched the statue’s imagery perfectly. The answer is Divinity, Larian Studios’ beloved CRPG franchise. But before everyone gets too hyped about Divinity Original Sin 3, the studio’s publishing director just threw cold water on that specific theory.
The Statue That Launched a Thousand Theories
On November 30, 2025, Geoff Keighley tweeted three seemingly random words: regal.inspiring.thickness. Anyone familiar with What3Words, the location app that divides the world into three-meter squares identified by three-word combinations, immediately recognized this as coordinates. The location pointed to an intersection along 29 Palms Highway in California’s Mojave Desert, a desolate stretch of road that suddenly became a pilgrimage site for curious gamers and content creators.
What they found was genuinely impressive. A large stone monolith featuring grotesque demonic figures surrounding a central portal design that illuminates with fiery red light at night. The craftsmanship is detailed and unsettling, showing skeletons, alligators, soldiers, wolves, and other creatures arranged around the glowing centerpiece. The statue’s ominous aesthetic immediately sparked theories about dark fantasy franchises. Blizzard’s Diablo seemed like the obvious choice given the demonic imagery. Others suggested God of War, The Elder Scrolls, or even a Bloodborne sequel.
How the Mystery Got Solved
MP1st discovered the smoking gun on December 9 when they found three recently filed European trademarks connected to the Divinity franchise. The trademark applications included a new Divinity logo featuring a distinctive eye design within the letter I, along with two symbols. One of those symbols depicts tentacle-like appendages arranged in a pattern that matches the statue’s design almost perfectly. When placed side-by-side, the resemblance is undeniable.
The discovery sent shockwaves through gaming communities. Larian Studios, the developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Divinity Original Sin series, had been radio silent about their next project since entering a media blackout in early 2025. Fans knew the studio was working on something codenamed Project Excalibur, but details remained scarce. The trademark filing suggested that whatever Larian planned to reveal at The Game Awards on December 11 would involve their own IP rather than another licensed property.
The Divinity Original Sin 3 Denial
Just when everyone started hyping themselves for Divinity Original Sin 3, Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian Studios, jumped on social media to clarify the situation. His December 9 statement was direct and unambiguous: there aren’t currently any plans for a new Divinity Original Sin 3 game. He added that when Larian is ready to show what they’ve been working on, they will announce it properly. The statement doesn’t rule out Divinity-related announcements entirely, but it specifically shoots down the idea of a numbered sequel.
This creates an interesting puzzle. The trademarks are clearly Divinity-related. The statue matches the trademark imagery. But Larian explicitly says no Divinity Original Sin 3. So what exactly are they announcing? The most likely scenario involves Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition getting a current-generation upgrade. A PlayStation Store leak from early December showed listings for a PS5 version of the game, and Larian later confirmed that an announcement regarding Divinity Original Sin 2 was imminent.
What We Actually Expect at TGA
Based on all available evidence, The Game Awards reveal probably includes two announcements. First, the formal reveal of Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and possibly other platforms with enhanced graphics, faster loading, and quality-of-life improvements. This aligns with Larian’s strategy of bringing their back catalog to current hardware following Baldur’s Gate 3’s success. The second announcement might be a teaser for their actual next game, Project Excalibur, which could be set within the Divinity universe but represent something different from the Original Sin subseries.
The statue’s iconography offers clues about what this might involve. Several Reddit users noted the resemblance to Braccus Rex, a major antagonist from Divinity Original Sin 2 known for his grotesque appearance and connection to dark magic. Others pointed to the Black Ring faction, a recurring villainous organization throughout the Divinity franchise connected to the God King. The statue’s design featuring multiple interconnected figures around a central portal could represent this faction’s aesthetic and lore.
| Theory | Evidence For | Evidence Against |
|---|---|---|
| Divinity Original Sin 3 | Trademark filings, statue matches Divinity aesthetic | Larian explicitly denied this |
| DOS 2 Current-Gen Port | PlayStation Store leak, Larian confirmed announcement imminent | Seems too small for elaborate statue marketing |
| New Divinity Spin-off | Would explain “not DOS3” statement, Project Excalibur exists | No concrete evidence yet |
| Divinity Universe Expansion | Black Ring faction connection, new trademark logos | Pure speculation based on imagery |
Why Larian Playing Coy Makes Sense
Larian has been strategic about managing expectations since Baldur’s Gate 3’s unprecedented success. The studio made headlines by confirming they wouldn’t develop Baldur’s Gate 4 or any DLC for BG3, choosing instead to follow their own creative vision rather than chase guaranteed commercial success. CEO Swen Vincke described their next project as familiar enough but different, emphasizing that the tone, style, and approach would be new for the studio despite returning to established IP.
