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{{WIP}}
{{argbox
{{argbox
| float      = right
| float      = right
| image      =  
| image      = Image:Header-amnesia-rebirth.jpg
| imagewidth = 400
| imagewidth = 460
| name      = [[Secret Project]]
| name      = Amnesia: Rebirth ARG
| description=  
| description=  
| creator    = [https://frictionalgames.com/ Frictional Games]
| creator    = [https://frictionalgames.com/ Frictional Games]
| type      = Official
| type      = Official
| status    = Active
| status    = Completed
| discovered = 2020-01-23
| discovered = 2020-01-23
| completed  = 2020-03-06
| franchise  = https://store.steampowered.com/app/999220/Amnesia_Rebirth/
| header      = Header-amnesia-rebirth.jpg
}}
}}
{{ArgHeader}}
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The '''Amnesia: Rebirth ARG''' was an official ARG created to reveal and promote [https://amnesiarebirth.com/ Amnesia: Rebirth], created by [https://frictionalgames.com/ Frictional Games]. The game was initially teased under the title Secret Project #1. The ARG took place on the [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game] website, and involved finding YouTube video IDs by solving puzzles hidden within the site.


 
<div class="toclimit-3">__TOC__</div>
'''Secret Project''' is an official ARG created for [https://frictionalgames.com/ Frictional Games'] first new game since [http://www.somagame.com/ SOMA (2015)], originally titled <code>Secret Project #1</code>.
<br>
<br>
The ARG is taking place on the [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game] website, mostly comprised of finding YouTube IDs by solving puzzles hidden within the site.
 
Throughout this article, information has been taken from this [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QZNMrxPPWW1RJeRaOluuWn0wNSqekTr_t6WvjB2Z6kc/edit#gid=48407131 Google doc].
<br>


== Background ==
== Background ==
Since 10/12/2019, [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aCqOeuQn276p1XzhJLMExa47FFvenA0T one second videos] of a growing embryo are uploaded bi-weekly to the [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game] website. The name of each video represented the date the video was posted on, in this format: mm/dd.
{{#evt:
<br>
service=youtube
Each video got deleted from the site after being replaced by a new one.
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcCxI0KavBM
<br>
|dimensions=480
[[File:1210.png|thumb|none|1210]]
|alignment=right
|container=frame
}}


 
On December 10, 2019, a one-second video of a growing embryo was uploaded to https://nextfrictionalgame.com/, a website that Frictional Games had historically used to promote their upcoming projects. Throughout the next several months, new videos were sporadically uploaded to the site.<ref>Frictional Games. [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aCqOeuQn276p1XzhJLMExa47FFvenA0T Website Clips]. Accessed December 1, 2025.</ref> As new videos were uploaded, the previous videos were deleted. Each video was named after the date it was posted, following the format <code>MMDD</code>.<ref>[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QZNMrxPPWW1RJeRaOluuWn0wNSqekTr_t6WvjB2Z6kc/edit?gid=0#gid=0 Amnesia: Rebirth - Analysis / Theories / ARG document]. Accessed December 1, 2025.</ref>
It wasn't until the 23/01/2020, that the first clue for the ARG finally appeared on the site.
<br>
[[File:0123.png|thumb|none|0123.mp4 - the first video that appeared with an ARG clue.]]


== Update 1 ==
== Update 1 ==
On January 23, 2020, the website was updated with the first clue for the ARG: a new "eye" icon next to the existing social media icons.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200130064254/https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game.] Archived January 30, 2020 from [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ the original].</ref> Hovering over the icon revealed a YouTube video ID <code>suWaF-aIdV4</code>, which led to a video named <code>Box 52, Tape 16</code>.


