WRUP: Pandaren Madness Minute
by Fox Van Allen 
Aug 6th 2011 at 2:00PM
In case you haven't heard already, just this past week, Blizzard registered a trademark for Mists of Pandaria. And what, you may ask, is Mists of Pandaria?
... what? Don't look at me. I don't know.
Could Mists of Pandaria be the next expansion for World of Warcraft? There's plenty of evidence that this is the case -- Blizzard filed the same kind of trademark for Cataclysm shortly before its official announcement. Thing is, though, Mists of Pandaria could be so many things other than an expansion, too:
- A digital expansion for the WoW Trading Card Game
- Blizzard's WoW-related foray into mobile gaming
- An exciting new Plug-In scent from Glade
Adam Holisky (@adamholisky) (gplus.to/adamholisky) I've picked up Fallout: New Vegas again recently, and I think I'm going to spend a fair amount of time running around in that. Although I also need to run my heroics for the week, and I'll probably finish that up at night while drinking a nice scotch. It's really the best way to run a heroic.
As far as pandas go, well, I'm learning what to feed mine. Also looking forward to all the panda cosplay at BlizzCon this year. (I kid ...)
Allison Robert (@AllisonRobert) I'll be running back and forth to the hospital for my grandfather and then prepping/cooking for a bridal shower on Sunday, so I doubt I'll have a ton of extra time for much of anything else this weekend. Re: pandaren, I'm curious to see what they'd be like in game, but I always thought of them as Samwise's little joke thing. It'd be weird to see them playable. Oh, and in related news, hospitals with free wifi = win.
Basil Berntsen (@outdps) This weekend, I'll be playing WoW. I have crafting to catch up on and millions of gold to waste on frivolous things. My stance on pandas is that I play this game for the mechanics and the people, not the inconsistent patchwork of disparate storylines it's turned into.
Daniel Whitcomb (@danielwhitcomb) (gplus.to/danielwhitcomb) Right now, I just sort of want to catch up on sleep. We'll see how that goes, though. At the least I'll be checking the Molten Front bombing run every day to see if Hatespark is up so I can finally finish Death From Above. As far as pandas go, I don't want them. They're joke characters, and there's so much more compelling stuff to focus on. Then again, we've had to deal with offensive African stereotypes in game a lot lately -- maybe offensive Asian stereotypes will be a nice change of pace!
Elizabeth Wachowski (@leeatwaterlives) I'll be leveling my druid and my death knight, and probably playing some old FF Tactics on my 3DS --- I feel bad for neglecting that device, but iOS gaming is so much cheaper and easier. Pandaren: Sure, why not?
Fox Van Allen (@foxvanallen) (gplus.to/foxvanallen) Well, you all went and did it. After asking for iOS game recommendations on Twitter, you all said "Tiny Tower." And now I'm stuck checking my phone every six minutes, making sure my comedy club is fully stocked with LOLs.
For those curious, I also downloaded Cut the Rope and Groove Coaster, though I really haven't had much time to play either. On account of dealing with all these VIPs who want to buy out my entire stock of ROFLs. You understand.Pandaren: I honestly don't understand why people are falling off their chairs in anger or smugness over panda-men possibly being in WoW. Seriously. We have wolf-men, cat-men, cow-men, snake-men, dragon-men, and a super-intelligent talking raptor that flies off into outer space. But this is too much? An entire land of untapped potential would be less interesting than going into the Emerald Dream (yawn) to deal with night elf druid garbage again? Gotcha.
Bring on the motherf**king pandas.
Joe Perez (@Lodurzj) More League of Legends this weekend. Finally figuring out how to set up and assassinate as Wukong. Also leveling my new DK alt on Ner'zhul, seeing how far I can get her in levels. Also answering the rest of the reader emails I haven't been able to get to.
Kelly Aarons (@Cadistra) This weekend will be fireworks, working on achievements in WoW, and Catherine. Pandas? Not only could it not be the next expansion -- I mean, they're probably about halfway done on the next one when Cataclysm was announced -- but I honestly think Blizzard is just screwing with us. If they're not, then I agree with Matt, because sexy panda women will probably be quite creepy.
Lisa Poisso (@emused) (gplus.to/lpoisso) We're keeping the desktop systems turned off as much as possible due to the heat, so I won't be playing any games this weekend. As for pandas -- after spending money to race-change away from the worgen female that I tried my best to keep immersed in Gilnean lore, I'm done with furries and things like running around with my tail in the air. Pandas: /ignore.
