Category: Video Games

New Trion Worlds game? CEO Scott Hartsman registers “Trove” game domains [UPDATED]

Post author By J.B.
Post date November 10, 2013

Could something new be in the works at Trion Worlds, maker of internet game Rift?

Several domain registrations in the past week seem to point to the possibility.

Trion Worlds’ CEO Scott Hartsman and brand protection agency MarkMonitor registered a slew of names related to an unannounced project called “Trove”.

MarkMonitor, which is also the registrar for TrionWorlds.com, privately registered names for the phrase “Play Trove” in a number of different extensions like PlayTrove.com and PlayTrove.net. Each of the names reside on Trion’s name servers at TRIONWORLDS.com. While Scott Hartsman scooped up names for “Trove Game” such as TroveGame.com and TroveGame.net.

Trion Worlds Inc. even shows up on the WHOIS record of some “Trove” domains.

None of the domain names currently resolve to a website. But based on the sheer number and timing, one would expect an announcement to come soon.

Here’s a look at some of the domains that were registered:

The last time I wrote about Trion, the company had unveiled Defiance after paying $90,000 USD for the matching domain Defiance.com.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 1 November 15, 2013:. Trion Worlds has announced Trove. You can watch the video below.

Talking about this story: VG247, Play3-Live, Buffed.de, GameStar and Joystiq

Tags MarkMonitor, Scott Hartsman, Trion Worlds, Trove

Featured News Video Games

Disney registers DisneyConsole.com domain name through brand protection agency

Post author By J.B.
Post date November 9, 2013

It may be something. Or it may be nothing. What is for sure is that Disney Enterprises, Inc. has registered the domain DisneyConsole.com (WHOIS).

The domain was registered this week through Corporation Service Company (CSC), a company that helps businesses protect their brands.

In January 2013, the internet was abuzz with rumors about Disney possibly working with Apple on a video game console after the tech blog Patently Apple uncovered a patent application.

The company released its sandbox video game Infinity in August 2013. This week, Disney Interactive announced that Disney Infinity has already sold 1,000,000 of its $75 starter packs.

DisneyConsole.com may be nothing more than a defensive registration tied to Disney Infinity, either way, it’s just speculation for now.

As of today, DisneyConsole.com redirects users to Go.com, the landing page for Disney content (operated by the Walt Disney Internet Group).

Talking about this story: Patently Apple, GameZone, Spieletester.com Magazin, gameswelt.de, play3.de, playm.de, Gaming Everything, SegmentNext News and NeoGAF

Tags apple, CSC, Disney, Disney Console

Featured News Video Games

Sony spends a few thousand dollars for TaketheOath.com as PS4 launch date nears [UPDATED]

Post author By J.B.
Post date November 3, 2013

In a little less than 2 weeks on November 15, Sony will launch the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in North America.

Despite everything that’s going on at the company, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC for some reason acquired the domain name TakeTheOath.com.

According to WHOIS records, the name switched hands this week from its previous owner to Sony.

It’s anyone’s guess what “Take the Oath” will be. At the time of this story, there is no website present at taketheoath.com.

In early October, TakeTheOath.com had been listed for sale for $2,988 through Rare Names (aka BuyDomains).

“Take the Oath” could be for anything like marketing of an upcoming Sony video game, but for now, it’s all just speculation.

On a separate but related note, Sony has been adding more names to its portfolio lately, but one name still noticeably missing is PlayStation4.com. In July 2013, Microsoft became the first company to secure the matching dotcom domain of its next-generation video game console.

Currently, Playstation4.com re-directs visitors to a video game website that covers PlayStation news. The name is still not owned by Sony according to WHOIS records.

UPDATE 1:. The Take The Oath website is now live at http://playstation.taketheoath.com/. The website is being used to market Killzone Shadow Fall. A message on the website says, “What will you sacrifice for peace? On 11/15/13 find out for yourself. Take the Shadow Marshal oath and, using the PS4™ share button, create your very own custom gameplay trailer. Like Killzone Shadow Fall on Facebook to be notified when you can Take the Oath.” You can watch the trailer below.

