Blizzard prepares for 'cataclysm'
It's safe to assume game developer Blizzard has some big deals on its slate of unannounced projects, but new filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office suggest one of them is particularly dire. Game industry sleuthing site superannuation on Wednesday unearthed a trio of Blizzard applications filed last Friday, each covering various uses of the word "cataclysm."
One filing covers the use of the term as it relates to computer games and mouse pads. The second seeks to lock up the name for use in entertainment services (specifically online games), and the third covers a wide range of ancillary uses, including comics, strategy guides, coloring books, stickers, greeting cards, manuals, and art prints.
While the "cataclysm"--a violent upheaval or tremendous flood--could fit within Blizzard's key franchises like Diablo or Warcraft, it could also be tied up with a fresh property. In May, the developer confirmed that its long-awaited massively multiplayer online role-playing game follow-up to World of Warcraft will be based on a new intellectual property.
While the trademark filings give away the fact that Blizzard has designs for the term, they do little else. It's not uncommon for trademarks to go unrealized, as was the case with previous filings like Activision's Guitar Villain or Blizzard's own Diablo II: Salvation.
When asked for comment, a Blizzard representative told GameSpot, "We appreciate the interest, but we don't have any details to share at this time."
What sort of cataclysms would you like to see from Blizzard?
Brendan Sinclair reported for GameSpot.
but from what ive read Blizzard wants to put another 29 hero classes into the game....of coarse we know how
hecktic that would be as they are already and always have been trying to balance the classes.....
whatever it is it will be good...I mean come on its Blizzard one of or THE Greatest Gaming Companys of all time.
I think the best guess I've seen is it could be the name of the next expansion. I think we'll get news of the next hero class in Aug at Blizzcon. seems about the right time to announce the next expansion and some content spoilers.
What new property? The link here is bad.
Not likely to happen though, as both are fantasy. Also, Dragonlance lacks tanks and guns and motorcycles, so the kiddiez will think it's less cool.
http://www.wowwiki.com/Great_Sundering
- by firemonk July 8, 2009 3:23 AM PDT
- The funny thing is, you see this headline right after you see the headline about no LAN. Makes the perfect headline IMHO!
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