Assume running position

Naruto fans have reason to raise their eyebrows (and arms) today, as a Bandai Namco trademark seemingly points to a new title in CyberConnect2 developed Ultimate Ninja Storm series.

As spotted by Gematsu, Bandai Namco filed a trademark just yesterday with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for an "Ultimate Ninja Storm Connections" �a title ??that has yet to be announced or even hin?ted at by the publisher.

The series' most recent entry, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, launched way back in 2016, (although it did receive a Switch port in 2020), so it has been quite some time since Naruto and pals got their... erm... Ultimate Ninja on. The most recent Naruto title was 2018's Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Strikers, though some of the anime/manga series' spritely sluggers have since joined the roster of crossover characters in Epic Games' battle royale juggernaut Fortnite.

No doubt we will be hearing more news on this new Naruto trademark from Bandai Namco at some point in the near future. In the meantime, Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is available now on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

Bandai ??Namco trademarks Ultimate Ninja Storm CONNECTIONS in Europe [Gematsu]

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Welcome to thee Hotel Bar-ce-lona...

Further fuel has been added to the rumor fire concerning Suda51, Swery65, and an as-yet-unannounced horror project allegedly involving both �As whispers persist that the developers may be joining forces for a grim new video game, some newly-filed trademarks add furt?her possibility to the supposed project.

As spotted by VGC, White Owls, (the studio helmed by Hidetaka “Swery 65�Suehiro), recently secured international trademarks for both "Hotel Barcelona" and "Death Game Hotel". Both terms had been previously secured for use in Japan back in March of this year, and while all has been quiet in regard to any s??uch game, these new, international filings would suggest that the project is still at the forefront of the developers' minds.

"Hotel Barcelona" is, seemingly, a placeholder name for a project that Goichi "Suda51" Suda has wanted to develop alongside Swery65 for some time. The project was initially referenced during an IGN live stream back in 2019, where it came across as an improvised, pie-in-the-sky idea. Since then, however, various clues have pointed to the possibility that the game is, in fact, in development. Just last week, for example, a behind-the-scenes video shot at Suda's Grasshopper Manufacturer studio showed an artist working on some grotesque monsters.

Regardless, both developers ??remain tight-lipped as to what Hotel Barcelona is, whether it is definitely in the works, or when we'll be hearing more about it. It's a tantalizing prospect, at ??any rate. We shall see.

New tra?demarks have been filed for the horror game from Suda51 and Swery65 [VGC]

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What's in a name?

[Update: It turns out that Symbiogenesis is just another drab NFT/blockchain project from Square Enix. It's coming in spring 2023, and we don't know if it is, indeed, related to Parasite Eve at all. But we lik??ely won't be covering it anyway, so who cares?]

Square Enix has filed a trademark for a mysterious new project, which has led some fans to nervously anticipate the return of a classic IP �The Japanese publisher laid claim to the term "Symbiogenesis" earlie?r this month on October 13, ?ultimately being granted licensing rights last week.

The term Symbiogenesis is an evolutionary theory that concerns the act of two early-evolving organisms coming together to form a singular entity, that then continues to evolve while taking on the attributes of its two base organisms. Importantly, however, it also forms the basis of the plotline for the cult RPG series Parasite Eve, which has b??een missing in action for quite some time, much to the chagrin of its devoted fan community.

Launching on PlayStation in 1998, Parasite Eve is a video game sequel to Hideaki Sena's 1995 novel, and concerns the investigations of a New York police officer, Aya Brea, who is investigating the arrival of a mysterious, otherworldly woman �linked to a series of horrific fires across the city. In the game, symbiogenesis is the antagonist's tool of choice, having discovered to way to cause a collision in human cells that results in spontaneous combustion. Though followed by a sequel in 1999 and a shooter spin-off (The 3rd Birthday) in 2010, Parasite Eve fans have been eager??ly awaiting the series' r??eturn.

Now, for full ??clarity, there is no official word that this trademark is a new title in the acclaimed series, but the attendance of Square E??nix, as well as the use of a very specific term, will go some way to encourage fans to start eagerly fidgeting in their seats. Hopefully, the legendary developer will see fit to confirm the details, one way or the other, very soon.

