We Think We Know What Geoff Keighley’s Weird Desert Statue Is Teasing

Earlier this month, a large, demonic-looking monolith appeared in the Mojave Desert, and Geoff Keighley tweeted a photo of it. The monolith featured figures of all sorts of strange creators: skeletons, alligators, soldiers, a wolf, and more. In the time since, online gaming enthusiasts have been eagerly speculating as to what the monolith and Keighley were teasing ahead of The Game Awards. Diablo 4? The Elder Scrolls 6? God of War? Bloodborne 2? Altered Beast?

Well, the mystery may have been solved in advance of The Game Awards on Thursday. As spotted by MP1st, some newly registered trademarks reveal a game and a logo that looks essentially identical to a symbol on the monolith. And those trademarks appear to be for a new Divinity game, from Larian Studios.

How do we know? Well, let’s take a look at one of the trademarks. It’s for an image, and it looks like this:

Now compare that to the big symbol at the center of the statue:

So yeah, that’s definitely the same symbol, so we’re in the right place. Now, how do we know it’s Divinity? Let’s look at the next trademark registered at the same time by the same company, simply for “Divinity”, with a logo attached.

Now we’re getting somewhere! It’s not exact, but it’s quite comparable to past Divinity: Original Sin logos:

And even closer to the older Divinity games, slashed through “i” and all.

Okay, maybe it’s all just a big coincidence? Sure, I guess. But there’s one more clue. All three trademarks were filed by Ihde & Partner Rechtsanwälte, a legal firm that, among other things, has previously filed trademarks for Larian Studios, including past Divinity: Original Sin trademarks.

So that’s pretty cut and dry. But what about that third trademark? This is where things get a bit more mysterious. This trademark is also just for an image, this one here:

What’s that? I have no idea. But it’s probably related, given it was filed on the same day by the same firm and is in a similar style to the other trademarks. Maybe we’ll find out on Thursday.

Critically, this seems to be for a new Divinity…NOT a Divinity: Original Sin game. Director of publishing at Larian Studios Michael Douse was on Twitter/X today shutting down any rumors of a Divinity: Original Sin 3, but his language was very specific:

If this is indeed Divinity, that’s good news for Larian fans, as Divinity: Original Sin 2 was fantastic. We gave it a 9.6/10, saying, “Divinity: Original Sin 2 may have been designed in the spirit of decades-old RPGs like Baldur’s Gate 2, but that legacy serves only as a foundation for the expansive game Larian has built on top of it.”

Speaking of Baldur’s Gate, Baldur’s Gate 3 is Larian’s most recent work, and that got an impressive 10/10 from us. We said, “I don’t want to say every CRPG going forward should aspire to be like Baldur’s Gate 3. Not everything needs to be nearly this big and ambitious, or even this dense. But it is a landmark moment in the genre, and if I had to point to one paragon that I would like everyone else making these to take inspiration from, this is absolutely it.”

While some may have clamored for Larian to immediately get to work on DLC or Baldur’s Gate 4, Larian explicitly said over a year ago that it wouldn’t be continuing with another D&D game. However, Larian CEO Swen Vincke has been teasing a new project for a while now, and based on past timelines, this year’s Game Awards would be a perfect time for an unveiling.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

Battlefield 6 Devs Leave Wicked Grin Skin Almost Unrecognizable After Community Calls Out Bright Colors

Notorious Battlefield 6 skin Wicked Grin has had its colors toned down once again, but this time, players are celebrating the removal of, well, its Wicked Grin.

Battlefield Studios launched update 1.1.3.0 alongside its Season 1 finale, Winter Offensive, today. Although patch notes covered sweeping changes to Breakthrough, hit registration, and the overall audio experience, much of the online community was pleased to see the update tackle one of the EA FPS’s biggest controversies.

You may recognize the above Support cosmetic as the Wicked Grin skin. While the clothing items themselves seem to be largely unchanged (minus one new bright yellow armband), the outfit’s standout features have been almost completely reworked. Where there were once bright blue colors highlighting the infantry class, players will now find muted tones and the complete removal of the toothy smile the skin originally earned its name from.