=== Summary ===
By inspecting the HTML of the site, another YouTube video ID <code>pBW3V85Y-I4</code> was found in a <code><meta></code> element with the name <code>artefact</code>. The ID led to a video named <code>Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success</code>.
[[File:eye_social.png|noborder|right]]
[[File:artefact.png|noborder|right]]
On 23/01/2020, a new eye icon was spotted at the bottom right of the website, along with the other social media icons.
<br>
Hovering on the icon reveals a YouTube video ID <code>suWaF-aIdV4</code> which leads to a video named <code>Box 52, Tape 16</code>.
<br>
<br>
The HTML code of the site was inspected as well, and another YouTube video ID <code>pBW3V85Y-I4</code> was found inside an element named <code>artefact</code>.
<br>
The ID leads to a video named <code>Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success</code>


<gallery mode="packed" heights=40px>
File:eye_social.png|The "eye" icon with its hover text
File:artefact.png|The added HTML element
</gallery>
=== Box 52, Tape 16 ===
=== Box 52, Tape 16 ===
{{#evt:
{{#evt:
service=youtube
service=youtube
|id=https://youtu.be/suWaF-aIdV4
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suWaF-aIdV4
|dimensions=480
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|alignment=right
|description=Marked Shetpe, KSSR.
|container=frame
|container=frame
}}
}}


The video shows a collection of rocks near a body of water, and then zooms in on a rock with peculiar symbols craved on it. The description of the video mentioned it's a cassette marked Shetpe, KSSR.
The video shows a collection of rocks near a body of water, and then zooms in on a rock with peculiar symbols craved on it.<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suWaF-aIdV4 Box 52, Tape 16] (YouTube video).</ref> The description of the video reads:
<br>
 
<br>
<blockquote>
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakh_Soviet_Socialist_Republic KSSR] refers to Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, now Kazakhstan.  
Video Cassette 16/2/83, copy from a private collection. Marked Shetpe, KSSR.
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
 
A notable location regarding the mentioned location in the video is [https://astanatimes.com/2019/02/sherkala-captivates-with-ancient-history-unearthly-landscapes/ Sherkala], A mountain located near the town of Shetpe.
The acronym "KSSR" refers to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakh_Soviet_Socialist_Republic Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic], now Kazakhstan.
<br>
 
It is the remains of medieval caravanserai. Tunnels were built inside the mountain during a besiege.
<div style="clear: both"></div>
<div style="clear: both"></div>


Line 73: Line 61:
{{#evt:
{{#evt:
service=youtube
service=youtube
|id=https://youtu.be/pBW3V85Y-I4
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBW3V85Y-I4
|dimensions=480
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|alignment=right
|description=Triple Crown.
|container=frame
|container=frame
}}
}}
Nothing can be seen in the video, but three monstrous screams can be heard.
Nothing can be seen in the video, but three monstrous screams can be heard.<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBW3V85Y-I4 Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success] (YouTube video).</ref> The description of the video reads:
<br>
 
The description describes this video as an artefact, which is marked <code>Triple Crown</code>.
<blockquote>
Artefact 1/7/115, marked "Triple Crown". Video unrecoverable, Audio track fragment reconstructed, denoised.
</blockquote>


<div style="clear: both"></div>
<div style="clear: both"></div>


== Update 2 ==
== Update 2 ==
[[File:hidden_text_transmission.png|thumb|right|The hidden text on the website]]
On January 29, 2020, hidden text was added to https://nextfrictionalgame.com.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200130064254/https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game.] Archived January 30, 2020 from [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ the original].</ref> The text could be made visible by highlighting the lower part of the website. It read:


=== Summary ===
<blockquote>
[[File:hidden_text_transmission.png|noborder|right]]
Exxpedition: frrequenncy oof raddioo 78.3 short WWave seQQuence</code>
On 29/01/2020, a hidden text was added to the site that was discovered by highlighting the lower part of the website.
</blockquote>
<br>
 
The text reads <code>Exxpedition: frrequenncy oof raddioo 78.3 short WWave seQQuence</code>.
The duplicated letters in this phrase, combined with the numbers, created the string <code>xrnodo783WQ</code>: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions</code>.
<br>
<br>
By putting together the double letters and the numbers, we get: <code>xrnodo783WQ</code>.
This served as a YouTube video ID which lead to the video <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions</code>.


