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Underworld 5 to be called Underworld: Battle? Sony Pictures registers domain

Underworld Battle

Though no official word is yet available on Underworld 5, it’s pretty certain the next film is in the works given the success of Underworld: Awakening which has been the highest-grossing film in the series so far.

While it’s purely speculation, it appears the next film could be called Underworld: Battle, according to a new domain name registration this week by Sony Pictures.

On April 24, 2012, Sony Pictures registered UnderworldBattle.com (Whois).

At the time of this post, Sony Pictures has not made an announcement about Underworld: Battle, but the domain does redirect visitors to the Sony Pictures home video page for Underworld: Awakening, which is set to be released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 8th.

While Underworld 5 would be no surprise, it looks more likely that UnderworldBattle.com is part of Sony Pictures’ online marketing campaign for the release of Underworld: Awakening on home video, and less likely the title of the fifth film in the series.

The name could also hint at a new video game, as well.

At this point, we’ll just have to wait and see if Sony Pictures announces anything official.

Talking about this story: /FILM and WhatCulture!

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News Trademarks Video Games

Activision files trademark for The Blast Furnace game, privately acquires domain

The Blast Furnace

Activision Publishing, Inc. filed a trademark application on April 18, 2012, for “The Blast Furnace” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The goods and services in the trademark filing (Serial Number: 85601232) cover “computer game software” and “Entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game”.

In addition to the trademark filing, it appears Activision has privately acquired the related domain name, theblastfurnace.com (Whois), through the internet brand protection company MarkMonitor.  Activision is a client of MarkMonitor.

In March 2012, the domain name <theblastfurnace.com> was registered to domain investor Frank Schilling’s Name Administration Inc.  In April, the name transferred to DNStination, Inc., the Whois privacy service provided by MarkMonitor.

I’ve reached out to Frank Schilling via e-mail to see if any details about the transaction can be shared and I will update this story if I hear back.

At the time of this writing, Activision has made no announcement regarding “The Blast Furnace”.

[Update 1 at 8:30pm EST:. After a little digging on DomainNameSales, the online marketplace that features premium domain names from Frank Schilling’s private collection and other investors, it appears the domain name sold for anywhere between $10,000 and $20,000 USD.  The sale was reported on April 19, 2012.]

Talking about this story:  VG247, @supererogatory, NowGamer, Lazygamer, Strategy Informer, games.on.net, HardGamers, Gamestrend, Hardgame2.com, gameswelt.de, GamePro, Multiplayer.it, Shacknews, MCV and allgamesbeta.com

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News Trademarks Video Games

Activision files trademark for Skylanders Sidekick: First look at new characters

Skylanders sidekicks

Skylanders sidekicks

Activision’s legal department has filed a trademark application for “Skylanders Sidekick”.

On April 18, 2012, Activision submitted the filing (Serial Number: 85601600) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The “Goods and Services” in the application cover, “Games and toys, namely, action figures, collectable toy figures, collectable toy figures having radio frequency identification (RFID) chips or tags, action figures having RFID chips or tags”.

No first use date is noted in the application.  But, there’s a good explanation for that.

While nothing has been officially announced about “Skylanders Sidekick”, I did find Frito-Lay sell sheets online that describe a program taking place in June that partners with Skylanders to deliver an exclusive offer.  The promotion allows consumers to redeem a free “Skylanders sidekick” character with purchase.

The screen shot above was taken from the presentation and shows the sidekicks and their names: Mega Stealth, Super Trigger, Big Grunt, and Mighty Fin.  However, according to the slide, the real names are to-be-determined.

Earlier this month, Activision and Frito-Lay announced a multi-phased promotion extending through May 5, 2012.

The promotion with the Sidekick characters appears to be part of Phase 2.  According to the sell sheets, the in-store timing is June 18th – July 13th 2012.

Below is another screen shot from the presentation for the lobby/perimeter kit.

Skylanders Sidekick lobby kit
Talking about this story: darkSpyro, VG247 and Nintendo World Report

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News Video Games

Years after release, Crytek acquires Crysis.com domain: price unknown

Crysis 3 video game

Crytek first released the first-person shooter video game Crysis back in November 2007 and recently revealed details about Crysis 3, which is set to be released in the spring of 2013.

Now, more than four years later after releasing the first game in the trilogy, Crytek has acquired the domain name Crysis.com, which had been registered years before the game’s launch.

According to Whois records, Crytek GmbH now owns the domain name.

The name transferred this week from its previous owner “Modern Empire Internet Ltd.” who had owned the name since at least 2004.

Crytek doesn’t own Crysis2.com or Crysis3.com.  The owner of the domain Crysis3.com is currently offering it up for sale, along with Crysis3.org.

I’ve reached out the previous owner of Crysis.com to learn more about the deal and will update this post if I hear back.

[UPDATED on April 23, 2012:. Crysis.com has started resolving to a web page.  Screen shot below.]

Crysis.comDiscussion: Bölüm Sonu Canavarı

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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