The Wicked Grin changes exist as what many in the Battlefield 6 community are calling another victory what has become a massive push against goofy skins. Players began fighting against fears that Fortnite and Call of Duty-esque skins would eventually infiltrate Battlefield 6 when the System Override skin, not-so-lovingly called the “Monster Energy drink skin,” was unveiled weeks before launch. With technical director Christian Buhl previously telling IGN that BF Studios would stick to realistic, grounded visuals “for a while,” players worried the developers could change course sooner rather than later.

Wicked Grin emerged weeks after launch as a prime example of what many believed was the beginning of the end for grounded infantry skins. Backlash related to the Support skin got out of hand so quickly that some players threatened to not revive any player seen wearing it.

Word of player dissatisfaction got back to BF Studios and resulted in changes to System Override. Now, Wicked Grin, which had already been tweaked with lighter colors with the November 18 launch of California Resistance, is almost unrecognizable in Winter Offensive. There is almost certainly a group of players disappointed to see those bright blues leave, but for the more vocal players online, they’re mostly happy BF Studios is listening.

“They fixed him,” one popular Reddit post says. “They fixed this skin, super muted blues and removed the ugly mask design. Big W on lostening to the people.”

“Props to the community for standing up,” one comment adds, “props to the devs for listening and acting accordingly.”

Battlefield 6 launched October 10 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S, and BF Studios has been doing a balancing act since. A few updates targeting glitches, aim assist, gameplay balance, hit registration, and more have arrived in the last month alone, with content updates adding new maps as Season 1 rolls on. Today, Winter Offensive added snowy terrain to some familiar locations while handing players access to the new Ice Climbing Axe melee weapon.

For more, you can read our 8/10 Battlefield 6 multiplayer review. You can also see how some players are using Portal to cope with what they feel is a lack of large Conquest map options, and why others weren’t sure how to feel about some pricey new skins.

Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

Video: Skyrim Still Isn’t 60fps On Switch 2, But Here’s How It Fares Against Switch 1

Must have been the wind.

Bethesda surprised us all today with the announcement that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition was heading to Switch 2 with a bunch of technical upgrades to boot. But with a game we’ve all seen this many times, would it really look all that different from the re-release we saw on Switch 1 back in 2022?

Well, wonder no longer, because Mr Alex Olney is here to reveal all! In the above video, we’ve got a side-by-side comparison of how Skyrim matches up on Switch 2 vs Switch 1, showcasing all the gameplay you could wish for.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

3… 2… 1… ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest Starts Now!

3… 2… 1… ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest Starts Now!

Indie Selects Demo Fest

We’re thrilled to launch the Indie Selects Demo Fest! Starting today, discover over 30 amazing game demos — now including PC and Handheld titles for the first time! All demos are free to download and play anytime from December 9 through 31.

Explore the full collection in the Indie Selects Demo Fest section on the Xbox Store and at Xbox.com. We’d love for you to share your feedback with the developers — it’s a great way to help shape the final experience!

Please note: most demos represent early builds and may differ from the final release, including regional availability, as developers continue polishing their games.

We’re also excited to share that 4 newly announced games below are coming to Xbox!

Knuckle Jet (Rain Games)

Ready for something off the wall? Meet Knuckle Jet — a jetpunk action platformer from the creators of Teslagrad! Soar as Anastasia, ricochet off walls, and smash foes with the mighty Knuckle Jet. Mix and match gear for wild gameplay twists — fashion sense optional! Team up in 2-player couch co-op to topple Baron Tychoon, or throw down in Knuckleball for some friendly chaos.

Megabattle (MadCat)

Create your deck, build your robot, and dive into a roguelite adventure full of surprises! Design your own fighter, experiment with unique strategies, and discover countless ways to battle. Just one rule: don’t die!

Raging Bill (Artpunk Studio)

Raging Bill is a single-player sandbox of pure chaos. Play as Bill — ex-MMA champ turned billionaire — whose island paradise spirals into madness: party crashers, UFOs, zombies, dragons, and more. Inspired by Goat Simulator and Duke Nukem, it’s a mix of combat, stunts, puzzles, and freedom.

Built in Unreal Engine 5 with Lumen, Nanite, and Chaos physics, the 5km² world is packed with biomes, secrets, and retro Easter eggs. From jetpacks to hoverboards, every moment is designed for fast-paced, shareable fun. Created by Jérôme Tissot (Muttonheads) under Artpunk Studio, this is indie gaming turned up to 11.

