Blizzard files trademark for "Cataclysm"
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 1st 2009 at 4:15PM
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.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Economy, BlizzCon, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Matt Jul 1st 2009 2:45PM
WoW: Cataclysm
Maelstrom...
chained Jul 1st 2009 2:56PM
my thoughts exactly,when I thought of WOW in relations to the word cataclysm; an image of Mealstrom came to mind. I guess it's possible that can be part of the name of the Mealstrom expansion.
Jamesisgreat Jul 1st 2009 3:27PM
In the Dragonlance books, the Cataclysm was what they called the big event that resulted in, you guessed it, a massive maelstrom! So that's exactly what I thought when I read it.
tyler Jul 1st 2009 3:29PM
do forget the mealstorm too!
UserDoesNotExist Jul 1st 2009 4:24PM
This is the very first thing I thought. I thought it was super obvious, so obvious that I didn't even need to say anything. Given the comments on Kotaku, though, it turns out it's not so obvious.
Saint Jul 1st 2009 4:41PM
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm of the Depths.
nobbie Jul 1st 2009 4:56PM
You're all wrong. Blizzard has bought ATI, and this are the new next-gen gfx card drivers ^^
AlexW573 Jul 2nd 2009 12:05AM
My thoughts exactly Matt
Finnicks Jul 4th 2009 3:35PM
My vote is on a Caverns of Time type deal that sends us all back to pre-Sundering Kalimdor as the new continent, to stop the Infinite Dragonflight from preventing the Sundering.
Xerillum Jul 11th 2009 7:38PM
Nope, everyone knows that an arms warrior made the maelstrom before blizz decided to lower the level cap down to 60 in the vanilla wow alpha. Bladestorm got nerfed in Wotlk.
doug Jul 1st 2009 2:46PM
MEGATON
Akueria Jul 2nd 2009 3:18PM
Is that like Reggaeton?
Eli Jul 2nd 2009 11:07PM
Sounds fun? A FPS by Blizzard sounds interesting. Or like a Fable-type game, but World of Warcraft, for the xbox!! My life is complete -_-
flawless Jul 1st 2009 2:54PM
Could be misinformation, but does link to the Maelstrom definately.
Impaler Jul 1st 2009 2:54PM
Megatron!
No seriously, it seems plausible for the next WOW Expansion TBH...
Caladrill Jul 1st 2009 2:55PM
If you search cataclysm on wiki, the Great Sundering comes up.
What was the Great Sundering?
When the Well of Eternity imploded creating the Maelstrom :)
Joe Jul 1st 2009 2:57PM
Is it just me or when I see Cataclysm, when associated with gaming, I think of the old but seriously awesome game Homeworld. Cataclysm was the name of it's xpac if I remember correctly. In relation to Blizz... I be willing to bet it has something to do with Starcraft or the "Next-Gen MMO".
Nick S Jul 1st 2009 3:43PM
Oh, Homeworld... I loved that game.
...must find install CD...
Muoteck Jul 1st 2009 4:20PM
You should build an altar and worship it, like me.
lilrabbit129 Jul 1st 2009 4:28PM
Homeworld:Cataclysm was pretty good. Unfortunately it was considered "not great enough" compared to the original. I thought it was pretty decent. Homeworld 2 was awesome too.