Highlights
- THQ Nordic has filed a trademark for "Mad Dogs of Motorcity," potentially indicating a new online multiplayer game in development.
- The trademark filing suggests that the game will feature online multiplayer and could be a live service game.
- While there have been no official announcements, interested fans should keep an eye out for future updates and trademark filings to learn more about Mad Dogs of Motorcity.
A recent filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals THQ Nordic's pending trademark on the title Mad Dogs of Motorcity. Having announced an upcoming new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, THQ Nordic may also have another big title in development.
First founded in 2011, THQ Nordic is a video game publisher based out of Vienna, Austria and is the primary publishing branch for Embracer Group. The studio has released a number of popular titles including the Darksiders series, the Destroy All Humans remakes, and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, which bodes well for the potential new IP.
Filed with the USPTO on September 18, THQ Nordic's trademark application for Mad Dogs of Motorcity is very likely to be for a new online multiplayer game. The application, which was formally processed and marked "pending" as of September 21, notes THQ Nordic GmbH as the trademark owner and details the trademark classifications.
According to the trademark filing, Mad Dogs of Motorcity is registered to include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Interactive computer game services' internet games (non-downloadable)
- Providing on-line interactive computer games
- Multimedia entertainment software publishing services
- Electronic games services, including provision of computer games on-line or by means of a global computer network
- Providing interactive multi-player computer games via the internet and electronic communication networks
- Computer game software for use with on-line interactive games
Based on these classifications, it would seem that Mad Dogs of Motorcity will feature online multiplayer and could potentially be a live service game.
The specifics of the filing repeatedly note online services, multiplayer, and a global communication network. This could be alluding to online game servers for peer-to-peer or client-server functionality, or perhaps the classifications apply to an MMORPG-style game. While THQ Nordic has made no official announcements regarding Mad Dogs of Motorcity, the trademark filing does give a hint as to where the game may currently be at in development. Most trademark filings with the USPTO take around one year to be fully processed and approved, which means Mad Dogs of Motorcity is likely far from a release window.
As more studios announce their games well in advance of release, interested fans may want to keep an eye out for future publishing updates from THQ Nordic. Online multiplayer games are among the most popular with gamers, and are also highly profitable for studios, so those curious about the new title will want to be on the lookout for future trademark filings and updates on Mad Dogs of Motorcity.