=== Box 12, Recent Acquisitions ===
=== Box 12, Recent Acquisitions ===
The video takes place in Salzburg, Austria, in an expedition site. The person in the video wears a bracelet with a black feather on it.
<br>
A note can be found inside the ammunition box. The transcript of the note is as follows:
{{#evt:
{{#evt:
service=youtube
service=youtube
|id=https://youtu.be/xrnodo783WQ
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrnodo783WQ
|dimensions=480
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|alignment=right
|description=Recovered 12/5/2018, via source S576a. Salzburg, site TBD. Document retrieval failed, investigation commissioned.
|container=frame
|container=frame
}}
}}
The video features a person wearing a bracelet with a black feather. In the video, this person opens an ammunition box and briefly looks at a note before the video abruptly ends.<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrnodo783WQ Box 12, Recent Acquisitions] (YouTube video).</ref> The note reads:
<pre>
<pre>
There is an itching behind my eyes as if a beetle
There is an itching behind my eyes as if a beetle
Line 133: Line 119:
Only emptiness gives me any [...]
Only emptiness gives me any [...]
I wish I had my gun.
I wish I had my gun.
</pre>  
</pre>
 
The description of the video reads:
 
<blockquote>
Recovered 12/5/2018, via source S576a. Salzburg, site TBD. Document retrieval failed, investigation commissioned.
</blockquote>


<div style="clear: both"></div>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
<br>
A notable location regarding the mentioned location in the video is the [http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/03/16/salzburg-catacombs-early-christian-place-for-secret-gatherings-and-hiding-from-persecution/ Salzburg Catacombs], which include ancient christian underground tunnel systems.


== Update 3 ==
== Update 3 ==
[[File:transmission.png|thumb|right|The "transmission" element added to the site]]
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Fi3DmXwh4
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|container=frame
}}
On February 4, 2020, a new element was added to the website's HTML, named <code>transmission</code>. By adding <code>/transmission</code> to the site's URL, hosted a file. After a <code>.wav</code> extension was added to the filename, the file could be played. It contained audio that resembled Morse code, which translated to:
<pre>
V0FFI3DDMXXWH4
</pre>


=== Summary ===
Converting the doubled letters into single uppercase letters and the single letters into lowercase letters, created the string <code>v0Fi3DmXwh4</code>: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video <code>Box 11, recent acquisitions</code>.
[[File:transmission.png|noborder|right]]
On 04/02/2020, a new element was added to HTML page code, named <code>transmission</code>.
<br>
By adding <code>/transmission</code> to the site url, [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/transmission a file] can be downloaded.
<br>
After a <code>.wav</code> extension was added to the filename, the file could be opened.
<br>
<br>
Upon opening the file, an audio that resembles morse code is played.
<br>
The morse code was translated to <code>V0FFI3DDMXXWH4</code>.
<br>
<br>
By treating the double letters as uppercase and the rest as lower case, we get <code>v0Fi3DmXwh4</code>,<br> which results in the YouTube ID for the video <code>Box 11, recent acquisitions</code>.


