14 DAY TRIAL // Since the new Nintendo 3DS has been hurriedly announced during February, apparently for fear that the Japanese press was getting ready to preempt an official announcement and leak details about the device, its creators have suggested that the “3DS” moniker is just a place holder with the real name still in the works and set to be unveiled later during 2010. But it seems that the pun worthy name is growing on Nintendo, with the company registering at least two trademarks linked directly to it.
The Japanese company has registered, according to Siliconera, trademarks for both “3DSWare” and “3DSPlay.” The first name makes it pretty clear that Nintendo is interesting in creating a digital distribution service which will be similar to both the WiiWare for the home console and the DSiWare for the current line up of handhelds. It might be a conduit for current DS games to move to the 3DS.
The second name is a bit more puzzling. On one hand, it might be linked to a compilation of videogames that are specifically designed to show off the three dimensional capabilities of the new device and that will come bundled with the actual hardware when it is launch in late 2010 or early 2011. On the other hand, Nintendo might be trademarking the actual technology the company will incorporate in order to make 3D gaming on the platform possible without the use of any glasses.
These are not the only trademarks that Nintendo aims to control and use in the future. The hardware manufacturer and videogame developer has also registered: DS Sound, DS Name Card, DS Magazine, DSMovie, DSCamera, DSCinema, DSMessage, DSMusic and DSAlbum. The combinations do not suggest new titles or applications for the handheld line up and are most likely only designed to make sure that rival content creators do not use them to promote their own products.