Devolver bets everything on a single game in Direct 2025

Instead of a parade of trailers, as is customary at Devolver Digital events, the 2025 edition of Devolver Digital Direct, held in the last week of May, opted for a radically different structure: to present only one single game. The decision was met with surprise — and skepticism — by the community, already accustomed to the irreverence of the publisher, but also to the diversity of independent titles that traditionally appear in its presentations.

The identity of the project remains hidden, and not even a provisional name has been revealed. The presentation revolved entirely around suspense and creating expectation. No gameplay, teaser, or interview was shown. The strategy, unusual even by Devolver's own standards, caused confusion: if it was to generate hype, basic information was lacking. If it was to signal a strategic change, silence does not help.

Unofficial sources suggest that the highlighted game may be an ambitious project, perhaps with a scope larger than previous releases from the distributor, known for supporting independent productions like Cult of the Lamb, Inscryption, Loop Hero, Trek to Yomi, and Carrion. Still, without official confirmation, the public remains in the dark — and this already fuels criticisms about the real value of a presentation that offered more mystery than content.

In previous editions, such as those of 2021 and 2023, Devolver Direct presented between 5 and 10 different titles, with release dates, extensive trailers, and even unexpected sequels to acclaimed games. The change in 2025 breaks this pattern and raises questions about the company's direction for the rest of the year. Some see in the choice a reflection of the market's current moment, where an excess of announcements in digital events can cause saturation. But there are also those who criticize the approach as risky and unnecessarily vague.

Devolver has a history of unconventional marketing, and that is not news. But even for fans of the publisher, the 2025 event was too short to excite and too long to not disappoint. If the idea was to provoke curiosity, it worked. If it was to present a game, it has not started yet. Time will tell if this singular focus was the harbinger of something truly transformative — or just a gamble that will not hold up.