=== Box 11, recent acquisitions ===
=== Box 11, recent acquisitions ===
The person in the video is seen operating a short wave radio, which plays an ominous sound of a person singing the song "See Saw Margery Daw".<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Fi3DmXwh4 Box 11, recent acquisitions] (YouTube video).</ref>
The description of the video reads:
<blockquote>
Recovered 3/3/2017, website acquisition. Private workshop, Saint-Denis, Paris. Cover note: "Qu'avec cette vieille radio et qu'en cet endroit précis."
</blockquote>
The "cover note" can be translated from French into English:
<blockquote>
Only with this old radio and in this specific place.
</blockquote>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
== Update 4 ==
{{#evt:
{{#evt:
service=youtube
service=youtube
|id=https://youtu.be/v0Fi3DmXwh4
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KaDkmxsvTo
|dimensions=480
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|alignment=right
|description=Recovered 3/3/2017, website acquisition. Private workshop, Saint-Denis, Paris. Cover note: "Qu'avec cette vieille radio et qu'en cet endroit précis."
|description=Recovered 13/7/2018, via source S576a.
|container=frame
|container=frame
}}
}}
The video takes place in Saint-Denis, Paris, in an old workshop.
On February 13, 2020, a new "Press Kit" button was added to the site.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200220031932/https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game.] Archived February 20, 2020 from [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ the original].</ref> The button lead to a [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B46VxpjfO5WCbVlKZm0wWnJQelE Google Drive folder], which contained sub-folders for each of Frictional's games.
<br>
<br>
The person in the video is seen operating a short wave radio, which plays an ominous sound of a person singing the song "See Saw Margery Daw".
<br>
<br>
Cover note translation: <code>"Only with this old radio and in this specific place."</code>
<br>
<br>
A notable location regarding the mentioned location in the video is the [http://catacombes.paris.fr/en Paris Catacombs], which include ancient underground tunnel systems.
<div style="clear: both"></div>


== Update 4 ==
Inside the <code>unannounced</code> folder, another folder was found, which contained 11 image files. Each file's name was a single character. The images were pieced together to form an incomplete image. When reading the names of each photo from top-left to bottom-right, the following string was created <code>1KaDkmxsvTo</code>: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3)</code>.


=== Summary ===
<gallery mode="packed">
[[File:torn_puzzle.png|thumb|right|Result of the re-arranged image pieces.]]
File:torn_puzzle.png|The assembled image
On 13/02/2020, a new button named <code>Press Kit</code> was added to the site.
</gallery>
<br>
The button lead to a [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B46VxpjfO5WCbVlKZm0wWnJQelE google drive folder], which contains sub-folders for each of Frictional's games.
<br>
Inside the <code>unannounced</code> folder, another folder was found, which contains 11 image files. The name of each file is made of one letter.
<br>
<br>
The images were placed together and formed an incomplete image.
<br>
The names of each photo were put together from top-left to bottom-right, and resulted in: <code>1KaDkmxsvTo</code>, which is the YouTube ID for the video <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3)</code>


=== Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3) ===
=== Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3) ===
The person in this video wears a bracelet with a black feather on it, suggesting it is the same person from [[#Box 12, Recent Acquisitions|Box 12, Recent Acquisitions]]. This video is dated two months after Box 12, Recent Acquisitions.
The subject of the video is an artifact made of sticks and feathers. The person retrieves a golden ring carved with symbols from within the artifact, but the symbols are not clearly visible.<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KaDkmxsvTo Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3)] (YouTube video).</ref>
The description of the video reads:
<blockquote>
Recovered 13/7/2018, via source S576a. Algeciras, worksite, ex-warehouse - prev. owners Ortiz Marin (until 2004), GPDS (1997-2004), Estrella del Sur (1973-1995), Sterling Shipping Company (1942?-1973).
</blockquote>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
== Update 5 ==
{{#evt:
{{#evt:
service=youtube
service=youtube
|id=https://youtu.be/1KaDkmxsvTo
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89yt-88RhvQ
|dimensions=480
|dimensions=480
|alignment=right
|alignment=right
|description=Recovered 13/7/2018, via source S576a.
|description=Recovered 12/2/2016, website acquisition. Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. Recovery team dispatched, could not locate site or anomaly.
|container=frame
|container=frame
}}
}}
On February 20, 2020, a new entry appeared in the HTML code of the website:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200229093842/https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ Next Frictional Game.] Archived February 29, 2020 from [https://nextfrictionalgame.com/ the original].</ref>
<pre>
// Kifpd kmxdzs rwxszr xe f rbkrwfspz bsdsxls
// Woz fsxnfiv uxzr sxw itz ts woz covrtpfi exmn
// Kzvxsu rtjow, woz itszr xe woz lxmiu wltrw flfv emxn zhbtitkmtbn fsu fmz mzrofczu
// Tw tr f wzfm ts woz gzti
// Lofw itzr kzvxsu?
// Tr wotr lofw kzpfnz xe Pfrrfsumf?
// ztjowstszvwufroztjowztjowMogH
</pre>
By solving this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substitution_cipher substitution cipher], the following message was revealed:
<pre>
Black broken stones of a substance unknown
The anomaly does not lie in the physical form
Beyond sight, the lines of the world twist and are reshaped
It is a tear in the veil
What lies beyond?
Is this what became of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassandra Cassandra]?
eightnineytdasheighteightRhvQ
</pre>
The final line of the cipher, once spaces are added, reads: <code>eight nine yt dash eight eight RhvQ</code>. This phrase becomes the string <code>89yt-88RhvQ</code>a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video <code>Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15)</code>.
=== Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15) ===
The video shows a person approaching some black stones while holding a compass. When they reach the black stones, the compass starts to spin erratically, and the video feed glitches out before cutting. <ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89yt-88RhvQ Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15)] (YouTube video).</ref>
The description of the video reads:
<blockquote>
Recovered 12/2/2016, website acquisition. Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. Recovery team dispatched, could not locate site or anomaly.
</blockquote>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
The video takes place in Algeciras, Spain, in an ex-warehouse, previously owned by different people.
 
