I was right! New ARG for The Secret World

It looks like my earlier guess was correct.

Funcom have announced a new Alternate Reality Game for The Secret World. The game leads up to a new event marking the end of the world (according to the Mayan calender anyway) due to take place on December 21st 2012.

"Mankind has been warned. On December 21st there will be a cataclysmic event that marks the end of time as we know it. It is time to prepare."

You can sign up to take part in the event here. You can optionally add your mobile number, email and twitter account, so expect to be contacted by mysterious agents with strange messages if you do so!

You don't have to be a current subscriber to take part, but if you do you could receive prizes including an exclusive in-game monk outfit, experience potions, an end-of-the-world survival outfit and an invitation to a special event with the developers.

The ARG seems to kick off right on the start up page, which shows a sinister green light bulb as a creepy-as-hell voice mutters things in a strange language (it sounds like Latin to me).

Make sure you don't miss out by signing up, and keep an eye on the forums to see how the game progresses!

Updates below.

The creepy speech on the sign-up page appears to be Spanish (not Latin as I thought), and is a prayer called "Oración en contra de los maleficios".

Dios, nuestro Señor, Rey de todos los tiempos, Grande y Todopoderoso, tú que lo creaste todo y que lo transformas todo simplemente por tu voluntad; tú que cambiaste en rocío las llamas del horno que había sido calentado siete veces más y protegiste y salvaste a tus tres santos hijos:

Tú eres el doctor y médico de nuestras almas. Tú eres la salvación de los que se vuelven a ti. Te suplico que anules, destruyas y apartes de mí todo poder, presencia y maquinaciones diabólicas; cada influencia del mal, maleficio o mal de ojo, y todas las malas acciones dirigidas hacia mí.

Donde haya envidia y malicia, dame abundancia de bondad, paciencia, victoria y caridad. Oh Señor, tu que amas al hombre, te ruego que extiendas tus poderosas manos y tu grandísimo y poderoso brazo y vengas en mi ayuda.

Envía tu ángel de paz sobre mí, para proteger mi cuerpo y mi alma. Que él pueda mantener alejado y vencido a todo el poder del maligno y cada palabra venenosa o maliciosa invocada en mi contra por personas corruptas y envidiosas.

Entonces, bajo la protección de tu autoridad, podré con gratitud cantar: “El Señor es mi salvación; ¿a quién temeré?”. No temeré mal alguno porque tú estás conmigo, mi Dios, mi fortaleza, mi poderoso Señor, Señor de la Paz, Padre de todos los tiempos. Amén.

English translation:

God, our Lord, King of ages, All-powerful and Almighty, you who made everything and who transform everything simply by your will; you who changed into dew the flames of the seven-times hotter furnace and protected and saved your three holy children:
You are the doctor and physician of my soul. You are the salvation of those who turn to you. I beseech you to make powerless, banish, and drive out every diabolic power, presence and machination; every evil influence, malefice or evil eye and all evil actions aimed against me.
Where there is envy and malice, give me an abundance of goodness, endurance, victory and charity. O Lord, you who love man, I beg you to reach out your powerful hands and your most high and mighty arms and come to my aid.
Send your angel of peace over me, to protect my body and soul. May he keep at bay and vanquish every evil power, every poison or malice invoked against me by corrupt and envious people.
Then under the protection of your authority may I sing with gratitude, “The Lord is my salvation; whom should I fear?” I will not fear evil because you are with me, my God, my strength, my powerful Lord, Lord of peace, Father of all ages. Amen.

Kudos to Fenya for the information.