This suggests Project Excalibur represents an evolution rather than iteration. It might be set in the Divinity universe and share mechanical DNA with Original Sin, but it won’t be Original Sin 3 in the traditional sequel sense. Think of how God of War 2018 was technically a sequel but felt like a complete reinvention. Larian might be attempting something similar with the Divinity franchise, leveraging everything they learned from Baldur’s Gate 3 to create something ambitious within their own IP.
The Marketing Strategy is Brilliant
Regardless of what actually gets announced, the statue campaign represents brilliant marketing execution. For less than the cost of a 30-second Super Bowl ad, Larian and The Game Awards generated weeks of organic discussion across social media, YouTube, gaming forums, and news outlets. Content creators made pilgrimage videos. Reddit detectives analyzed every detail. Gaming journalists wrote dozens of speculation articles. The what3words app probably saw a spike in downloads from people learning about the service for the first time.
The genius lies in the ambiguity. By making the statue demonic but not franchise-specific, it invited maximum speculation. Everyone could project their most-wanted announcement onto the mystery. When the reveal happens at The Game Awards, it benefits from two weeks of anticipation building. Even fans who guessed wrong will tune in to see what it actually is. That’s the kind of engagement advertisers dream about.
What Happens December 11
The Game Awards 2025 kicks off on December 11, and based on how prominently this statue was marketed, whatever Larian reveals will probably get significant stage time. Geoff Keighley doesn’t commission elaborate desert sculptures for minor announcements. Expect either a substantial gameplay reveal or at minimum a high-production teaser trailer that shows what direction Larian is taking the Divinity universe.
Industry insiders like Jason Schreier and Shinobi602 have hinted that the announcement will please fans of the specific studio and genre rather than mainstream audiences. This description fits perfectly with a complex CRPG from Larian, a game targeting the hardcore RPG audience that made Baldur’s Gate 3 a phenomenon rather than chasing broader appeal. If Project Excalibur follows the early access model that worked so well for BG3 and DOS2, we might even see an availability date sooner than expected.
FAQs
What is the mysterious Game Awards statue?
A large demonic monument placed in California’s Mojave Desert at coordinates revealed by Geoff Keighley on November 30, 2025. The statue features grotesque figures around a glowing portal and was discovered to be teasing a Divinity-related announcement from Larian Studios based on matching trademark filings.
Is Larian announcing Divinity Original Sin 3?
No, Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian, explicitly stated on December 9, 2025, that there are currently no plans for Divinity Original Sin 3. However, the studio is working on something Divinity-related that will be revealed when ready.
What will Larian announce at The Game Awards 2025?
Most likely a current-generation port of Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, possibly alongside a teaser for Project Excalibur, Larian’s next major game that may be set in the Divinity universe but isn’t a numbered sequel.
What is Project Excalibur?
The codename for Larian Studios’ next major project that entered full production after Baldur’s Gate 3’s final patch. Details remain scarce, but CEO Swen Vincke described it as familiar but different with new tone and style for the studio.
When is The Game Awards 2025?
The Game Awards 2025 ceremony takes place on December 11, 2025. The statue mystery is expected to be resolved during this event with a formal announcement from Larian Studios.
How did people solve the statue mystery?
MP1st discovered newly filed European trademarks for Divinity on December 9, 2025, featuring logos and symbols that matched the statue’s design. The trademark imagery made the connection to Larian Studios and the Divinity franchise undeniable.
Was Divinity Original Sin 2 leaked for PS5?
Yes, a PlayStation Store listing briefly appeared showing Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition for PS5. Larian later confirmed that an announcement regarding the game was imminent, essentially confirming the leak.
What other games were guessed for the statue?
Popular theories included Diablo 4 expansion, The Elder Scrolls 6, God of War sequel, Bloodborne 2, Lords of the Fallen 2, and various other dark fantasy franchises. All were either debunked by developers or rendered unlikely once the Divinity trademarks were discovered.
Will Larian make Baldur’s Gate 4?
No, Larian has confirmed multiple times they will not be developing Baldur’s Gate 4 or any DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3. Wizards of the Coast owns the D&D license and will determine the franchise’s future, but Larian is focusing on their own IP.
Conclusion
The mysterious Game Awards statue represents everything that makes modern gaming marketing fascinating. An elaborate physical installation in the desert becomes a viral sensation, spawning countless theories before trademark detectives crack the case. Larian’s careful denial of Divinity Original Sin 3 specifically while confirming something Divinity-related adds intrigue rather than disappointment. Whether we’re getting a current-gen port, a spin-off, or the first glimpse of Project Excalibur set in the Divinity universe, December 11 will answer questions that have consumed gaming communities for nearly two weeks. The statue worked exactly as intended, generating buzz and anticipation that money simply can’t buy. Now we just have to wait two more days to see if whatever Larian reveals justifies all this buildup. Given their track record, there’s good reason to be optimistic.