Microsoft has filed a new trademark. However, what is interesting about this filing is it doesn’t seem to be all that new at all.
As recorded in Justia, a non-government legal database, Microsoft has filed several trademarks for the name “Ender Dragon.” As of now, we don’t know what Ender Dragon is, but the filings themselves hint at something big.
The filing most websites found has the serial number 97821852. This one is for “Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; entertainment services, namely, providing temporary use of non-downloadable computer games.”
These do describe video games, but seem to specifically describe cloud gaming, as these games are online, temporary, and non-downloadable.
But don’t fret, because their filing with serial number 97821857 is for “Recorded computer game software; downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; downloadable computer game software for personal computers and home video game consoles”
These are definitely describing full retail video games, and likely cover both PC and console games.
But that isn’t everything. Curiously enough, Microsoft has filed other trademarks for “Ender Dragon” that aren’t related to video games at all.
Serial number 97821860 filing is for “Printed books featuring graphic illustrations, games and entertainment; printed fiction books on a variety of topics; printed periodicals featuring graphic illustrations, games and entertainment”
Serial number 97821853 filing is for “Toy figures; toy figure accessories; toy tools; toy weapons; mechanical action toys; electronic action toys; hand-held units for playing electronic games in the nature of software games; playsets for action figures; building games; construction toys”
Finally, serial number 97821863 filing is for “Footwear; Gloves; Headwear; Hosiery; Loungewear; Scarves; Sleepwear; Swimwear; Undergarments; Belts for clothing; Bottoms as clothing; Cosplay costumes; Tops as clothing”
It sounds like Ender Dragon will definitely be a video game franchise, but Microsoft has broader plans for it to be a multimedia entertainment project. Their filings cover both downloadable and full retail video games for Ender Dragon, as well as cloud gaming. They also want to have control over Ender Dragon books, toys, and fashion merchandise.
So at this point you are probably wondering, what’s an Ender Dragon? Well if that image above hadn’t clued you in yet, prepare for the shock of your life.
The Ender Dragon is essentially the final boss of Minecraft. She is classed as a hostile boss mob and spawns at the dimension called The End. She blocks players from access to Minecraft’s end credits, as well as the exit back to the main game.
Microsoft seems to have new plans to expand Minecraft as a franchise even broader than ever before. With all of these in the works, it wouldn’t be surprising if Microsoft also has a Minecraft movie or cartoon series in the works, all based around the Ender Dragon.
