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News Video Games

PopCap Games registers domain names for unannounced ‘Bejeweled Frenzy’

Bejeweled Frenzy

There hasn’t been any news of a new Bejeweled game being developed by the folks at PopCap Games, but that doesn’t mean one isn’t in the works.

On August 2, PopCap Games registered the domain names BejeweledFrenzy.com (Whois), BejeweledFrenzy.net (Whois) and even BejeweledFrenzy.org (Whois), hinting that the EA-owned PopCap Games may be planning to unveil something.

Titles in the Bejeweled series include Bejeweled, Bejeweled 2, Bejeweled Twist, Bejeweled Blitz and Bejeweled 3.

The company’s last release of a new title was Bejeweled 3 in 2010.

Bejeweled Frenzy certainly has a nice ring to it, but for now, the game will have to remain speculation until PopCap makes an announcement.

At the time of this story, none of the domains resolve to a web page.

Talking about this story: Game Informer

(Image of Bejeweled 3 via PopCap.com)

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News Video Games

EA registers FriendsFinals.com, LiveFriendsFinals.com domains

Electronic Arts offices

Electronic Arts purchased two brand new domain names this week: FriendsFinals.com and LiveFriendsFinals.com.

According to Whois history records, neither domain has ever been registered before.

The domains were registered on July 24 through the internet brand protection company CSC Global, which handles domains for many of the top companies.

It’s unknown what – if anything – EA has planned for the names.

At the time of this story, FriendsFinals.com (Whois) and LiveFriendsFinals.com (Whois) do not resolve to a website.

UPDATE: On July 25, Electronic Arts registered Live-Seasons.com (Whois).

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News Video Games

Electronic Arts registers ‘The Cap Lab’

Electronic Arts Redwood Shores

I have no idea what Electronic Arts is dreaming up, but this week the video-gaming company registered the domain name: TheCapLab.com.

On June 18, 2012, EA purchased the domain (Whois) through the internet brand protection company CSC Global.

No other traces of names being registered in other extensions can be found, and, at the time of this story, EA has not filed any trademarks for “The Cap Lab”.

It’s unknown what EA has planned.  The company has not made any official announcement and the domain name does not resolve to a web page.

According to Whois history, TheCapLab.com was first registered by a resident of Florida in 2007, but the name appears to have expired way back in 2009 and was never renewed.

Readers:  Care to guess what “The Cap Lab” will be?

Talking about this story: Gameranx

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News Video Games

Electronic Arts appears to have acquired DeadSpace.com domain [UPDATED]

Dead Space 3

Right now, the gaming world is abuzz with news that video game Dead Space 3 was leaked by retailer BT Games.

While it’s not officially confirmed, it appears Electronic Arts is getting to ramp up its online marketing efforts with the private acquisition of the domain name DeadSpace.com.

According to Whois records, the name transferred from its previous owner, domain investor Gregg Ostrick of GNO, Inc., to Corporation Service Company.  For those not familiar with CSC, they’re one of the large companies that helps protect many of the world’s best global brands in part by registering and managing thousands of domain names.

While the registrant is listed as Corporation Service Company, there’s little doubt that any other company but EA is behind the acquisition.

EA has used a handful of web addresses over the years like deadspace.ea.com and deadspacegame.com for the game’s official website.

The game publisher owns the trademark (Serial Number: 77462331) for “Dead Space” to make video games and other “goods and services” like printed publications and action figures.

I’ve reached out to Gregg Ostrick via e-mail to see if any details about the transaction can be shared like the price and buyer.  I will update this post if I hear back.

[Update 2 on April 20, 2012:. It is now confirmed that Electronic Arts was the buyer of DeadSpace.com.  The Whois record was updated again and Electronic Arts Inc. is listed as the registrant.]

[Update 1 on April 19, 2012:. Gregg wrote by email: “Sorry, I can’t provide any details.”]

Discussion: Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine

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News Trademarks Video Games

Electronic Arts files trademark applications for ‘Full Contact Bingo’

Full Contact Bingo

This may be one of the stranger trademark filings I’ve seen by Electronic Arts, but it should make for an interesting game.

On March 5, 2012, EA submitted two trademark applications (Serial Numbers 85560267 and 85560275) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for “Full Contact Bingo.”

Serial Number 85560267 covers, “Entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game; Provision of information relating to electronic computer games provided via the Internet.”

Serial Number 85560275 covers, “Computer game software; Downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; Video game software.”

As of today, Electronic Arts has made no announcement on releasing Full Contact Bingo.

Discussion: Game Informer, Kotaku, VG247, Hard OCP, Shacknews, HardGamers, AusGamers and Kotaku Australia