If you follow Geoff Keighley on social media, you know the man loves a good riddle. Every year around December, he starts dropping crumbs that lead to The Game Awards (TGA), and this year is no different. Except, instead of a vague tweet, he literally sent gamers into the middle of the Mojave Desert.
But while fans were out there sweating and decoding coordinates, trusted industry insider Jez Corden may have already blown the lid off the whole operation. According to the latest rumors floating around Reddit and social media, that creepy desert statue isn’t for a new IP—it’s seemingly pointing straight to a massive update for Diablo 4.
The “Regal.Inspiring.Thickness” Mystery
It all started with a cryptic post from Geoff featuring three words: “regal.inspiring.thickness.” While it sounded like a bizarre dating app bio, internet sleuths quickly realized it was a What3Words address. This unique coordinate system pointed to a specific spot near Joshua Tree, California.
Naturally, because gamers have zero chill, people actually drove out there. What they found wasn’t a loot box or a hidden stash of Doritos, but a terrifying, demon-covered statue standing alone in the sand. It depicts sinister creatures circling what looks like a hellish portal. At night? The thing actually glows with a fiery red light.
Jez Corden Weighs In
Just as the speculation train was leaving the station—with passengers screaming everything from God of War in Egypt to Half-Life 3—Jez Corden from Windows Central stepped in to ground everyone.
In a recent discussion that hit Reddit, Corden reportedly confirmed that the statue is teasing a Diablo 4 expansion. This makes a lot of sense when you look at the aesthetics. The statue screams “Sanctuary.” The twisted bodies, the portal, the fiery glow—it’s classic Blizzard art direction.
Corden also hinted that there might be “something else” tied to it, but the core reveal is expected to be the next major chapter for Blizzard’s ARPG juggernaut.
Why It Probably Isn’t God of War
Before the Diablo theory took hold, a lot of folks were betting on Kratos. The desert setting immediately made people think of Egypt, which is the rumored setting for the next God of War game.
However, the imagery on the statue doesn’t quite fit the Egyptian mythology vibe we’d expect from Santa Monica Studio. It’s too visceral, too fleshy, and honestly, too demonic. Plus, with Blizzard needing a big win to keep the momentum going for Diablo 4, a flashy real-world stunt like this is right up their marketing alley (remember the butcher shop they opened for launch?).
What This Means for The Game Awards
The Game Awards 2025 is scheduled for December 11th, so we don’t have long to wait. If this really is a Diablo IV expansion reveal, we can expect a CGI trailer that will probably melt our faces off, followed by a release date likely targeting early-to-mid 2026.
Here is a quick breakdown of the theories so far:
| Game Theory | Likelihood | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Diablo 4 Expansion | High | Backed by Jez Corden; fits the visual style perfectly. |
| God of War (Egypt) | Low | Desert setting fits, but the statue art style is off. |
| DOOM: The Dark Ages | Medium | Demons are involved, but the “portal” vibe feels more Diablo. |
FAQs
1. What did Geoff Keighley tweet?
He tweeted three words: “regal.inspiring.thickness.” These are What3Words coordinates that lead to a location in the Mojave Desert.
2. Where is the statue located?
The statue was found near Joshua Tree, California. It sits at the intersection of 29 Palms Highway and Yucca Mesa Road.
3. Who is Jez Corden?
Jez Corden is a Managing Editor at Windows Central and a well-known insider in the gaming industry. He has a strong track record for leaks, especially regarding Xbox and Blizzard.
4. When is The Game Awards 2025?
The show streams live on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
5. Could this be for a different game?
Always possible! Until Geoff or the developers confirm it on stage, it’s still technically a rumor. But the evidence points heavily toward Sanctuary.
Conclusion
Whether you are a Diablo fan or just here for the drama, you have to give it to Geoff Keighley—he knows how to get us talking. If Jez Corden is right, we are about to step back into Hell in a big way. Tune in on December 11th to see if the prophecy comes true.