@Daedalus
"Fomenting rabid hate about something they don't intend to do, enraging Pandaren fans who feel like they were lead on, the press making sure every future leak or whisper is qualified with 'but of course, Blizzard has been known to lie about this stuff,' the real announcement getting overshadowed by reporting on the fan reaction to being fooled; the list goes on."

I respect your input on this. You've kept it intelligent and thoughtful. I just disagree with you on this concept. I don't think its (that) risky because, although we (really, all of us in the player base, as well as the editors of the various major fansites) are treating it as one, this ISN'T an announcement. Of anything. Blizzard could perfectly plausibly and with 100% (okay, 87%) sincerity point out 100% accurately that they didn't announce, hint or infer ANYTHING. They filed a trademark application. What that means, could mean, should mean or has meant in the past is irrelevant; they didn't *say* it meant anything. If we get angry, they can rightfully disclaim any responsibility. "Panderans? Who said Panderans? We never said Panderans. We never even said Panderia. We just reserved it because .. we [insert plausible explanation here: "heard someone was writing a book / video game / documentary" "were kicking around the idea for a kid's console game" etc]. Of course we'll suspect it's bunk. Some people will INSIST it's bunk. But it will get no traction. No more traction than any other conspiracy theory about Blizzard (see, i.e., "favors the Horde" "caters to casuals" "caves to qq" ad nausium).

The fansites would *never* use a caveat about "Blizzard has been known to lie about this stuff" because... they wouldn't have lied. What they *would* have to say is "But we've been known to misinterpret this stuff / been wrong about speculating based on this kind of information in the past" which may... emphasis on may ... be exactly what Blizzard wants them to have to say. Just my $.02.