There’s a small chance Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds will get a name change before it hits PS4 next month. We wouldn’t say it’s likely, but a suspension of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s trademark, announced earlier this week, doesn’t leave the publisher many options without delaying the expansion’s early November release date.
Sony announced the first (maybe only) Horizon Zero Dawn expansion back in March, a few weeks after the game’s PS4 debut. It took the company another three months before it submit a trademark application for the project on June 12. However, another developer that goes by Huuuge Global Limited was a bit timelier on the paperwork and submitted a trademark application on May 28 for a similarly named iOS and Android slot machine app, titled Frozen Wild. HGL’s trademark has forced the US Patent and Trademark Office to suspend Sony’s trademark request, pending further review.
There are a few ways the situation could play out from here. It’s possible the office will decide there isn’t sufficient reason to believe the similar names will lead to actual consumer confusion. The games don’t share much in common, from genre to platform, but we’re far from experts in trademark law. If there’s no confusion, both games keep their name and nothing changes for consumers. If the USPTO awards the trademark to Huuuge Global Limited, the company could force Sony to change The Frozen Wild’s title. A name change could cause a short delay, but the most likely outcome could have Sony pay HGL an undisclosed sum of money to change the name of Frozen Wild, vacating its old trademark in the process and clearing the way for Sony to get legal protection for its IP.
For an early look at the first (and only) Horizon Zero Dawn expansion, take a few minutes to watch the Frozen Wilds trailer that debuted at E3. Then head down to the comments and let us know what you’re hoping to see/do when the HZD DLC debuts next month.
Horizon Zero Dawn is currently available on PS4. The game’s first expansion, The Frozen Wilds , debuts Nov. 7. Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition hits stores Dec. 5.
Be sure to check back with Player.One and follow Scott on Twitter for more Horizon Zero Dawn news in 2017 and however long Guerrilla Games supports Horizon Zero Dawn in the months ahead.
