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Red Candle Games Hides Horror Game Teaser Inside Nine Sols

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

Nine Sols gameplay with a hidden horror game Easter egg revealed.

In an industry often defined by predictable announcement cycles, Red Candle Games has once again proven its mastery of mystery and atmosphere. The celebrated developer behind the acclaimed horror titles *Detention* and *Devotion* launched *Nine Sols* on May 29, 2024, a stylish “Taopunk” Metroidvania that blends fast-paced, *Sekiro*-inspired combat with a rich, mythological world.

However, shortly after its release, players discovered that the game was just one part of a larger, unfolding narrative. Through a brilliant Alternate Reality Game (ARG), Red Candle led its most dedicated fans to unearth a stunning secret: a playable teaser for a completely new project hidden within the game's files.

The Cryptic Trail of the Video Essay

The mystery began when Red Candle Games started disseminating unusual content online, most notably a piece styled as a fictitious, creepypasta-esque video essay titled "Yi's Video Essay." This found-footage-style video sent ripples through the studio's fanbase, sparking immediate debate and theory-crafting. It was a classic Red Candle move: an unconventional promotion that eschewed a standard press release for something far more interactive and enigmatic, perfectly aligning with the studio's reputation for deep, unsettling narratives.

This video was the first breadcrumb on a trail leading players through a complex ARG. It wasn't just a clever marketing beat for *Nine Sols* but the key to a much deeper secret.

The Secret in the Files

It turned out the video essay and subsequent ARG puzzles were more than just a stunt; they were a guide. The online trail was designed to lead players back to the world of *Nine Sols* itself, but not to a location within the game world of New Kowloon. Instead, the clues ultimately revealed a password.

Players who solved the ARG discovered that this password could be used to unlock a password-protected folder tucked away within the game’s installation directory on their PCs. Inside was something extraordinary: not just an Easter egg, but a completely separate, playable entity. Codenamed "Project Designate: WEIGHT," this hidden executable file was a short, first-person narrative horror experience.

This startling discovery revealed that Red Candle Games had used its critically acclaimed action title as a Trojan horse for its next project. The teaser, starkly different in tone and gameplay from *Nine Sols*, served as a rewarding glimpse into the studio’s future for its most dedicated fans.

A Return to Horror Roots

This elaborate ARG is a natural evolution for Red Candle Games. The Taiwanese studio has consistently demonstrated a unique talent for weaving complex, emotionally resonant stories that linger long after the credits roll. Their past works, *Detention* and *Devotion*, are lauded for their atmospheric horror and nuanced explorations of Taiwanese culture and history.

By embedding a secret project within *Nine Sols*, the developer applied its narrative principles to the game's very release. "Project Designate: WEIGHT" signaled a clear return to the psychological horror genre the studio is famous for, creating a thrilling contrast with the slick action of *Nine Sols*. It’s a bold strategy that blurs the line between the game world and our own, fostering an intensely loyal community of digital detectives united in their efforts to decipher the studio's grand design.

From Mystery to Revelation: The Future of Red Candle

With the secret out, the initial speculation about a *Nine Sols* sequel or spin-off was put to rest. "Project Designate: WEIGHT" was confirmed to be a playable teaser for a completely new IP, one that returns to the studio's horror origins. This innovative reveal strategy had significant implications, showcasing how developers can leverage their existing games as platforms for future announcements in a way that respects the audience's intelligence and turns marketing into a collaborative experience.

The ARG generated a level of organic excitement and engagement that a conventional trailer could never hope to achieve. For now, Red Candle Games has returned to its customary silence, leaving fans to wonder what this new horror title will ultimately become. The studio has masterfully captured our attention once again, proving that sometimes the greatest mysteries in gaming aren't just in the story, but in the very files themselves.