<br>
== Update 6 ==
<br>
{{#evt:
The person in the video wears a bracelet with a black feather on it, suggesting it is the same person from <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions</code>.
service=youtube
<br>
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AKyIjYlcFo
This events in this video take place two months after <code>Box 12, Recent Acquisitions</code>.
|dimensions=480
<br>
|alignment=right
<br>
|container=frame
A [https://evil.fandom.com/wiki/Twanas Twanas-looking artifact] made of sticks with feathers can be seen.
}}
<br>
On February 28, 11 letter-symbol pairs were scattered throughout previous ARG material and Frictional Games' social media sites:
A golden ring is located inside the artifact, with symbols craved on it.
 
<br>
<ul>
Too much light is reflected from the ring to get a good look at the symbols.
<li>[https://twitter.com/frictionalgames 1~ - From Frictional Games' Twitter banner]</li>
<div style="clear: both"></div>
<li>[https://www.frictionalgames.com/forum/thread-56731.html A* - From a Frictional Games forum thread]</li>
<li>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89yt-88RhvQ K§ - From the description of the Card 15 video, which was updated]</li>
<li>[https://frictionalgames.tumblr.com/post/611135758879916032/hello-kira-frictionalgames-how-many-frictional y^ - From a Frictional Games Tumblr post]</li>
<li>[https://www.linkedin.com/company/frictional-games/ I$ - From Frictional Games' LinkedIn page]</li>
<li>[https://twitter.com/ThomasGrip/status/1233042694957604864 j= - From Grip's desk]</li>
<li>[https://www.instagram.com/p/B9E3g4GjvXX/ Y@ - From a Frictional Games Instagram post]</li>
<li>[https://www.facebook.com/frictionalgames/photos/pb.212416275440.-2207520000../10163184223900441/?type=3&theater l# - From a Frictional Games Facebook post]</li>
<li>[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HP8mSslu4_0z7kSk4DTT4uVseM6ocCxm c/ - From c.png in the press kit Google Drive]</li>
<li>[https://frictionalgames.com/press-kit/ F! - Found in the Press Kit page in Frictional Games' site]</li>
<li>[https://twitter.com/frictionalgames o% - From Frictional Games' Twitter bio]</li>
</ul>
 
In addition, a new entry appeared in the HTML of https://nextfrictionalproject.com, consisting of 11 lines. Each of the 11 symbols could be associated to the meaning of one of the 11 lines. The result was:
<pre>
The rise and fall of dunes, the waves of a waterless sea - 1~
A single star burns in the void; below it is nothing but dust - A*
Two lizards dance in the heat, writhing across the sand - K§
A tower pierces the sky; an impossible point of ascent - y^
 