Mat McCurley (@gomatgo) (gplus.to/gomatgo) This weekend, it's all about League of Legends and playing the Humble Indie Bundle games I picked up. Exciting. My stance on pandas: done well, it'll be fun. I'm scared, however, that we're going to get weirdly sexualized panda women, done poorly like worgen females, and it could be awful. I am hoping for the good side of things.
Matt Rossi (@MatthewWRossi) (gplus.to/MatthewWRossi) This weekend will be DA2 Legacy and hopefully some writing. As for pandaren, I see no reason to believe we're getting playable pandaren. We went to Northrend, didn't get playable tuskarr or vrykul. Just because something lives somewhere doesn't mean we'll get to play one of them. Pandaria could well be an awesome place to explore and a blank canvas for Blizzard to give us entirely new stuff on. I'd be excited to see it.
Michael Gray (@writegray) (gplus.to/writegray/) I'm probably working on building a fence and a dog run. We just found out the Dark Puppy's daycare is closing in August, so I've only a few weeks to build an extra 200 feet of fence, put a reliable dog home in it, and also get started brewing beer for BlizzCon. It's going to be a busy weekend.
As for pandas ... well. I'm waiting to see if it's true, and then what they'll be like. I hate to be that guy, but if it's just copy/paste of current pandaren crap ...I just don't know. I'm not looking to have Blizzard do offensive Asian stereotypes for the lulz. I'm holding out faith that it won't turn out that way.
Robin Torres (@cosmiclaurel) (gplus.to/cosmiclaurel) The adorable but needy Spawn is taking all of my time, so I only have the chance to play games that can be paused or are otherwise not MMO-y: Faerie Solitaire, Tiny Tower and maybe some Firelands dailies after she goes to bed. As far as the panda news, I am hoping that it is some cutesy mobile app (which I would love) and not the actual expansion.
Tyler Caraway (@murmursofadruid) ...
Tyler was probably too busy with his boyfriend to write any of this WRUP nonsense this week. And how could you blame him, really?
The weekend is the perfect time to kick back, relax and enjoy some game time. Are you an achievement junkie? Can't get enough raiding? Rolling a new alt? Considering taking the leap into roleplaying? Whatever your favorite way to play World of Warcraft, let us know in the comments what you're playing this weekend!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Arbolamante Aug 6th 2011 2:15PM
I'm with you Adam. My main's a healer. Running a heroic as healer without your beverage of choice is generally not advised. Not good for one's mental health.
Arrohon Aug 6th 2011 2:16PM
As always Fox was full of win. BTW, for those of you with bear mounts... I wouldn't be riding them near any pandaren if I were you!
GreenReaper Aug 6th 2011 2:21PM
"thing is, though, Mists of Pandaria could be so many things other than an expansion, too:"
That's not how trademarks work. You have to file them for a specific class or classes of products. An exciting new Plug-In scent from Glade wouldn't count. Here's the application:
http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=85384110
"Computer game software" and "Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games"
PS: they had to pay at least $550 to file under those two classes, and probably double that for the time of the lawyer they assigned to do it. Not the sort of thing you do on a whim.
Fox Van Allen Aug 6th 2011 2:45PM
Really? You don't think that Mists of Pandaria could be a new Glade Plug-In scent? I don't understand! I was so sure that was a legitimate possibility! That's the only possible reason I could have listed it there -- because I thought it was possible! D:
AudreyR Aug 6th 2011 2:54PM
Thought it would be double-packed with the new scent, Nasalful of Nagrand.
Anathemys Aug 6th 2011 3:32PM
$550, huh?
Hm...
Yeah, I could totally see Blizz shelling out $550 for some sick kicks and giggles. Now, the only thing that makes me suspicious is that they already missed their opportunity to use it as an April Fool's Day prank...
GreenReaper Aug 6th 2011 3:37PM
From the look of the trademark documents they actually used the more-expensive method, which was $650 (plus any of their own legal fees).
The trademark office might also get kinda pissed if you promise that you're gonna bring a product out (which is what this application is) and don't - you can't just register a mark that you don't already use and don't intend to. Though I admit, it would be hilarious to see scents listed as a class.
AudreyR Aug 6th 2011 4:23PM
Filing trademarks on phantom products is common in most industries. It's a tactic to throw off competitors.