Square Enix trademarks Symbiogenesis in Japan [Gematsu]

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Back to the links?

Clap Hanz, the indie outfit behind the beloved Everybody's Golf franchise, has registered two new golf??-related trademarks, suggesting that the Yokohama-based studio might be preparin??g to return to the green in the near future.

As spotted by ResetEra users, (and later reported by VGC), the trademarks Easy Come, Easy Golf and ���もGOLF, (which roughly translates to "Golf Anytime"), were registered together, which suggests that they are localized names for the exact same project. Whether this represents an all-new golfing franchise or is merely a rebranding for the previously released Apple Arcade game Clap Hanz Golf is unknown.

Everybody's Golf launched on PlayStation in 1997 to immediate success, presenting quality golf gameplay with accessible controls, tight mechanics, and a generally cheerful and charming comedic aesthetic. This original release would be followed by over 10 sequels and spin-offs on various PlayStation and mobile platforms. The last iteration launched on PSVR in 2019. Given the closure of PlayStation Studios �as well as an overall disinterest in supporting third-party ?projects �the chance of the series returning anytime soon is incredibly?? unlikely.

The franchise is definitely missed by its dedicated playerbase. Given golf's intricate technicalities, titles such as the Clap Hanz series �as well as franchises such as Mario Golf and Golf Story �are often very successfu?l, stripping back the simulation efforts and replacing them with colorful and charismatic visuals. Hopefully, Clap Hanz will reveal its plans for the new trademarks very soon.

Everybody’s Golf studio has reg?istered trademarks for a potential new golf g?ame [VGC]

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Da-ba-dee da-ba-dow

Bandai Namco has registered an ambiguous trademark for something called "Blue Bullet Pride." The mystery IP was filed and confirmed in Japan earlier this month, before being made public this morning.

As noted by Gematsu, there is little in the way of clues as to what Blue Bullet Pride represents. Bandai Namco Japan was working on an online action-RPG known as Blue Protocol, so there are similarities there, but that title has been quiet since an announcement made during the Bandai Namco Studio Creators' Night live stream �?which was held way back in the fall of 2021.

It ?seems that this is simply going to be one of those cases where we just have to wait and see until the veteran developer/publisher is ready to play its hand. Of course, we'll be sure to let you know the score should any new information be forthcoming.

Bandai Namco Online trademarks Blue Bullet Pride i??n Japan [Gematsu]

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The old waiting game...

Square Enix has splurged out on a selection of mysterious trademarks, recently filed in Japan and seemingly related to its iconic RPG title Final Fantasy VII Remake as well as multiple unknown IPS.

The first of the three trademarks, as noted by Gematsu, is for Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. A title that is already available on PS5 and PC via Epic Games Sto??re. The tr??ademark could suggest that a re-release is being prepared, perhaps for the PC via the Steam Store or for another platform entirely.

The other two trademarks are a total mystery, and see the publisher lay claim to "Final Bar Line" and "Labyrinth Striker." Interestingly, both titles sound like they'd be more fitting as subtitles than actual game names, which has led some to theorize that they may represent spin-offs from some of Square's franchises, such as Kingdom Hearts, Bravely Default, Dragon Quest, Octopath Traveler, or, of course, Final Fantasy itself.

For now, it all remains little more than speculation. Bu?t, with another summer of gaming reveals up ahead, it will be interesting to see if any of these new names will be coming into play in the latter half of 2022.

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Maid in Japan

It appears that the fanservice fanatics over at CyGames are getting set to launch a brand new franchise, following on from its application for "Akiba Maid War" with The J?apan Trademark Association.

Cygames, renown for cutesy cult franchises such as Granblue Fantasy, The Idolmaster, and Dragalia Lost, was granted the trademark on May 10, picking up the domain name for the property soon after. No details were revealed as to the context of Akiba Maid War, with only a simple logo released so far. As noted by Gematsu, the Japanese text "Akiba Meido Sensou" is a fun pun, as? "M??eido" is phonetically pronounced "Maid" but as written is the word for "Underworld."

