Game industry sleuthing site, Superannuation has unearthed that Blizzard Entertainment has filed three new patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, with all three being tied to the name ‘Cataclysm’.
One filing covers the use of the term as it relates to computer games and mouse pads. The second seeks to patent the name for use in entertainment services (specifically online games), and the third covers a wide range of uses, including comics, strategy guides, colouring books, stickers, greeting cards, manuals, and art prints.
While it can be speculated that “cataclysm” (defined as a violent upheaval or tremendous flood) could fit some of Blizzard’s existing franchises, it could also possibly be tied to a new franchise. Because of this, the internet has run rampant with the rumours that “Cataclysm” is the name of Blizzard’s new MMORPG, seeing how Blizzard has stated that the game will be based on new intellectual property.
Blizzard is yet to comment or confirm anything on the matter, stating that “We appreciate the interest, but we don’t have any details to share at this time”.
Source: Cnet and Gamespot
Ewoudt Cloete
