Fans of Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem have had a rough decade. While the franchise lays dormant from Nintendo, a spiritual successor titled Shadows of the Eternal was to be developed (by ex-Silicon Knights devs) for the Wii U. Unfortunately it didn't hit an adequate amount of funding via Kickstarter donations (twice), and has been muddled in development hell since.
If you're one of the many that yearn for another experience with Eternal Darkness, considering it one of the top-shelf games from the GameCube library, this recent trademark application (search for 87274495 at that link) will hopefully pique your interest for the series' future. We've seen this before, of course, but it's nice to see the trademark living on.
If this is the first time the words "Eternal Darkness" have graced your ears, the title is held up in high regard due to its creatively produced psychological experiments in gameplay. Sanity effects replicate your television screen turning off, environments beings turned upside down, or even the main character's head falling off while reciting Shakespeare's Hamlet. Eternal Darkness was a horror game which relied on a cleverly executed (and patented) gimmick, a gimmick that owns and deserves great respect.
While the filing is listed to have been resubmitted almost four days ago, NeoGAF user Rösti has explained that "The application entered the Trademark Reporting and Monitoring System (TRAM) yesterday on December 23, 2016."
Rösti goes on to explain one of the more intriguing factors brought up in the filing, as an excerpt explains that the filing is categorized as "1B (Application based on intent to use), goods and services related to game programs/software." This means that Nintendo could be implementing the title with the rumoured GameCube Virtual Console lineup. Rösti adds, "what can be said is that Nintendo seems very keen on not losing the trademark allowing for anyone to try and register some game under that name. They could be actually working on a title set in the Eternal Darkness universe; it could be an HD remaster, a Virtual Console release or an entirely new game." That's all logical speculation, certainly.
As for now this is still entirely speculative, and we'll hopefully hear more this January.
[source tsdr.uspto.gov]
Comments 53
What what WHAAAAAAT
Come out kicking and swinging with the Gamecube VC, Nintendo.
SURPRISE CHRISTMAS PRESENT, MO#@$%&@#%$RS
Omg!
...and Nintendo is going to do absolutely nothing with it.
They did this a few years back and it amounted to nothing. I've still got the original. I would love a sequel or a remake.
It's not the first time that the Eternal Darkness trademark has been extended and it doesn't necessarily mean that an Eternal Darkness game is in the works.
Eternal darkness was amazing. I really hope they roll out a double hitter of a new entry and vc release.
Failing that a HD remaster would go down great. I am yearning to play it again. The switch could be a great opportunity to broaden their horizon once again
Cool. Hope this is good news.
Ben Rage Files Trademark Application For Drool...
I can already see Nintendo wants like 1000$ from me in games alone next year.
What a game.... WHAT!!! A game!!! Would mean the world to play again on new hardware.
I wonder if Retro could be working on a sequel to this, given they were reported to be working on something not Metroid or DK
@Morph I never thought of them working on this! I would welcome that!
I do hope this indicates a GameCube VC for Switch, I never got a chance to play Eternal Darkness but I'd be willing to give it a go.
I'm fully expecting this to be on the Switch Virtual Console. Of course, I still own it for Gamecube and just played it the other day a lot, so I won't necessarily buy it ASAP when it hits VC. Still, for new fans, it will be wonderful to see this gem resurface and have a chance to shine once again.
Best way to describe ED - it's a tribute to the writings of HP Lovecraft and a very well done one, too. It isn't full of jump scares (though it slips in one or two, so watch out), rather the game relies on a psychologically captivating narrative, all the more unnerving as you progress through the mystery Alex is tasked to unravel. Her story quickly turns into a reliving of the horrific stories of individuals bound to the tome of Eternal Darkness, each driven nearer to the brink of insanity or in some cases to their untimely ends.
I played it a little, enough to make me want to play more, but I don't own a copy and I've been waiting for this day for a long time.
A VC title would be good enough. A sequel or a remaster? Goodness, my poor wallet!
If this were related to a new game Laura Kate would have already spoiled it and called it journalism, so we can rule that out. It's probably just routine copyright protection.
This game gripped me in a way very few games ever have. It's been years since I played it though,I'd love to play it again. If I was asked what game I would most like a sequel to this would definitely be in my top 5,possibly top 3. Imagine a VC release / Retro developed sequel double header.
@Morph Oh my days. Yes please! Imagine Retro working on a new Eternal Darkness game! Just imagine. Now try without jumping around salivating like a rabid dog. Happy Xmas everybody!!
@beazlen1 I'm currently foaming at the mouth at the prospect.
Companies renew trademarks all the time. People are grasping at straws here. Nintendo simply doesn't want the trademark to lapse. It's really that simple guys.
