Epic Games and 505 Games are teasing a game announcement for The Game Awards that may feature Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen. The Game Awards 2022 is just days away from airing, and hints to what will be announced during the awards show are being shared online to build excitement for the event. The latest is from publisher 505 Games, confirming an Epic Games Store partnership for a mysterious project that may or may not feature Michael Madsen.The Game Awards 2022 is lining up to be another major event, an exclamation point to punctuate the end of 2023. So far, only one game has been overtly confirmed for the show. Bandai Namco has sent out press material for Tekken 8's involvement. Rumors are another matter entirely. There's some who believe Hideo Kojima's next game could be shown, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's release date will be revealed, a Crash Bandicoot game will be announced, as will a new game from the developer of Battle Chasers: Nightwar. There's been no word on a game from 505 Games just yet, though.505 Games' teaser for The Game Awards is uniquely strange. For one, there's no actual indication that there's a game related whatsoever, outside of Epic Games' logo opening the video, the general context of The Game Awards, and a QR code leading to a webpage confirming a game announcement. The trailer itself features Michael Madsen visiting what must be Geoff Keighley's offices and returning his wallet. It really leans into Madsen being a cool guy and his past as a crook in several movies.
The website linked to by the trailer QR code is what's especially interesting, though. It links to a website confirming a 505 Games announcement, but there's much more to it than that. There's a large animated image of a waterfront city. There are several hotels, a seafood restaurant, and other buildings. It could be the setting of the game, perhaps even implying it'll be an open world. The website's URL names this location Rockay City.
There's obviously much left to be revealed regarding 505 Games' upcoming title, but it does make an interesting first impression. There seems to be a large and potentially explorable city, and the involvement of Michael Madsen channeling Reservoir Dogs is exciting. It could be nothing of the sort, of course. Studios capable of such a game are rare, and who 505 Games could partner with for such a game is quite the mystery.
The Game Awards 2022 will air on December 8, with the pre-show beginning at 7:30 PM ET. The event will be packed with major game announcements, in addition to the awards themselves. If 505 Games has partnered with Epic Games for a reveal during the show, it's likely to be something exciting.