Activision Loses Trademark Relating to Tenchu Franchise

Activision has lost their hold over the Tenchu franchise after failing to renew the trademark for the long-running ninja-themed series.

[DarkOcelet]

YES! Hopefully Crash is next.

[Abriael]

They have until 2021 for that one >_>

[DarkOcelet]

Sony should take him back from his shackles.

[Cra2yey3]

2021? Jesus Christ....

[OpieWinston]

It'd just be a trademark not losing the IP.

[SilentNegotiator]

What he said.

DarkOcelot is thinking of the property going public domain. Activision would have to leave the franchise dormant for a loooooooooooong time for that to happen, "thanks" to the Disney lobbyists on capital hill.

[DemonChicken]

Poison rice!? Yes please!

From Software developed and published a few Tenchu games. Initially developed by acquire I believe.

Imagine they spearheaded the development and included some formula from Demon Souls, dark souls and bloodborne in a potential Tenchu game.

Crap my excitement levels through the roof

[DarkOcelet]

Miyazaki making a Tenchu game. That would be awesome.

[pompombrum]

Combining the stealth and mobility of Tenchu with the difficulty of Demon/Dark souls? That would be just too awesome.

[starchild]

Ah that would be amazing. I just hope we see another Tenchu game. It's one of my favorite series of all time.

[starchild]

@ WTFSTFUGDIAF

I know. I can't believe nobody has done anything with this concept. It's a perfect setup for a game that many gamers would go crazy for. I hope to see Tenchu, or a Tenchu-like game, show up this generation.

[3-4-5]

Tenchu always seemed like a great concept...a great idea that was never executed properly.

[DarkOcelet]

Tenchu on PS1 was excellent for its time. It was underrated. I played Tenchu on the X360 last gen but it was really bad. Hopefully someone else handle this IP with more care.

[Iceman_Nightmare]

Imagine if Activision sells it to Microsoft instead of Sony, worse Nightmare ever!

[SaveFerris]

I'd love to see another Tenchu game for current-gen consoles.

[camel_toad]

You aint kidding. Even the worst Tenchu game was still fun. I also miss the level creator from whichever one(s) it was.

I really hope we see a new one.

[yewles1]

Maybe if they would've made a PS3 Tenchu last gen, the franchise might've lasted longer...

[HeartlessGamer]

Agreed

[Agent_hitman]

Man, Tenchu was one of my favorite IPs on PS1 back in the day. Best stealth action themed game for me. Sony should approach the devs behind it and fund for the next installment.

[camel_toad]

Oh that'd be nice if Sony funded them. The games were always great but there was always something "low-budgety" about them.

[starchild]

That would be incredible. Sony is a great publisher and I would love to see the Tenchu series in their hands.

I played the first two Tenchu games on the PS1 more than any other games in those years. I also played the hell out of Tenchu Wrath of Heaven and Tenchu Fatal Shadows on PS2. Actually, I even enjoyed Tenchu Z on the 360 quite a lot. Yeah, I'm a pretty huge fan of the franchise you could say.

I would become a huge fan of any publisher/developer that revived this franchise.

[Gamer777]

Losing a trademark doesn't mean loss of an IP. Dualshockers should stop writing these loss of trademark doom articles.

[Summons75]

EXCELLENT! Now if we can get an HD Tenchu Collection or a brand new game...Platinum or From would be really good to much a game and respect the franchise.

[Bathyj]

Oh that's great news. So who gets it? Does that mean it's up fire Gabba to whoever shows they are working on it?

Didn't Sony music publisher the 1st one?

I've been saying for years they show acquire (no pun intended) this game and give it the AAA spit shine it's never had but always deserved.

[TheCommentator]

I liked killing guys from the rafters when they walked past. More please!

[WelkinCole]

This game and Busido blade I still remember fondly from the PS1 era for Ninja games.

PS2 iteration though sucked.

[Tapani]

Holy crap! Now we can finally get a good ninja game. Imagine, if it had the same system as Souls' games!!!

Just like the first Ninja Gaiden had a system almost like that.

[Master-H]

At this point, I'd buy any Tenchu game they release on vita/ps3-4 period. Even if it was a remaster of Tenchu Z (which is the lowest rated entry in the series, I believe.)

I thought Fromsoft bought the rights to it though. What's Activision got to do with it?

[Paul85]

I need a new tenchu game in my life!

[WizzroSupreme]

It's about time that series do something for a change.

[TheLordOfStuff]

They may have let the trademark expire but they still own the IP, I would love a tenchu on modern consoles but it just isn't going to happen, it's a dead IP, just the same as onimusha and many others that came before and after It, such a shame.

[DoggyBiscuit]

The last I played Tenchu was when I had a PSone

[GokuSolosAll]

Poor Tenchu. Ain't been good since PS1, and even then only to make stages with friends. I want the old ones rereleased with online for PSN.

[Relientk77]

Must have more Tenchu

[bunfighterii]

I'm not sure this story is correct...

The mark they are referring to is for 'Stealth Assassins', but From Software own the 'Tenchu' trade mark, Activision never did: http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/b...

[MisfitsInc]

THANK YOU!

[JasonKCK]

"Activision Loses" That simply just made my day.