Talking about this story: PlayStation LifeStyle and GameSpot

(Image via playstation.com)

Tags Playstation 4, Sony, Take The Oath

Featured News Video Games

Take-Two registers ‘NBA 2K14 Greatest Shots’ domain near the time of media event [UPDATED]

Post author By J.B.
Post date October 26, 2013

There was a media event for the next-generation version of NBA 2K14 earlier this week and the buzz continues to grow for the video game.

Interestingly enough, around the same time of the event, Take-Two Interactive Software, the parent company of 2K Sports, registered the name NBA2K14GreatestShots.com (WHOIS).

The domain was registered through the brand protection agency MarkMonitor, and in the past 24 hours the domain moved from MarkMonitor’s domain servers to Take-Two’s domain servers.

Will “Greatest Shots” be a mode that allows you to relive some of the most memorable shots in NBA history?

As of the time of this writing, a parked web page appears, but the move to Take-Two’s servers hints something more may be in store for “NBA 2K14 Greatest Shots”.

Here’s a look at a screenshot of the WHOIS record for the name:

While there’s been a lot of press coverage on NBA 2K14 for the next-generation consoles, there’s been no talk yet of “Greatest Shots”.

UPDATE 1: The official website has been launched at nba2k14greatestshots.com. The Facebook contest has you record your best shot and then submit it online for a chance at winning prizes.

Talking about this story: Kotaku and Operation Sports

(Image of Lebron via 2KSports.com)

Tags 2K Sports, MarkMonitor, NBA 2K14, Take-Two

Disputes Featured News Video Games WIPO

Manhunt 3? Take-Two goes after domain name of fake snuff website it used to own [UPDATED]

Post author By J.B.
Post date September 22, 2013

Much of the buzz surrounding Take-Two has been over the recent release of Grand Theft Auto V. What you may not know, though, is that Take-Two just filed a dispute over the domain name valiant-ent.tv (WHOIS), which used to be a fake snuff website used to promote the psychological horror video game Manhunt. The domain name and website were owned and operated by Rockstar Games for years, until the company let the name expire in 2011 and its new owner launched a petition site aimed at having Manhunt 3 developed.

Why go after the name after more than 2 years since it changed owners? Is Manhunt 3 in the works?

There have been rumors of Take-Two introducing a Manhunt 3 before, but the rumors were quickly eliminated.

Take-Two filed the dispute (WIPO Case Number: DTV2013-0006) over valiant-ent.tv this week with the World Intellectual Property Organization. The case follows a number of successful filings against owners of other Take-Two related domains like GTAV.com and GTA5BetaCode.com.

Today, the identity of valiant-ent.tv’s owner is private according to WHOIS records, but the petition site is online.

A message on the site reads, “I strongly believe that there is still a desire to make a new Manhunt game within at least one of Rockstar Game’s many studios, I think it’s just a matter of showing Take-Two Interactive (Rockstar’s parent company) that there is still a high demand.” Despite the current owner’s efforts, only 4 signatures have been received, as you can see in the screenshot below.

The fake snuff website (SCREENSHOT) once owned and operated by Take-Two may or may not be coming back. Even if Take-Two wins the dispute and takes control of the domain, it’s only speculation that the video game company might one day release a Manhunt 3.

On a sidenote, if Take-Two decides to release a Manhunt sequel, they do own Manhunt3.com and Manhunt4.com.

UPDATE 2: Take-Two’s complaint over the domain name Valiant-Ent.tv has been denied by a sole panelist. Details of the ruling can be found here.

UPDATE 1:. Be advised, the Valiant-Ent website has devolved into graphic content since this story first broke earlier today. Do not visit the website unless you are prepared for adult content.

Talking about this story: Kotaku and Bloody Disgusting

Tags Manhunt, Manhunt 2, Manhunt 3, Take-Two