To plunder the earth for gold, then realise your coin has no worth - I$
To travel a well-trodden road, then find yourself pathless and lost - j=
To gaze at a circle of glass, to discover a world lies within - Y@
Life is the simplest of games, a game it seems no-one can win - l#
 
The veil is split in two, - c/
The fear gives rise to rage, - F!
A hundred lives from now, all this will be memory, lost in the desert. - o%
</pre>
 
This procedure indicated that the correct order for the letters was <code>1AKyIjYlcFo</code>: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video "'''I am [https://amnesia.fandom.com/wiki/Tasi_Trianon Tasi]'''", a teaser video for Amnesia: Rebirth.
 
== Game Reveal ==
 
On March 4, 2020, Frictional Games publicly posted a video to their Twitter account titled <code>Box 17, Card 9</code>. The video features two people exploring a cave before being attacked by an unseen entity.<ref>Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 4, 2020). [https://x.com/frictionalgames/status/1235234092234481664 Box 17, Card 9] (Tweet).</ref>
 
On March 6, 2020, Frictional Games officially revealed Amnesia: Rebirth in an announcement trailer, thus concluding the ARG.
 
{{#evt:
service=youtube
|id=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NiQAlGUw_o
|dimensions=480
|alignment=center
|container=frame
}}
 
Frictional Games later released more promotional videos for Amnesia: Rebirth, which followed the same format as the videos discovered in the ARG:
 
<ul>
<li>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXeIBJHpUag Box 6, Reel 3] (posted March 25, 2020)</li>
<li>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3AJtglmdcc Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 12)] (posted April 8, 2020)</li>
<li>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SckGvWE9ImU Box 16, Card 5] (posted May 13, 2020)</li>
<li>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrIxyKTjmjY Box 1, Reel 2] (posted June 25, 2020)</li>
</ul>
 
== References ==
<div style="font-size: 12px">
<references />
</div>

Latest revision as of 20:40, 1 December 2025

Amnesia: Rebirth ARG
Completed on 2020-03-06
Type Official
Creator Frictional Games
Discovered 2020-01-23
Completed 2020-03-06

List of Investigations > Amnesia: Rebirth ARG

The Amnesia: Rebirth ARG was an official ARG created to reveal and promote Amnesia: Rebirth, created by Frictional Games. The game was initially teased under the title Secret Project #1. The ARG took place on the Next Frictional Game website, and involved finding YouTube video IDs by solving puzzles hidden within the site.

Background

Load video
YouTube

On December 10, 2019, a one-second video of a growing embryo was uploaded to https://nextfrictionalgame.com/, a website that Frictional Games had historically used to promote their upcoming projects. Throughout the next several months, new videos were sporadically uploaded to the site.[1] As new videos were uploaded, the previous videos were deleted. Each video was named after the date it was posted, following the format MMDD.[2]

Update 1

On January 23, 2020, the website was updated with the first clue for the ARG: a new "eye" icon next to the existing social media icons.[3] Hovering over the icon revealed a YouTube video ID suWaF-aIdV4, which led to a video named Box 52, Tape 16.

By inspecting the HTML of the site, another YouTube video ID pBW3V85Y-I4 was found in a <meta> element with the name artefact. The ID led to a video named Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success.

  • The "eye" icon with its hover text
    The "eye" icon with its hover text
  • The added HTML element
    The added HTML element

Box 52, Tape 16

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YouTube

The video shows a collection of rocks near a body of water, and then zooms in on a rock with peculiar symbols craved on it.[4] The description of the video reads:

Video Cassette 16/2/83, copy from a private collection. Marked Shetpe, KSSR.

The acronym "KSSR" refers to the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, now Kazakhstan.

Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success

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YouTube

Nothing can be seen in the video, but three monstrous screams can be heard.[5] The description of the video reads:

Artefact 1/7/115, marked "Triple Crown". Video unrecoverable, Audio track fragment reconstructed, denoised.

Update 2

The hidden text on the website

On January 29, 2020, hidden text was added to https://nextfrictionalgame.com.[6] The text could be made visible by highlighting the lower part of the website. It read:

Exxpedition: frrequenncy oof raddioo 78.3 short WWave seQQuence

The duplicated letters in this phrase, combined with the numbers, created the string xrnodo783WQ: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video Box 12, Recent Acquisitions.

Box 12, Recent Acquisitions

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The video features a person wearing a bracelet with a black feather. In the video, this person opens an ammunition box and briefly looks at a note before the video abruptly ends.[7] The note reads: 

There is an itching behind my eyes as if a beetle
burrows there in the gold of my brain, boring
its way in, mandibles clawing at grey matter
as if a gnarled finger has been pushed
into my skill, a broken fingernail working 
into my thoughts. I want to reach in
with a needle to scratch it or
perhaps a piece of wire through the tear duct, threading through the
lacrimal canal.

Threadlike black worms squirm in my eye. When I think about them they
are agitated and start to trash around. 
They know I am scared
and it makes them worse.

If I hold myself still, if I ease my mind, if I empty 
my head and try not to be afraid
of [...] then the itching fades to the
tickling of a feather. I've tried
filling myself with the notes of a
song or the colours of a beautiful picture, but it doesn't work.
Only emptiness gives me any [...]
I wish I had my gun.

The description of the video reads:

Recovered 12/5/2018, via source S576a. Salzburg, site TBD. Document retrieval failed, investigation commissioned.

Update 3

The "transmission" element added to the site
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YouTube

On February 4, 2020, a new element was added to the website's HTML, named transmission. By adding /transmission to the site's URL, hosted a file. After a .wav extension was added to the filename, the file could be played. It contained audio that resembled Morse code, which translated to: 

V0FFI3DDMXXWH4

Converting the doubled letters into single uppercase letters and the single letters into lowercase letters, created the string v0Fi3DmXwh4: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video Box 11, recent acquisitions.

Box 11, recent acquisitions

The person in the video is seen operating a short wave radio, which plays an ominous sound of a person singing the song "See Saw Margery Daw".[8]

The description of the video reads:

Recovered 3/3/2017, website acquisition. Private workshop, Saint-Denis, Paris. Cover note: "Qu'avec cette vieille radio et qu'en cet endroit précis."

The "cover note" can be translated from French into English:

Only with this old radio and in this specific place.

Update 4

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YouTube
Recovered 13/7/2018, via source S576a.

On February 13, 2020, a new "Press Kit" button was added to the site.[9] The button lead to a Google Drive folder, which contained sub-folders for each of Frictional's games.

Inside the unannounced folder, another folder was found, which contained 11 image files. Each file's name was a single character. The images were pieced together to form an incomplete image. When reading the names of each photo from top-left to bottom-right, the following string was created 1KaDkmxsvTo: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3).

  • The assembled image
    The assembled image

Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3)

The person in this video wears a bracelet with a black feather on it, suggesting it is the same person from Box 12, Recent Acquisitions. This video is dated two months after Box 12, Recent Acquisitions.

The subject of the video is an artifact made of sticks and feathers. The person retrieves a golden ring carved with symbols from within the artifact, but the symbols are not clearly visible.[10]

The description of the video reads:

Recovered 13/7/2018, via source S576a. Algeciras, worksite, ex-warehouse - prev. owners Ortiz Marin (until 2004), GPDS (1997-2004), Estrella del Sur (1973-1995), Sterling Shipping Company (1942?-1973).

Update 5

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YouTube
Recovered 12/2/2016, website acquisition. Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. Recovery team dispatched, could not locate site or anomaly.