Trademark renewal ≠ Trademark usage.
I would kill for a sequel or remake
When a new game comes out I will care. Or maybe a hd remaster. Until then this is nothing but what they have been doing for years and you guys and other sites keep posting about.
I'd like to give this game another chance. I quit when I got in a situation where I just couldn't beat some enemies and didn't have an earlier save file so I was basically stuck. I think the whole surreal thing has been made better in some more recent games but of course this is a classic.
Bought this used at Hollywood Video/Game Crazy for 8 dollars used back when they existed. This game seriously makes you start to feel insane. It's very psychological. Don't look up the insanity meter effects, it'll ruin the effect it has on you!!! A must play for all horror fans!
I have it on GameCube but I will gladly buy it again for the switch!
Never played this game. Nintendo really needs to do some form of a sequel. It is time.....
Renewing an IP huh, how about actually making a game about it for once.
It's probably a remaster.
This would be awesome!! I would love to play Eternal Darkness!!
but I feel like I've been hearing this story for years now. Nintendo trademarks it just so they keep the license. And then nothing gets released. (T_T )
I absolutely love this game, and I loved how it messed with the player's sanity as well as the character. I'd love to see this on a Virtual Console for the Switch!
Probably just a VC release. But you never know, Sin and Punishment's VC release helped pave the way for a sequel....
Merry Christmakkah, indeed.
Would be great if it made VC on the Switch. I've lost my desire to give Nintendo premium money for VC, but I feel I should beat my Gamecube copy again.
I've never played this game as I'm too much of a wuss when it comes to horror games but something about this game intrigues me. If it releases on the Switch I'll probably get it.
@King_Johobo
It's really not that scary in my opinion. There were a couple of moments I jumped early on. But soon you'll get used to the psychological effects and they aren't really a big deal. I don't remember the game being that difficult, but it has been a while.
Not holding my breath at this. If it happens, I hope it's an HD remaster (available by retail or download) and not a virtual console re-release, only because I'd like to play it updated with graphics and effects. A true sequel needs to happen for this game, it was a great horror title and I loved the story and chemistry that was involved with it. It was a true gem for the Gamecube, and I'm glad I still own it (even though I haven't played it for a while).
As others have mentioned, I recall this happening before and nothing came of it... fingers crossed though, I never got to play it due to being 13 when it came out (and my parents didn't exactly let me play M rated games at that point)... I've heard mostly positive things and would definitely buy it on VC (or even an HD version) if given the chance.
My fondest memory of the game is the save file delete trick. I had the game for a few months before I ran into it and I seriously lost my crap thinking my saved file was being deleted. I would love for the game to get a HD remaster or a new entry for the Switch.
HD remake please! who am I kidding, it will come to VC :/
I would be simultaneously very disappointed and very intrigued if Retro was working on a horror game (that wasn't Metroid Prime).
Im hoping for a 3dized version on 3ds. Would be awesome
cool game. thank goodness i have it on disc. can't trust nintendo's virtual console these days.
It would definitely be nice to be able to play it for a better price than what the game typically goes for physically, assuming Gamecube games will in fact be going for around 15 or 20 bucks like the rumors suggest! Hopefully Chibi Robo gets a release on the VC because right now the price is far too high and I am eager to try it after enjoying Photo Finder!
Am I the only one hoping for retro studios to be making a sequel?
Apart from Metroid Prime i reckon this was the best game for the Cube.
But how about releasing a sequel instead? I still have all my retro games in the basement, so VC is of zero interest to me.
@whanvee no my friend definitely not!! As much a I'd love a new Prime, I really want N to give some of their older IPs some love and Eternal Datkness sequel would be a great place to start. Retro can certainly do atmosphere and fantastic environments, too key elements to a horror game.
Never got what's the big deal with this game. It was a fun game yo play but once you get used with the game mechanics it is not particularly scary, psychologically terrifying or difficult. Gamecube had better games in the "horror" genre like the Resident Evil 0,1.
Loved Eternal Darkness but fear this makes a new game less likely. Nintendo don't seem keen and the trademark stops others from making one.
I've never been into horror/survival games, but I owned and played this game like crazy back in the day. The levels in the church in France were the freakiest for me to play.
I like how the evil in this game is dwelling for thousands of years, hiding beneath a sealed gate in a tomb underground and how it's getting ready for "birth" in the present. I especially love how you play 10 different characters that got in contact with that evil in different ways in these thousands of years.
I hope a sequel can be just as epic (and atmospheric).
The design of the evil gods (Chatturgah, Xellotath, Ulyaoth and Mantorok) is amazing.
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