Reef Defense (Swift Creek Games)

Dive into Reef Defense, a fast-paced strategy challenge where crustaceans are coming for your eggs! Build clever defenses, plan your moves, and fight to keep your reef safe. Can you outlast the swarm, or will the crabs feast tonight?

In addition to the new reveals, dive into a diverse mix of creative games you can play right now! See the lineup below for all participating titles and amazing developers in this year’s Indie Selects Demo Fest.

Aikyam (Thousand Stars Studio), Xbox

Amazing Frog? (Fayju), Xbox

AWAYSIS (17-Bit/Cult), Xbox/PC

Biped 2 (Meta Publishing), Xbox

Boxes: Lost Fragments (Big Loop Studios/Snapbreak), Xbox

Cash Cleaner Simulator (Mind Control Games/Forklift Interactive), Xbox

Cassette Boy (Wonderland Kazakiri/Forever Entertainment), Xbox

Coffee Talk Tokyo (Chorus Worldwide), Xbox

ColorBlend FX: Desaturation (Pi-Dev Bulgaria), Xbox

Cyberawar Neon City (CyberMonkey Studio/GoGo Games), Xbox

Deck of Haunts (Mantis Games/Dangen Entertainment), Xbox

Empire in Decay (Siesta Games), Xbox

Froggy Hates Snow (Crying Brick/Digital Bandidos), Xbox

Go North (Gazuntype), Xbox

Incantation (Softstar Entertainment/Eastasiasoft), Xbox

Junkster (Stormcloud Games/4J Studios), Xbox

Kejora (Beranjin Creative/Soft Source), Xbox

Knuckle Jet (Rain Games), Xbox/Handheld

Limbot (Ionized Studios), Xbox

Lost in Loss (Soroka Games), Xbox/PC

Mark of the Deep (Mad Mimic/Light Up Games), Xbox/PC/Handheld

Master Lemon: The Quest for Iceland (Pepita Digital), Xbox

Megabattle (MadCat), Xbox

Pathologic 3 (Ice-Pick Lodge/HypeTrain Digital), Xbox

Raging Bill (Artpunk Studio), PC/Handheld

Realm of Ink (Leap Studio/4divinity), PC/Handheld

Reef Defense (Swift Creek Games), Xbox/PC/Handheld

Relooted (Nyamakop), Xbox

Rhythm Towers (Innoloop), Xbox

RoadOut (Rastrolabs/Dangen Entertainment), Xbox

Showgunner (Artificer/Klabater), Xbox/PC

Star Ores Inc. (BlackBeak Games/Three River Games), Xbox

STONKS-9800: Stock Market Simulator (Ternox), Xbox/PC/Handheld

Tenebris Somnia (Saibot Studios/New Blood), Xbox/PC

Townseek (Whales and Games/Super Rare Games), Xbox

Under Par Golf Architect (Broken Arms Games), Xbox

Worshippers of Cthulhu (Crazy Goat Games/Crytivo), Xbox

Head over to your Xbox and start enjoying these incredible game demos now! And yes, we’d love to hear what you think. Connect with us on Twitter,  Instagram,  DiscordTwitch, Bluesky and YouTube. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire to learn more about what Team Xbox has planned. Your next favorite game is waiting!

The post 3… 2… 1… ID@Xbox Indie Selects Demo Fest Starts Now! appeared first on Xbox Wire.

PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up launches starting today – explore your personalized gaming recap for 2025

Each year brings unforgettable memories for our PlayStation community across the globe, and 2025 was no different with the launch of memorable games like Ghost of Yōtei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Blue Prince, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. To reflect on another momentous year in gaming, we’re launching PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up starting today.

From today through January 8, 2026, PS5 and PS4 players can access their PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up experience* to view their gaming achievements for the year, including most played games and genres, total hours played across single-player and multiplayer titles, a personalized PlayStation Plus playlist, and trophy milestones. There’s also insights around gameplay with accessories like PlayStation VR2, PlayStation Portal remote player, as well as your most used DualSense wireless controller design.

The 2025 Wrap-Up experience will continue to update through the end of the year, so be sure to check back again before January 8 for your full 2025 summary. Players who complete the experience can redeem a unique glass-themed avatar as well as access their summary card – check out my 2025 summary below:

Explore your PlayStation 2025 Wrap-Up at https://wrapup.playstation.com – and share your favorite gaming moments from 2025 in the comments below.

