Speculation continues around a mysterious demonic statue placed in the Mojave Desert by Geoff Keighley ahead of The Game Awards. CI Games, developers of Lords of the Fallen, has clarified it's not their project but expressed hope that it signals news from Elden Ring creator FromSoftware. The studio also teased upcoming reveals for their Soulslike title and its sequel.
Statue Tease and Speculation
Geoff Keighley, host of The Game Awards, sparked intrigue by installing a demonic statue in the Mojave Desert earlier this month. Accompanied by the cryptic phrase "regal.inspiring.thickness," the statue features glowing demonic lights and skeletal figures, prompting fan theories about potential game announcements. Initial guesses pointed to Diablo 4 and God of War, but those were quickly dismissed. Other suggestions included Sony's upcoming shooter Saros and the Doom series.
Devolver Digital added humor to the buzz, joking that the statue was built from "the bones of most of our interns" and placed in the desert by the rest. The official Game Awards social media account fueled the mystery with a post: "The [blank] are silent. [Blank] bleeds. New [blank] stir."
CI Games' Response
CI Games, known for the 2023 release Lords of the Fallen, addressed the speculation on social media. CEO Marek Tyminski stated, "Flattered so many think we're behind that statue. Can confirm it's not us, we're just as hyped as you are. Devs are praying it's something FROM. Huge respect to them and we dream of reaching that level one day."
Tyminski emphasized that while the statue isn't connected to their work, the studio is preparing "big news" for Lords of the Fallen and its sequel, noting they have "listened" to feedback. Lords of the Fallen, a Soulslike action RPG, launched in 2023 and received mixed reviews, including a two-star assessment from Eurogamer for its unoriginal approach to the genre.
FromSoftware Connection?
The hope for a FromSoftware reveal persists despite recent activity from the studio. Expansions for Elden Ring spin-off Nightreign are already out, and upcoming projects like the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition and Switch 2 exclusive The Duskbloods do not match the statue's aesthetic. Analysts suggest CI Games' comments aim to draw positive associations rather than confirm any link, keeping anticipation high for The Game Awards this week.