It’s not unusual for any big corporation to periodically renew its trademarks. This is especially true of Microsoft, which holds onto quite a few intellectual properties that they might want to make games out of in the future. One of those intellectual properties is Fable, a much-beloved RPG series that just might be getting a sequel on the Xbox Series X. Maybe.
But first, the trademark. Microsoft submitted an application to renew the Fable trademark on June 26, according to documents obtained by IGN.
This not only applied to games and print publications but also to “USB drives; cell-phone charging solutions; cellphone chargers; portable speakers; earbuds; headphones; [and] cables.” This isn’t particularly unusual as most big companies like to cover their bases for any potential merchandise if a game really takes off.
What is notable, however, is the “intent to use” tag is marked “yes,” while the “current use” tag is marked “no.” This means that Microsoft intends to actually use their trademark during this application’s term and not just sit on it like they’ve been doing for some time now.
Fable 4 has been rumored to be in development for years now with Playground Games. Job applications from 2018 noted that they were working on an open-world RPG, which is a category that definitely applies to Fable. Rumors had pointed toward a 2019 reveal at E3, but Xbox head Phil Spencer said that they didn’t show it because there wasn’t enough to show.
Microsoft has downplayed the recent discovery of a Fable Twitter account that hit the scene last March, saying that they regularly grab social media handles and not to get players’ hopes up. However, they also said that @fable had been “inactive for years” even though the account indicated it was only started in March of 2020.
We’ve got nothing official to go on, but later this month Microsoft is expected to showcase its first-party games that are heading to the Xbox Series X. We’ll find out then if Fable 4 is real or if we’re just going to have to keep waiting.
Source: IGN