That's all well and good, CyGames, but frankly, I just want my tea and biscuits. Failing that, I just want to dress up as a maid. No doubt we will hear more about Akiba Maid War as the year progres?ses, as it's getting to be about that time. Maybe it'll be a great third-person console adventure, maybe it will be a garbage gacha mobile game. Until Cygames is ready to spill the tea, it could g?o either way. Schrodinger's Maid, if you will. (You won't.)

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The Dark Pictures... or something else entirely?

Supermassive Games has recently filed a new trademark for something called "The Quarry." Ownership of the brand was granted by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on Feb?ruary 17, with the listing �complete with logo �appearing on its official website days later.

While Supermassive Games remains very busy with its great horror anthology series The Dark Pictures, the word on the street is that The Quarry represents something else entirely. In fact, back in January, Supermassive trademarked several new titles in its Dark Pictures series, all of which featured "The Dark Pictures" affix, suggesting that The Quarry will be a brand new game, independent of Supermassive's other titles. According to VGC's sources, the title will launch in 2022, and b??e distri??buted by 2K Games.

Of course, aside from the name itself, we know nothing about this project. Is it a quarry as in ?"something (or somebody) you hunt"? Or is it a quarry as in "Arnold Schwarzenegger driving around in an open-top Cadillac, shooting gangsters and listening to the Rolling Stones"? For now, it seems, we'll have to wait and see to find out the truth of the matter. I sure know which one I'm hoping for...

In the meantime, the latest release in The Dark Pictures anthology, House of Ashes, is available now on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox?? platforms.

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He's a totally outrageous paradigm

While nobody raised an eyebrow that Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and other big bucks mascot adventurers all made successful comebacks, it has been a little more surprising to see the return of lesser-remembered platforming superstars such as Bubsy Bobcat, Kao the Kangaroo, Zool, and Ty the Tasmanian Tiger. Well, it seems we might?? have another name to add to the list, with a rumor that Square Enix might be preparing a return for '90s nobody, Gex.

The whispers started after Square Enix filed a new European trademark for the brand, (as spotted by the eagle-eyes of Gematsu). While this does not necessarily confirm the existence of plans for the 'tuded lizard boi, it should be noted that Square Enix has spoken of its plans to release new titles based on classic Eidos IPs. These titles are expected to arrive in the form of sub-label "Square Enix Collective", and a Gex remaster, remake, or new sequel would certainly fit this bill. Of course, old trademarks get refreshed and revitalized on a weekly basis, but the timing, aligned with so many '90s platforming comebacks, has certainly got the Gex fanbase flicking their tails with excitement.

In hindsight, I regret that last sentence.

If a new Gex title did emerge, it would be the first release for the franchise since 1999's Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko, by which point our her??o had someone been turned into some bizarre, bootleg, "James Bond" type (who is also Stone Cold Steve Austin and also Austin Powers?) complete with UK lad's mag attitude and a human girlfriend. If I remember correctly, they actually f??uck at the climax of that game. Jesus Christ.

Whether Gex 4, a Gex remake, a Gex remastered trilogy, or a Gex nothing-at-all are on the horizon remains to be seen, but we'll be sure to g?ive you the heads up should anyone at Square Enix decide that th??e time is right for scaly secret agent's comeback.

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Sega hasn't officially announced the name of 2022's modern Sonic game yet

Sonic Frontiers might be the name of the next major Sonic game that's been teased for 2022; the one that Sonic Team's Takashi Iizuka called an "advancement" of modern Sonic games. As shared this morning on Twitter by @Renka_schedule, Sega has a trademark out for Sonic Frontiers �it was filed in Japan ??on October 22, and made public today.

//twitter.com/Renka_schedule/st?atus/1457755131030630400

What's interesting is that we know a new game is coming in 2022 for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, as teased in May's Sonic Central stream. This was the one-more-thing clo?ser for the Blue Blur's anniversary live stream, and aside from a CG s??cene of Sonic sprinting in a forest, there was a strange alien-looking rune. It was vague!

