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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard 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 8 of 8)
bontiki Jul 7th 2009 9:55AM
"though you'd think that WoW would be in there somewhere if that was the case"
well blizzard already owns the rights to "World of Warcraft". For what reason would they need to include it in the cataclysm trademark?
Corey Jul 7th 2009 10:06AM
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm of the Ancients
IrishViking Jul 7th 2009 10:34AM
According to this:
http://www.networksolutions.com/whois-search/WOWCATACLYSM.COM
wowcataclysm.com is still held by
Jamie Taylor
222 Rutland Avenue
Carlisle, Western Australia 6101
Australia
until June 26, 2010. I don't think blizzard holds this domain unless this Jamie Taylor guy is somehow related to the company.
IrishViking Jul 7th 2009 10:35AM
Woops, just realized that already got posted. Sorry about that.
frodaman13 Jul 8th 2009 2:10PM
I believe it is the new xpac.
And it will be dubbed "Cat Pack" ;)
leftovercrack Jul 18th 2009 11:57AM
wowcataclysm.com is for sale on www.sedo.com?
Gazareth Jul 22nd 2009 8:41AM
why is everybody saying the potential new playable race would be worgen... why not Naga, especially if it is water based...
Torlaz Jul 25th 2009 2:25PM
Another thought on the Cataclysm could be...
I could be that the Maelstrom has torn the fabric of space and time (like the Scythe of 'Elune' channeling or Arugal summoning did), and created a link between our dimension and that of the azeroth where the worgen exist, the naga may also have come from there... (the elves caught in the sundering were ripped between both dimensions and the naga were born?)
The dimension in which Azeroth exists with worgen (apparently the worgen's world is losing the battle badly to the legion) is on the edge of destruction and 'our world' has to save it... or our world will face the same or is now linked to it's fate as well
I could see worgen allies for alliance/horde in that sense.. if we were assisting their fight.
Personally I think the alliance will get a race like ethereals.. they have the type of presence the alliance would respect. They are pretty xenophobic otherwise and would probably kill all worgen if they saw them. Mostly due to the extreme nature of their pretentious 'leader'.
Torlaz Jul 25th 2009 2:28PM
... It could be... ftl :s
Gazareth Jul 31st 2009 6:37AM
I would hate it to be worgen and goblins :( i dont think they fit the factions the way the previous races do.
Jimmy Jul 21st 2009 12:02AM
Didn't one of the lead programmers leave to do another game by Blizzard? Maybe this is the game they're working on :P
gavindass Aug 2nd 2009 11:40PM
The cataclysm is the Greek expression for the Deluge, from the Greek kataklysmos, to 'wash down' (kluzein "wash" + kata "down") and it has also been used to describe events such as the Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the tenth plague of Egypt. The modern usage of cataclysm is mostly confined to geological phenomena of high significance, such as the destruction of Pompeii, the Tunguska event, or the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.
Straight from Wikipedia
well, me theory is, the Maelstrom will calm down and the sea will lower; causing the islands of the Maelstrom to rise. With the storm calmed down (partially), to fly, we have to get storm flying.
It all makes sense once you think about it. We also need to take care of the Naga some how.
Coldblade Jul 31st 2009 4:27PM
In my opinion, it's the next WoW expansion, and it's going to be called
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm of the South Seas.
In my opinion it's going to be called Cataclysm because there's going to be a war there, and the Horde and the Alliance will be there pwning each other.
Sonimba Aug 4th 2009 2:20AM
After the defeat of Arthas, They can not make the next expansion right after the Icecrown events, I feel a time shift coming again!
Kudin Aug 4th 2009 3:28AM
This is more than likely to be the name...it's very fitting.
Considering the fact that Arthas is going to be dead relatively soon, they need a larger threat to replace him and keep people interested.
I'm going to go ahead and assume that the expansion will be based around one of two scenarios:
SCENARIO #1: THE EMERALD DREAM
The Emerald Dream will be impacted, very negatively; to the point of causing another "Cataclysm". The name's reference to the Maelstrom may be intended to throw us off into believing it will be a water holocaust.
The possibility of another "cataclysm", whether literal or metaphorical, is still as much of a possibility as a "water world".
