It’s common for video game companies to renew trademarks for old classics, even though they show no intention of using them. As GameRant points out, Microsoft’s sudden urge to renew two dormant rare trademarks at the same time may be somewhat suspicious.
We’re talking Blast Corps and Viva Piñata, the former being a highly praised Nintendo 64 classic that sold poorly, and the latter possibly Rare’s biggest Xbox hits ahead of the release of Kinect Sports and Sea of Thieves. The last time these franchises were used was in 2015’s Rare Replay series, which included 30 Rare Classics, which under normal circumstances should mean Microsoft wouldn’t need to renew them.
While it’s certainly not a sign of something to come, at least for those who want more from these two classic rare collections, it’s hope. Think of Viva Piñata as a modern game, with co-op, online multiplayer, a real-time service world, and a ton of characters and cosmetics, and it’s really not hard to imagine.
Do you remember Blast Corps and Viva Piñata, do you want to look more from them?