This week's trademark discovery potentially gives more weight to leaks that described the 2022 Sonic game as an open-world title that's hoping to recreate Nintendo's success with Zelda: Breath of the Wild. It was previously believed that this new game would be called Sonic Rangers, although the "Frontiers" name has been rumored as of October.

How much you're willing to read ?into the game's name is up to you, but this is Sonic the Hedgehog, after all �hopes, dreams, and speculation are part of the dril??l.

There's always the chance that Sonic Frontiers c?ould be something else, but realistically, "Frontiers" feels hand-in-hand with an open-world game concept (assuming that is, in fact, the direction Sonic Team has taken). While I'm one-hundred percent open to such a game �that actually sounds pretty neat �my confidence isn't exactly high here.

Fun and fast trave??rsal in a large-scale game world could really resonate with fans, yet there are so many other design and technological considerations that go into crafting a stellar open-world romp. If nothing else, I hope there isn't too much baggage.

I can't help but feel like Ralph Wiggum freaking out in a focus group. What do I want from modern Sonic? Everything and nothing all at once.

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Could there be a new collection incoming?

Hamster Corporation, which you will all know from the weekly Arcade Archives releases, has registered a new trademark for "Console Archives." The trademark was filed on October 6 before being offici??ally confirmed earlier this morning.

And... frankly... that's all there is to it. The registering of said trademark does not necessarily confirm nor deny any particular projects or plans, but Hamster has proven itself nothing if not undaunted in its efforts to produce a steady and constant stream of retro releases �to the point that it even earned itself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Back in 2017, the Japanese publisher stated its intention to release over 800 arcade classics, and has so far stuck to its guns, rolling out known titles such as Pac-Man, Vendetta, Sunset Riders, and Bubble Bobble alongside more obscure oddities such as Radical Radial, Guzzler, and Frisky Tom. If Hamster is cons??idering moving into the realm of re-releasing old school console titles �perhaps from the formative years of home gaming �then it would no doubt attack the proje??ct with the same level of consistency.

Whether or not Hamster has a new project in the works, we'll have to just wait and se?e.

At least I'll have some?thing else to write about on Saturdays.

The post Arcade Archives curator Hamster has trademarked ‘Console Archives’ appeared first on Destructoid.

One Piece Odyssey preparing to set sail?

Multiple new trademarks have been filed by Bandai Namco in Japan, suggesting that more video games based on the hit franchises One Piece and My Hero Academia are in the works at the anime-loving publisher.

The One Piece trademark in question was originally filed over a month ago, back on June 17, and references the title "One Piece Odyssey". This new title would be the first One Piece release from Bandai Namco since the epic RPG-brawler One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, which launched on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nint??endo Switch back in the spring of 2020.

Two further trademarks �filed in Europe on June 25 �are a little trickier to confirm, as they are simply titled "MHUI" and "MHUR" respectively. Bandai Namco has already released multiple games under the My Hero banner, so it's a snug bet that these latter trademarks represent fresh titles in the fun, superpowered series. Bandai Namco itself is yet to comment on any of these discoveries, but with multiple gaming events aligned for the coming summer, we will no doubt be hearing news on these projects very soon??.

Bandai Namco trademarks One Piece Odyssey ?in Japan, MHUI and MHUR in Europe [Gematsu]

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Insomniac's punk-rock parkour has a new home

In news that might be apropos of nothing, Sony Interactive Entertainment has officially trademarked the Sunset Overdrive brand, making?? the former Xbox exclusive an officially owned Sony IP.

When developer Insomniac Games took its crazy, hypercolor shooter to Microsoft way back in 2011, part of the exclusivity deal was Insomniac retaining ownership of the Sunset Overdrive IP. Insomniac Games would, of course, be purchased by SIE in August 2019, bringing Spider-Man ??and other Insomniac brands i?nto the Sony portfolio.

This new trademark registration, (spotted by Resetera user Sillegamer) could simply be be a case of Sony finally rubber-stamping its ownership of Sunset Overdrive — dotting the i's and crossing the t's, as it were — but the news has understandably gotten franchise fans antsy for the possibility of a PlayStation remaster or, even ??better, a brand new sequel.