A possibility would be that The Burning Legion (Or something else; maybe Arthas, maybe Fandral turns rogue?) attempts to corrupt the "perfect beings" inside of the Emerald Dream in order to finish off Azeroth once and for all.
It would only take the corruption of one sleeping druid's mind to gain entry.
And as we've seen in Northrend, the Emerald Dream is already starting to become slightly disturbed. Ysera freakout, anybody?
A quote from WoW Wiki about the Emerald Dream:
"Animals of all types inhabit the world, including some that are extinct on Azeroth and subspecies that never got the chance to evolve. Many fey creatures, such as sprites and faerie dragons, also roam the forests. However, it is not only the inhabitant creatures that roam the Dream."
These would be more than perfect tools to use against the forces of Azeroth, considering none of these are "intelligent civilizations", but rather, peacefully roaming monsters.
If this happens, we can expect Malfurion to awaken, either on good terms to serve the Alliance (probably killing off Fandral in the process, cause he's a douche), or awakening as a corrupted being, turning into the next Arthas. (However, this is probably very unlikely. Malfurion is just too strong-willed to let this happen.)
If Malfurion rises, we can certainly expect him to be the Alliance counterpart to Thrall. However, because he's been asleep for so long, the Horde VS Alliance concept would still remain, and he would see and Orc and yell "DEMON!". Because of this, PvP will still fit into the lore quite nicely.
SCENARIO #2: MAELSTROM
While this scenario is a bit more likely, as other users in this posting have suggested, I still believe Scenario #1 will happen EVENTUALLY.
Essentially, what this scenario is, (if you haven't already read), is that the Maelstrom "opens", with unknown water beasts, crazy Naga armies, and the "evolution" of Murloc Gods, as suggested by worldofwarcraft.com's section detailing the Murloc.
As previously stated by others, this would include a huge flooding of Azeroth, rendering it changed for a great time, and opening up an underwater world.
However, I do feel that this scenario is very flawed, as they won't totally wipe out the Classic Continents, ever. And the devs surely dare not to render it basically useless, either; it is the Classic WoW, after all.
Not to mention, this scenario would suggest a LOT of water, something that would become extremely redundant and boring. Furthermore, they would have to alleviate the "slow swim" and "breathing" problems that constantly hassle players on every water-related quest; and quest potions will never be sufficient; nor will mounts.
Lastly, if they seriously change Azeroth, then think of how new players will be affected? If Tirisfal Glades/Undercity is underwater, then how will the Undead population level? How will Mulgore and Elwynn Forest newbies even begin to fathom the situation around them, if they start playing in world surrounded by water and murlocs? IT WOULD BE AN EXTREME TURN-OFF! Not to mention having to actually go through and change the physical appearance of all of Azeroth? Not happening.
An under-water expansion would just become far too boring, as well as confusing. Perhaps a new continent will be pushed up, where the forces of Azeroth have to find a way to close up the Maelstrom, while the underwater forces fight back, as well as the Burning Legion dipping it's hand into the scenario.
If Scenario #2 happens, it is MUCH MORE LIKELY that it will lead back into Scenario #1:
Azeroth becomes flooded with water and overrun with water-beasts.
The continents of Azeroth slip ever closer to the Maelstrom, causing a planet-wide evacuation to the Emerald Dream; thus opening up a HUUUUUUUUGE new planet, with HUUUUUUGE new types of monsters, and causing a LOOOOOOOT of drama between the Alliance and Horde; for the Alliance will now be in the same boat as the Horde once was: struggling to fit into a new world.
This would cause plenty of PvP opportunities, as well as spark an all-out faction war.
Then, after this goes on for a year or two, the Titans decide it's time to "cleanse" everything. (While it's just a "dream", it still Physically exists to those who are there)
This could open a brand new NEW expansion for the future after the future, leading to the end of the WoW franchise in about 5 years, so Blizzard can start on another domination.
-------
But let's focus here...The Cataclysm may not even be the expansion's title, however, I still believe the next expansion will greatly focus upon the Emerald Dream, and will have Malfurion awaken regardless of whether it's a water-world, or whether it's a happy green paradise.
sorrycom123 Aug 7th 2009 10:48PM
just try!