Donegan Aug 6th 2011 7:53PM
AudreyR is correct - you are under no obligation to bring any product or service to market after you file a trademark. The Trademark Register is actually full of trademark listings with their status as Abandoned (instead of Active). And as already pointed out, the trademark filing process is not particularly expensive, especially for a big money-maker like Blizzard. The only time trademarking something becomes an expensive endeavor is when someone challenges yours - and then the lawyers are the ones who benefit. I think it would hilarious if they filed it just to throw everyone off, and I wouldn't put it past them. Only time will tell. Or a more illuminating leak.
Ilimra Aug 7th 2011 1:46AM
Has anyone pointed out 'online computer game' could possibly refer to a facebook game? could make sense. its a vast market untapped by blizzard so far.
greywolfe Aug 7th 2011 4:45AM
except we're all forgetting that it's actiblizz now.
uncle kotick would never allow frivolous spending to register a trademark and then just not use it.
Takshash Aug 6th 2011 2:30PM
I'm with Fox on this. Not to mention we already have another type of Bear-Man already in game, Furbolgs.
SAT style Tinfoil Hat theorizing (and I'd love to hear Stickney/Sacco's take on this)
Troll : Night Elf as Furbolg : ...Pandaran?
Anne Stickney Aug 6th 2011 5:05PM
Tinfoil Hat theorizing (and I'd love to hear Stickney/Sacco's take on this)
Come back tomorrow for mine :D
thawedtheorc Aug 6th 2011 2:30PM
I am hoping we get to find out what is to the west of Kalimdor and East of EK. Just not getting the whole negativity towards it at all.
But there is no telling.. with Blizzcon around the corner, they could be faking us out again with the Pandarians.
jfofla Aug 6th 2011 2:32PM
For the life of me I cannot understand the Panda hate!
Talking raccoons we accept without a blink, but an April Fools joke soils Pandas forever?
It boggles the mind.
John Patrick Aug 6th 2011 4:02PM
I agree with jfofla's opinion.
Knee-jerk hatred for a race that wil probably be NPC-only. Really? Really???
Besides, the dwarves can't be the only professional alcoholics in WoW. I'd love to see the Pandaren get their drink on. I am definitely pro-alcoholic panda! Combined with the chinese fighting style of "drunken boxing", and you practically have a new HERO class right there. :-)
(Personally, I prefer to buy Thunderbrew for my gnome, 'cause he's a cheap drunk...)
Drakkenfyre Aug 7th 2011 12:01PM
It's not so much the pandas, it's the fact that Panderans have been a running gag for years. They started back in WarCraft 3. Samwise Didier loves pandas. His nickname is Panda. Illidan's Warglaives even had panda faces on the hilts in that game. He created the Panderans, and they were used as a joke. They stuck a neutral unit in WarCraft 3 that was a Panderan. They used them a couple times for April Fool's jokes (including one making fun of EverQuest's in-game pizza ordering ability.) A reference to them was included as a Horde quest. And of course, the mini-pet (which was only released because people kept demanding Panderans in-game.)
People kept asking when Panderans would be playable. Blizzard said 1. They were a joke, and 2. They weren't likely to take either side, because their culture is neutral.
So suddenly this pops up, as an entire expansion based on them, and that doesn't make some people happy.
Imagine, in some lesser way, Blizzard did an entire expansion based on Leeroy Jenkins. Wouldn't that make you go "WTF?"
Marsten Aug 6th 2011 2:35PM
I don't 'get' a lot of the criticism of Pandaren.
They're a joke race? So are gnomes and goblins.
They don't have any lore? Neither did the Dranai...
They'd be weirdly sexualised? Eww - most of us don't play WoW for masturbation fantasies.
Let's look at the plus sides. Namely, that if it is an expansion, it seems to indicate a new zone that we could explore - something really cool and oriental in influence. With bamboo huts and samurai all over the place. Even if the Pandaren aren't a playable race, I still think just the setting and atmosphere that they'd bring would be really cool.
Arrohon Aug 6th 2011 2:56PM
"They'd be weirdly sexualised? Eww - most of us don't play WoW for masturbation fantasies."
You don't seem to have grasped the meaning of the word. Sex can be a adjective or verb (gender or the act of reproducing). It was being used as a gender. He's saying that he's scared female pandaren would have bad models like the female worgen do.
Darkfreak Aug 6th 2011 3:51PM
Dranaei (spelling) had pre established lore