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Trademarks blocked by similarly named mobile game

Activision is once again in a legal tangle over matters concerning its billion-dollar shooter, Call of Duty. This latest courtroom soiree revolves around the publisher's use of the word "Warzone" in the title of its uber-successful battle royale release Call of Duty: Warzone.

The problem began back in June 2020, when Activision filed trademarks with the U.S. patent office for "Warzone" and "Call of Duty: Warzone" as applied to its free-to-play shooter. As reported by PC Gamer, Warzone - a tabletop-style strategy title that has been using the name since 2017 - has continuously blocked these trademarks. Warzone's holding company, Warzone.com, proposes that allowing Activision to secure the word "Warzone" will hinder the former's efforts to effectively market its war??es.

Activision has denied Warzone.com's claim that the trademark would cause "consumer confusion," calling the potential mix-up "inconceivable." Activision notes that both Warzone and Call of Duty: Warzone are ?entirely different games in entirely different genres. Activision also states that th??e word "Warzone" is featured in the titles of at least 15 other mobile games, asking why Warzone.com has not taken the same fight up with any of these other, similarly named releases.

Activisio?n was supposed to complete its trademark process in December of 2020 but has received numerous extensions in order to tackle this dispute. Last week, Activision filed a new suit in efforts to bring the situation to a close, requesting that the U.S. patent office be allowed to complete Activision's trademark applications, while demanding Warzone.com recoup Activision's "reasonable" legal costs.

Warzone.

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Don't tell Tales

Eagle-eyed folk over at ResetEra have spotted a brand new trademark from publisher Bandai Namco, one that suggests the possibility of a brand new sequel in the legendary Tales series.

The trademark for "Tales of Luminaria" was quietly filed in Europe earlier this week, seemingly unrelated to any sequel/spin-off title previously acknowledged by the publisher. Of course, sometimes companies will file trademarks that ultimately amount to nothing, but "Luminaria" is a pretty specific term, so Tales fans should keep their ears pricked for a possible announcement. It should also be noted that the Tales series features multiple mobile entries.

The next mainline Tales games, Tales of Arise, is currently in development at Bandai Namco for PS4, PC, and Xbox One. Originally s??chedu??led for release in 2020, it has since been delayed to an undisclosed date due to the project's "ambitious" nature.

The post Bandai Namco trademarks unknown ‘Tales of Luminaria’ appeared first on Destructoid.

(So look surprised)

Square Enix has announced that it will be holding a live stream this weekend to celebrate the 26th anniversary of quirky Super Famicom RPG Live A Live.

Originally released back in 1994, Live A Live shook up the RPG scene by infusing sever??al unique gameplay ideas. These include the concept of guiding multiple characters through wi??ldly disconnected scenarios, as well as showcasing adaptive gameplay that changes up the battle system and other mechanics as the story progresses.

The stream will feature guest appearances from original Live A Live team members, including director Takashi Tokita, artist Kazuyuki Kurashima, composer Yoko Shimomura, and battle director Nobuyuki Inoue. Most notably, Square Enix promises a "surprise," which is likely connected to the new trademark filed by the publisher back in July.

The Live A Live stream will take place Saturday, October 3 at 20:00 JST, which is a bleary-eyed 04:00 PT / 07:00 ET. You can check out the presentation on the official Square Enix YouTube channel. We'll be sure to keep you informed ?of any reveals right here on Destructoid - so maybe just have a l??ie-in instead... And remember yer boy's working for ya.

Live A Liv??e 26th anniversary live stream set for October 3 [Gematsu]

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A fight Ubisoft didn't seem willing to take on

Ubisoft's Gods & Monsters recently underwent some rebranding, switching its name to the demonstrably-worse Immortals Fenyx Rising a few weeks ago. It has gone over like a lead balloon. In fact, it had our team wondering? if we should just refuse the new name and stick with the old one!

As it turn?s out, Ubisoft had some taurine, some guarana, and 160mg of caffeine forcing its hand.