*Users need to have a PlayStation account in their region, be of adult age or over and, have played games on a PS4 or PS5 console for at least 10 hours between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025.

Users who have not consented to the collection of “Full Data” from their PlayStation 5 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign. Users located in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australasia, India, and Russia, who have not consented to the collection of “Additional Data” from their PlayStation 4 system settings in 2025, will be unable to participate in the Wrap-Up campaign.

High on Life 2 Weapon Reveal: Meet Travis, an SMG Voiced by Ken Marino – IGN First

High on Life 2 is our IGN First “cover story” game for December, which means we’ve got exclusive coverage all month long. We’ve already posted plenty of new gameplay, and today we’re thrilled to announce one of High on Life 2’s brand-new weapons: Say hello to Travis, the SMG-style weapon voiced by Ken Marino, who you might know from The State as well as Wet Hot American Summer. Travis is one-half of a dual SMG pair with Jan – check out the half of a heart pendant around his, uh, neck, I guess? Anyway, they’re married, but it seems the relationship has gotten a bit toxic.

Take a look at some footage of Travis in action in the video below, and for more exclusive High on Life 2 coverage – including another weapon reveal coming up soon.

High on Life 2 will be released on February 13, 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S – including launching on day one into Xbox Game Pass.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s executive editor of previews and host of both IGN’s weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He’s a North Jersey guy, so it’s “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.

Lie to futuristic billionaires so you can steal their stuff in Pentiment and Pratchett-inspired Better Than Us

My husband died in a horrible toilet accident. Also, I’m distantly related to Ronald Reagan and spend summers in an underwater chateau. These aren’t just very true facts about the author of this article, they’re things you can tell the reprehensible billionaires of the future in Better Than Us. It’s the latest work of Vampire Therapist developers Little Bat Games, and it’s set to arrive in 2026.

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Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Is the Name of Ubisoft’s Long-Awaited Pirate Remake

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is the full name of Ubisoft’s piratical remake that’s had more leaks than a sunken ship.

The game’s new title is now visible on the PEGI European ratings board website, which is about as official as it gets. (The game is rated 18 for violence and bad language.)

Additionally, there’s a mention here that Black Flag Resynced will include the ability to make in-game purchases. It’s still unknown how Resynced will plug into the franchise’s existing Animus Hub, which lets you buy optional cosmetic content. Alternatively, this could potentially signify the ability to buy DLC further down the line. Is the game’s memorable Freedom Cry add-on in line for a remake, too?

Today’s development comes just a couple of weeks after the game’s release date was reportedly spilled online. During Ubisoft’s latest financial results the French publisher laid out a slate of upcoming games set to arrive before the end of its current financial year, on March 31, 2026.

The name of one of these games was left as “unannounced”, though a subsequent report by Insider Gaming stated that this not-so-mysterious project was the new version of Black Flag, which is scheduled to arrive during the week of March 23, 2026.

Despite years of internal leaks, fan speculation and even hints from the original game’s lead actor, Ubisoft still has yet to officially confirm its Black Flag remake exists. IGN has contacted the company again today, in case it has anything it wants to tease. Or, perhaps we’ll hear more at The Game Awards later this week?

Previous reports have suggested Black Flag Resynced will be a substantial remake of the series’ beloved piratical entry, with visual and gameplay upgrades that see the game closer in quality to this year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

New story content will reportedly be added to flesh out more of hero Edward Kenway’s life, though the game’s modern day gameplay sections have apparently been excised — something that many fans aren’t happy about. It will be interesting to see how Ubisoft handles the game’s new ending — which previously tied together story elements from its historical and modern day narratives — in light of that change.

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced rated by PEGI, as the siren song of remake sea shanties grows deafening

Look lively, me hearties. There, cast your eyes starboard. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced PEGI rating ahoy. The fair winds have seemed to be blowing our sails towards Ubisoft’s long-rumoured remake or remaster of the fourth mainline Assassin’s Creed, the one that’s all piratey, for years at this point. At last, it seems, we may be on track to slide our hull into its port.

Our compasses have endured much flitting between different directions, buffetted by the rogue gusts of voice actors saying a thing and many reports also saying things. The seasick landlubbers among us may indeed finally breathe their sigh of relief very soon after all, it would seem.

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