On February 20, 2020, a new entry appeared in the HTML code of the website:[11] 

// Kifpd kmxdzs rwxszr xe f rbkrwfspz bsdsxls
// Woz fsxnfiv uxzr sxw itz ts woz covrtpfi exmn
// Kzvxsu rtjow, woz itszr xe woz lxmiu wltrw flfv emxn zhbtitkmtbn fsu fmz mzrofczu
// Tw tr f wzfm ts woz gzti
// Lofw itzr kzvxsu?
// Tr wotr lofw kzpfnz xe Pfrrfsumf?
// ztjowstszvwufroztjowztjowMogH

By solving this substitution cipher, the following message was revealed: 

Black broken stones of a substance unknown 
The anomaly does not lie in the physical form
Beyond sight, the lines of the world twist and are reshaped 
It is a tear in the veil 
What lies beyond? 
Is this what became of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassandra Cassandra]? 
eightnineytdasheighteightRhvQ

The final line of the cipher, once spaces are added, reads: eight nine yt dash eight eight RhvQ. This phrase becomes the string 89yt-88RhvQa valid YouTube video ID that led to the video Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15).

Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15)

The video shows a person approaching some black stones while holding a compass. When they reach the black stones, the compass starts to spin erratically, and the video feed glitches out before cutting. [12]

The description of the video reads:

Recovered 12/2/2016, website acquisition. Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. Recovery team dispatched, could not locate site or anomaly.

Update 6

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YouTube

On February 28, 11 letter-symbol pairs were scattered throughout previous ARG material and Frictional Games' social media sites:

In addition, a new entry appeared in the HTML of https://nextfrictionalproject.com, consisting of 11 lines. Each of the 11 symbols could be associated to the meaning of one of the 11 lines. The result was: 

The rise and fall of dunes, the waves of a waterless sea - 1~
A single star burns in the void; below it is nothing but dust - A*
Two lizards dance in the heat, writhing across the sand - K§
A tower pierces the sky; an impossible point of ascent - y^

To plunder the earth for gold, then realise your coin has no worth - I$
To travel a well-trodden road, then find yourself pathless and lost - j=
To gaze at a circle of glass, to discover a world lies within - Y@
Life is the simplest of games, a game it seems no-one can win - l#

The veil is split in two, - c/
The fear gives rise to rage, - F!
A hundred lives from now, all this will be memory, lost in the desert. - o%

This procedure indicated that the correct order for the letters was 1AKyIjYlcFo: a valid YouTube video ID that led to the video "I am Tasi", a teaser video for Amnesia: Rebirth.

Game Reveal

On March 4, 2020, Frictional Games publicly posted a video to their Twitter account titled Box 17, Card 9. The video features two people exploring a cave before being attacked by an unseen entity.[13]

On March 6, 2020, Frictional Games officially revealed Amnesia: Rebirth in an announcement trailer, thus concluding the ARG.

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Frictional Games later released more promotional videos for Amnesia: Rebirth, which followed the same format as the videos discovered in the ARG:

References

  1. ↑ Frictional Games. Website Clips. Accessed December 1, 2025.
  2. ↑ Amnesia: Rebirth - Analysis / Theories / ARG document. Accessed December 1, 2025.
  3. ↑ Next Frictional Game. Archived January 30, 2020 from the original.
  4. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). Box 52, Tape 16 (YouTube video).
  5. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). Box 7 Reel 2, Partial Success (YouTube video).
  6. ↑ Next Frictional Game. Archived January 30, 2020 from the original.
  7. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 3, 2020). Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (YouTube video).
  8. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). Box 11, recent acquisitions (YouTube video).
  9. ↑ Next Frictional Game. Archived February 20, 2020 from the original.
  10. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). Box 12, Recent Acquisitions (Card 3) (YouTube video).
  11. ↑ Next Frictional Game. Archived February 29, 2020 from the original.
  12. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 5, 2020). Box 11, Recent Acquisitions (Card 15) (YouTube video).
  13. ↑ Frictional Games [@frictionalgames] (March 4, 2020). Box 17, Card 9 (Tweet).
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