As uncovered by TechRaptor, Monster Energy opposed Ubisoft's trademark for the title "Gods & Monsters."? The logic goes that Monster has enough of a presence within video games that Ubisoft's use could reasonably cause confusion a??????????????????????????mong consumers.

The proceedings didn't get too far. After Ubisoft answered the Complaint, the two sides filed a pair stipulated motions for extensions of time, presumably telling the court that they were attending mediation to try to sort it out without the court's involvement. A third motion for extension was filed last week, but that's well after Ubisoft unveiled the new name Immortals Fenyx Rising. It'll likely be followed with a stipulated motion t??o dismiss shortly thereafter.

Playing armchair attorney, this seems like something Ubisoft probably could've won, no? My guess is that it has less to do with whether or not Ubisoft cared to spend the money on this legal battle, and more to do with just getting the game out on shelves. Immortals has been delayed already, and its sales factor into Ubisoft's fiscal year that ends in March 2021. Fighting a protracted trademark infringement case would further delay the game. Going ahead with the name Gods & Monsters would result in an injun?ction. Ubisoft may be in t??he right, but it doesn't have the time to prove it.

Gods and Monsters Trademark Fight With Monster Energy Caused Na??me Change [TechRaptor]

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Pokemon Go

In delightfully weird news from Japan, Nintendo - along with ??Creatures Inc. and Game Freak - have applied for several new trademarks relating to the design and realisation of Pi!car!, which appears to be an environmentally sound, Pikachu-themed motor vehicle.

The new trademarks are for the "Pi!car!" name in both Japanese and English, as well as two cutesy visual designs based around Pokemon's lead critter (which you can see in the gallery below). The three trademarks fall under the categories of "Vehicle" and "Education," but none of them appear tied t??o the development of any video games.

As reported by Japanese Nintendo, the Pi!car! project is a joint venture between The Pokemon Company and car manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation, seemingly with the goal of producing a compact, petrol-free vehicle with a Pikachu theme. Whether this idea is to be realised as a mere concept car, or will ac??tually made available to the public, remains to be seen...

...But boy howdy, do I wanna see people driving Pikachu cars in my neighbour?hood.

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International trademarks raise curious questions

Square Enix has recently filed new trademarks in Australia and Europe for Live A Live, ?a Super Famicom based RPG that is yet to see ??the light of day outside of Japan in any official form.

Released way back in 1994, Live A Live featured numerous groundbreaking concepts, such as a narrative device that sees players guide different characters through seemingly disconnected scenarios, (think Octopath Traveler) and a constantly changing battle system, that switches up game mechanics from scene-to-scene. Despite these cool and unique features, Live A Live never came west, and is only playable in English v??ia an u??nofficial fan translation.

There is no word as to Square Enix's plans regarding this low-key classic, but the new trademarks could suggest a possible re-release or remaster. Here's hoping, as it would be a shame if a wider audience didn't get to experience this intri??guing title from the golden age of Square's storied RPG history. We will, of course, keep you informed should any new news be forthcoming.

Square Enix tradema??rks Liv??e A Live in Australia and Europe [Gematsu]

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Imperial Theater cast returns for an encore performance?

Sega has filed several new Sakura Wars trademarks in Japan. The legendary publisher developer has laid claim to the names "Sakura Wars B.L.A.C.K.", (as well as simply "B.L.A.C.K."), Sakura Kakumei (roughly translates as "Revolution"), and Sakura Ishin (or "Restoration"). Thanks to Gematsu for the translation.

Now, of course, trademarks are filed on a whim by publishers all of the time, so this is no confirmation of anything. However, given that Sega recently put out its very enjoyable Sakura Wars soft reboot, it would stand to reason that the company might be making plans for future sequels. Sakura Ishin also could suggest a remaster of some kind. A smart idea, given that the franchise has picked up?? some new fans recently and many previous entries never made it to western shores.

In the meantime, Sakura Wars is available now on PS4.

Sega tradem??arks Sakura Wars B.L.A.C.K., Sakura Ishin, Sakura Kakamei [Gematsu]

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It says 'Series X', funnily enough

It appears that the official logo for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Series X console brand has been revealed. The stark symbol was first spotted on the Justia Trademarks website by Reddit users.

