Blizzard Trademarks "The Dark Below" - WoW or D3 Expansion?Blizzard just trademarked "The Dark Below" and it definitely looks like it has something to do with a new game or expansion!

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Computer game software; Computer game software downloadable from a global computer network; Downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices; Downloadable electronic games via the internet and wireless devices

It could be anything, but it could also be the next WoW expansion. With Gamescom coming up in a couple of days, we could also be looking at the name of the next Diablo 3 expansion.

In any case, it looks like it's time to jump on the speculation train until we can get our hands on more information.

Note that we have found out about all previous WoW expansion names ahead of time in this exact manner.

That said, my money is on a Diablo 3 expansion."The Dark Below" could mean one of two things: Either **** and all the associated fire and brimstone, in which case it seems more Diablo-esque, or it could also mean The deep abysses and caverns below the surface of land and ocean. Going in that vein, Ozumat from Cataclysm (the giant octopus from the Throne of the Tides) was styled as <Fiend of the Dark Below>.

Still, I think a ****-themed Diablo expansion seems more likely. If it is a WoW expansion, though, it looks like it's leaning towards an Old God theme.

The only pre-established enemy that seems to fit that moniker in WoW Lore are the Old Gods and the faceless ones, and since players already killed the most impressive/threatening of those, I'd have to say that's unlikely. Also worth noting that Deathwing was pretty much their last bid for freedom, and that failed. Other than that, Azjol'Nerub and the Earthwarder both fit the bill and, once again, both are irrelevant now.

Much more likely they'd go with Diablo with that title.

It's in their best interest to make the next WoW expansion super exciting. If it's not a Burning Legion expansion, I'd be shocked. Particularly since they seem to be set to tie up (at least to the extent it has ever been) the Horde/Alliance plot line.

They COULD do an Old God expac, sure. But iirc there are only two left. And neither really hold up to Yogg'Saron in terms of how terrifying they are.

Though it's worth noting it COULD be a Titan-themed expansion.

Still, though. They need people to be really invested in the next plot line. And if the Burning Legion doesn't make a strong reappearance soon, it's going to be forgotten to a degree they shouldn't be comfortable with. Particularly not with it being so erased from the core game.

Naga expansion, with either N'Zoth, the Old God theorized to be the one below the Rift beneath the Maelstrom, or Azshara as the final boss. If N'Zoth (an Old God that's been played up more than Yogg, mind you), then Azshara likely for the mid-tier. If Azshara as the final boss, likely N'Zoth as the mid-tier as seems to be traditional for Old Gods, with Azshara setting up for the Legion's return in the expansion after.

Another theory running around based on a tiny bit of lore in a WoW RPG book, which is very not canon, mind you, (

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The Dark Below is a place inhabited by demons, devils and infernal creatures, from where some sorcerers take their power directly and sometimes have a patron beast to foster their magic.

) is that the expansion will feature a separate faction of demons not aligned with the Burning Legion, and their home realm of the "Dark Below".

Diablo gets my vote, I'm not sure I could imagine a completely subterranean (under water?) WoW expansion. Underground WoW brings up more images of earthen realms, elementals, dwarfs, troggs, or even Deathwing and the like. I suppose it's a completely different direction, but I'm still hoping for a Buring Legion / Outland thingy.

Naga expansion, with either N'Zoth, the Old God theorized to be the one below the Rift beneath the Maelstrom, or Azshara as the final boss. If N'Zoth (an Old God that's been played up more than Yogg, mind you), then Azshara likely for the mid-tier. If Azshara as the final boss, likely N'Zoth as the mid-tier as seems to be traditional for Old Gods, with Azshara setting up for the Legion's return in the expansion after.

Another theory running around based on a tiny bit of lore in a WoW RPG book, which is very not canon, mind you, (

Quote:

The Dark Below is a place inhabited by demons, devils and infernal creatures, from where some sorcerers take their power directly and sometimes have a patron beast to foster their magic.

) is that the expansion will feature a separate faction of demons not aligned with the Burning Legion, and their home realm of the "Dark Below".

I think the second theory is horesh*t.

Well, Azshara was set up as being in love (or as close as she could be) with Sargeras, and possessing a power to rival Kil'Jaedan and Archimonde. Then we can infer that the Old Gods gave her some more power when they "blessed" her and her people, since they were hoping she would restore them.

I'm not convinced Azshara is loyal to them, to be honest. The naga pursuit of the Burning Legion is too close to Azshara's original intentions, during their initial invasion, for me to believe that the Old Gods are their masters. I think she could feasibly be above their influence. After all, it's conceivable to think she's far stronger than the Aspects were, given they were afraid of confronting Archimonde, five against one, without the Dragon Soul.

I think she's still seeking to wed Sargeras. And I think the Old Gods are FAR too weak for her to consider them anything other than tools.

What I could see happening is that you kill an Old God while trying to take her out, then you succeed in killing her... but not until she's already firmly opened a portal for the Legion to pour through. Enter following expansion.

Still, Blizz is going to have a VERY hard sell on this one. Cataclysm was super heavy on caves and water environments. I'm not sure they want to go back to that so soon.

I dont know much about the lore, but my first thought was also about Azshara and the naga.

I agree it would be difficult for Blizzard to pump up the hype for the underwater environments again, considering how Vash'ir was received (meh), although they do have a way of surprising folks with a variety of "tricks" at their disposal. I do think that the Queen & naga (heck, tidbit of murlocs wouldnt hurt either) would be a nice addition, but I dont see them solely carrying an expansion.

I'm not particulrly fond of the naga enemies or environments as it is, but if Blizz can push a more compelling storyline, as a new expansion -should-, I'm game to give it a go.

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