The 2012 Video Game Awards abounded with celebrity appearances and videogames, but one of the most exciting highlights was the unveiling of Dark Souls 2.

The much-anticipated sequel is no longer just rumors and speculation. Dark Souls 2 is a reality, and it's coming to PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 (PS3).

The trailer is no longer available on YouTube, but can be seen on Kotaku's Web site, though it doesn't give much to go on.

"Dark Souls 2 will offer loyal fans exactly the kind of demanding challenges and never-ending struggle that became the hallmark of this whole series," touted publisher Namco Bandai.

"Dark Souls II retains the core essence of Dark Souls while evolving to present new twists and challenges that are sure to please longtime fans and attract new comers to the series," added Namco Bandai Vice President of Marketing Carlson Choi. "FromSoftware is going to take a very dark path with Dark Souls II; players will need to look deep within themselves to see if they have the intestinal fortitude to embark on this journey."

On Sunday, Dec. 8, Amazon opened its pre-order page for PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the upcoming multiplatform title. The online retailer currently lists the game with a $59.99 price tag, which is the standard price for high-definition video games. Amazon has a placeholder date of Dec. 31, 2013. Meanwhile, Namco Bandai Games also opened its official Web site for Dark Souls 2, featuring artwork from the game and a hypnotic pendant hanging from the ceiling.

"This new chapter in the Dark Souls saga presents opportunities for us to drive innovation in gameplay design, develop an entirely new story, and expand the scope of the world in which the player interacts with the game. We have taken these necessary steps with Dark Souls II in order to evolve the overall experience of the Dark Souls series," said Tomohiro Shibuya, From's director for the Dark Souls sequel. "The entire development team is striving to make Dark Souls II an experience that is fresh while not forsaking its roots in presenting players with challenging gameplay. Our goal is to surprise and delight our fans with new experiences and plot twists while enticing new players to join our journey."