According to the site, the monochromatic design was submitted to the United States Patent & Trademark Office by Microsoft back on April 16, before being officially registered on April 20. It should be noted that just because Microsoft has registered this particular design, there is nothing stopping t??he company from going with any other choice for the cons?ole, and not featuring this example at all.

I'm really building up the tension here, right? "P.T. Barnum b?orn again!" That's what you're ??thinking.

Anyway, here it is:

It must be said, Sony and Microsoft are both doing an outstanding job of drip-feeding us logos and controllers. But given that these next-gen machines are expected to launch within the next six-to-eight months, a release date, price, or actual game footage would also be rad. Still, with the big gaming news season on the horizon (with or without E3) it seems inevitable that?? we'll hear some of the crucial, deal-breaking features of these machines real soon.

The Xbox Series X is scheduled to launch Holiday 2020.

Microsoft trademarks Xbox Series X logo [GameSpot]

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Driller Thriller

A new trademark has been spotted on the European Global Brand Database for Mr. Driller: Drill Land, an entry in the subterranea??n puzzle series that launch??ed in Japan in 2002 but never found its way west.

This action by Bandai Namco is even more curious when you consider the publisher's recent Japanese trademark of something called Mr. Driller Encore. It's not impossible to surmise that both trademarks could be referencing the same product, that is, a remastered edition of the classic GameCube release. This is purely speculation, of course, but it's still pretty snu?g.

The last burst of Mr. Driller releases happened way back in 2009 - with the launch of titles such as Mr. Driller W, Mr. Driller Drill Till You Drop, and Mr. Driller for iOS - so fans of this cutesy, unnervingly claustrophobic series will be keeping their fingers crosse??d for ??an official confirmation soon.

Bandai Namco trademar??ks Mr Driller: Drill ??Land in Europe [Gematsu]

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Renewal for MIA sports franchise

Over the course of last week, fans of EA's seemingly-forgotten series Skate were feeling a little blue, as reports filtered through the internet that the publisher had legally abandoned? the trademark, essentially cance??lling the series itself for good.

But further digging by All Gamers has unearthed that rather than straight abandonment, EA actually renewed the Skate licence afresh back on June 24, preserving the company's hold on the IP for a further 1?0 years. This licence, of course, also pertains to all previous titles and and any possible re-releases or remakes, so although the trademark has been refreshed, it's unfortunately no confirmation of the requested Skate 4.

So while Skate has officially will not be sent spinning into the oblivion of expired trademarks anytime soon, there still might be some work to do to convince EA fans are?? still raring for another go on the half-pipe. Keep the faith you Pepsi Max lovers.

EA hasn't abandoned Skatetrademark [All Gamers]

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Pretty optimistic about the planet's lifecycle

Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan has fil??ed new trademarks for "PS6", "PS7", "PS8", "PS9" and, you guessed it, "PS10".

Of course, this is no strict confirmation of plans to release said five consoles over the next few decades, this is more than likely Sony Japan just grabbing hold of the trademarks for brand security reasons. That said, while we don't know how the video game industry will change in the future, it's very difficult to imagine a world where we don't receive a new PlayStation platform every few years. I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict all five platforms will have a remaster of The Last of Us.

The P??S5, which was trademarked back in 2006, will release in ??Holiday 2020.

Sony Interactive trademarks PS6, PS7, PS??8, PS9, and PS1?0 in Japan [Gematsu]

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Early harvest

A trailer has unofficially surfaced online for the next game in Electronic Arts' tower strategy series Plants vs. Zombies. As predicted by the European trade?mark spotted? last week, Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville will be the title of this upcoming release.

The video features a funky song about the titular town, along with footage of various characters, on both sides of the war, ba??ttling it out wit?hin a colourful suburb. Keep an eye out for a particularly edgy looking ninja toadstool.

This appears to be a very ro??ugh cut of the preview, still timestamped an??d without platform information or a release date. As is often the case with these things, the original upload has since been removed, but the video is already sprouting up elsewhere.

Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville is currently in development at Electronic Arts.

Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Ne?igh??borville trailer leaked [Gematsu / ScopesUncharted]

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Get them to the Greek

Creative Assembly have filed a new trademark with the UK's Intellectual Property Office, which appears to reveal plans for the next release in Sega's Total War Saga strategy sub-series.

The trademark, first spotted by Redditor zhxws, is for Total War Saga: Troy, and obviously points toward a Bronze Era setting for the next in this long-running and popular franchise. There are currently no more details pertaining to this release, so we don't know whether Total War Saga: Troy will stick to the Grecian wars of the era, or push the boat ??right out and include gods and mon??sters. That'd be fun though.

When Sega are good to make an official announcement on this release, we'll be sure to keep y?ou informed. Until then, ready your shield and... umm... don't look Medusa in the eyes? I dunno, I flunked mythology.

Total War Saga: Troy trademarked? on UK Intellectual Property Office [Official]

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War never changes

Electronic Arts has filed a new trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for a project known as Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville.

There are no substantial details relating to this mystery title, but the trademark conveniently comes while the publisher is at work on a new PvZ entry for PS4 and Xbox One. Select players were recently invited by email to beta test this console release, currently known only as "Picnic". Plants vs. Zombies 3, which was announced just last month, is also in the works for mobile platforms, so Neighborville could also be a re-titling for that entry.

We wil?l, of course, keep you informed whenever EA decide to spill the gr??een beans on this trademark.

P?lants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville trademarked [Gematsu via @the_marmolade]

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You and me, we could be, together foreveeeeer...

Sega Games Japan has filed a mysterious trademark for "Nights Dream Wheel", which is leaving some fans with hushed hopes that the weird world of NiGHTS might be prepping for a comeback.

The NiGHTS franchise came into being way back in 1996 with Sonic Team's groundbreaking Sega Saturn release NiGHTS Into Dreams, best remembered for its lavish fantasy world, fancy analogue controller and ultra-saccharine theme song. The titular character would return in Nintendo Wii sequel NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, and has al?so made numerou??s cameo appearances in various Sega properties.

Of course, this is all pie-in-the-sky at the moment. The trademark may not be referring to this specific NiGHTS at all. Even if so, it's no guarantee that a new title is on the way. Still, Sega are clearly attached the mysterious lead, so I wouldn't be surprised if NiGHTS made a comeback, ready to cartwheel? through our slumber-time once again.

Sega trademarks "Nights Dream Wheel" in Japan [Gematsu / Pierceword]

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Could the classic trilogy be headed west?

This past weekend, Square Enix filed a trademark in Europe for "Collection of Mana", following on from a similar trademark fil??ed in Japan back in February of this year.

While this of course is no official announcement or confirmation of anything - trademarks are filed by companies all of the time "just because" - it also points to the possibility that the long-time publisher plans to localise the 2017 Seiken Densetsu Collection for the west.

Released for Nintendo Switch in 2017, the collection consists of the three Seiken Densetsu titles: Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden (Mystic Quest), Seiken Densetsu 2 (Secret of Mana) and finally Seiken Densetsu 3, which has never seen release outside of Japan. Here's hoping that this ?is more than a frivolous legal maneuver, and that we'll be hearing exciting news about these classic RPGs soon.

Squa?re Enix has just filed a trademark for Collection of Mana in E??urope [Gematsu]

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B-A-N-A-N-A-S

Super Monkey Ball, probably the purest platformer ever,? might roll back into our lives. At long last.

Gematsu reports that Sega recently filed a trademark in Japan for Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball. Tabegoro translates ??to "ripe," "in season," "good to eat," or something along those lines. Sega has not yet anno??unced this game.

The most recent Super Monkey Ball released in 2014 on iOS and Android devices. This could be another mobile game. O?r, god willing, it could be something that's designed for Switch. Leave your preference in the comments, then Sega will tabulate the votes and release the game where??ver there's the most interest. Probably.

Seg?a trademarks Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball in Japan [Gematsu]

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