Blizzard files trademark for "Cataclysm"

[EternityEnd]

From wow.com

Is "Cataclysm" the name of Blizzard's next-gen MMO? This Tumblr blogger has uncovered trademark applications filed by Blizzard in the fields of computer games, paper-based products, and online entertainment services. Those trademarks are on the USPTO's website, and we can confirm that Rod A. Rigole has been employed by Blizzard as legal counsel previously, so these trademark applications, all filed late last week on June 26th, are all real.

Of course, that doesn't confirm that we're actually talking about the next-gen MMO, or that Blizzard is planning on releasing a game called "Cataclysm" at all (StarCraft: Ghost was also trademarked, and we all know what came out of that). It could be another WoW expansion (though you'd think that WoW would be in there somewhere if that was the case), or it could be a completely separate game. Not that we know of one, but Blizzard certainly is working on all kinds of projects that we haven't yet heard about officially.

So. "Cataclysm." Trademark Blizzard Entertainment. Keep an eye out for it at BlizzCon this year.

Thanks, Ryan!

Update: We noticed the domain wowcataclysm.com expired on June 26th, 2009. The domain was previously held and parked out in Australia. June 26th is the same day the trademark was filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office. The domain is also now held by GoDaddy, who we know handles Blizzard domains. That's just a little too much coincidence for us to stay quiet about. It's entirely possible Blizzard just acquired the domain name.

[SilverBreeze]

If it is Maelstrom, totally called this like 3 years ago.

Vanilla > Outland > Northrend > Maelstrom > Emerald Dream.

[SamanosukeShiva]

well if it's MMO, I hope blizzard ditch the cartoony looking style MMO and get on with the program

[Odon]

well if it's MMO, I hope blizzard ditch the cartoony looking style MMO and get on with the program

...It's a WoW expansion.

[SilverBreeze]

well if it's MMO, I hope blizzard ditch the cartoony looking style MMO and get on with the program

Protip - Less Graphical Requirements = more people can play.

Did no one learn from Age of Conan?

"FUCK THIS GAME LOOKS AWESOME"

2 hours after release...

"MAN MY GRAPHICS CARD IS ON FIRE"

[Boyiee]

If it is Maelstrom, totally called this like 3 years ago.

Vanilla > Outland > Northrend > Maelstrom > Emerald Dream.

Yeah a lot of friends and I have talked about that for years.

I've been DYING for maelstrom. BRING ON THE NAGAS AND WARLOCKS

[SilverBreeze]

Bring on Goblins as a playable race?

Please! Those two weeks during Halloween are not nearly enough lol.

[Arvin]

it's gonna be about the sundering of azeroth. the 'cataclysm'

[Guitarman]

mmo champ updated saying they saw a realm up for only a few seconds called "maelstrom 3 test". looks like it is the next expac. Can't wait!

[Tomino]

I hope blizzard ditch the cartoony looking style MMO

so they can be like the 100 others MMO around

[Gulkeeva]

Hope I can get the beta for the next expansion! Wotlk beta was pretty fun, especially for the weird and fun stuff you could do with bugs like solo all of naxx.

[Koul]

ugghhhh I want the emerald dream already!

[Plow]

This isn't the next expansion, this is the expansion after Maelstrom. It will set up, and may or may not actually be, our journey to the Emerald Dream.