Blizzard registers a new domain: Project Blackstone

Written by: Olivia Grace (@oliviadgrace) | November 30, 2012 8:41 am

38 Comments

Blizzard has recently registered the domain projectblackstone.com. The registration was spotted by Fusible, who also reported on their action against the owner of HeroesofWarcraft.com.

So the question is, of course, what is it? A while back Blizzard registered a trademark called Mists of Pandaria, asserting at the time that it was nothing to do with WoW, but here we are. Could it be the next WoW expansion? Or could it be the first clue into something relating to the mysterious Titan project? Or even something to do with Blizzard All-Stars? It doesn’t sound like an expansion to me, too clinical, but Titan seems viable.

Or it could relate to Starcraft, Diablo, or something else altogether! What do you think? Get your tinfoil hats on and let’s get speculating!

With our tinfoil hats scanning for activity, GAMEBREAKER happened upon this 2011 tweet from a Blizzard employee via the grapevine:

Whatever I’m working on right now, it must be awesome! Here’s a hint — img.ly/auoX

— Randy Jordan (@Randydeluxe) November 15, 2011

Check out the image…

Blizzard registers a new domain: Project Blackstone

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http://twitter.com/b92bomber Paul Bombardier

Sounds like something dealing with “Titan” to me. I’m not sure why, it’s just a gut feeling.
http://www.facebook.com/MelanieDawnMcGreevey Melanie Dawn McGreevey

prolly the new official name for titan is my guess
http://www.facebook.com/people/Andrew-Gibson/654636349 Andrew Gibson

D3 expansion
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1796716957 Brian Kisely

When are they going to come out with the Emerald Dream? Isn’t that part of the lore important too? I think it should have come out before Cata. to be honest.
- http://twitter.com/dularr Dularr
  
  I’m thinking the Emerald Dream is just going to be covered by the books.
http://twitter.com/FranRacciatti Fran Racciatti

It’s clearly a reference to the “Black Soulstone” (Blackstone) so It’s probably a D3 Expansion.
http://www.youtube.com/user/cpjontek cpjontek

Duh… it’s obvious what it is. Look at the tweet from Randy Jordan above. The pic shows the game “Blackthorne”. I don’t want to spoiler anyone that wants to play this game but the plot revolves around a light and dark stone. Google it if you want to know more.
- http://twitter.com/oliviadgrace Olivia Grace
  
  A tweet from 2011, while I found it interesting enough to include, isn’t exactly conclusive!
  - http://www.youtube.com/user/cpjontek cpjontek
    
    It’s true it isn’t completely conclusive but if you have played through to the end of that game there is a cinematic after the credits roll that clearly points to a part 2.
- http://twitter.com/Roseland1985 Christopher
  
  the tweet he sent was put out before Blizzard’s new “legacy” section on their website, which has a timeline of their previous hit games, Blackthorne being one of them. It’s possible that that tweet was in reference to the addition of this feature.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=586121699 Daniel Andreas Finsrud

titan = diablo mmo?
- Theyrealone
  
  If i am not mistaken blizzard has said that Titan is a new ip
http://twitter.com/Dope_Danny Danny Smith

I fully expect a tin foil consiparcy theory that its a diablo 3 mmo with all the d3 gore and violence to pull in the “pandas are kiddy so i quit wow” crowd.

My moneys on the d3 expansion the product slate listed for late next year myself.
http://twitter.com/Hengman14 Chettra Heng

Judging from Blizzard’s past decisions, it will be a project that will yield the most money. What do you think will make more money, an expansion to the biggest PC gaming flop of 2012? Or the new “Titan” MMO that appears to have ‘Blackstone’ in it. My bet is on the new Titan MMO, as I’d never go back to D3 gear/gold grind.
- http://www.facebook.com/ksijbers Kevin Sijbers
  
  Even though the launch and first month of diablo were nothing but trouble, it still sold extremely well. So by all means its not the flop you make it out to be
- http://twitter.com/dularr Dularr
  
  You can’t really call it the biggest PC gaming flop of 2012, but seems totally fair to call the gameplay a massive disappointment.
- http://profile.yahoo.com/EHB4JP6TVURBGDBZBNDZSJ7PZQ Glacius
  
  ”…an expansion to the biggest PC gaming flop of 2012?”
  
  You do realize that saying things like that only makes you sound ridiculous? Of course, so does implying that there is any significant likelihood of there not being an expansion to Diablo III, whether Project Blackstone has anything to do with it or not.
http://twitter.com/Tatlreach Michael Salata

Blizz made a D3 expansion announcement on ~Nov. 10th. The Blackstone is obviously the stone that D3 centered around. It “mysteriously” fell away from Diablos body as he fell to the Earth (from the sky).
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=588203945 Brandon Elliot

I see warcraft in that image…. Must be warcraft 4. No other explanation! lawl
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=756234526 Michael Wilson
  
  oh if only
  - Matt Coffin
    
    Not with HOTS on the way.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613400106 Francois Brisson

Probably either the D3 expansion or something to do with Titan. Also to the people that think herpderp Titan = D3MMO, they’ve said titan is a new IP/ franchise nothing to do with the three they have right now.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1076994065 Kerry LeMay

Thinking Blackstone is from the Diablo series.. could it be?
Craig Sheahan

It’s a mindf***, they’re just doing it to troll us.
http://twitter.com/BlkDragonPrince ReapersBane

I m gonna go with something for D3 as the black soulstone is widely used for the storyline.
http://www.facebook.com/christopher.j.weimer.9 Christopher James Weimer

Blackthorne look it up i think its a remake not D3
http://twitter.com/Akame79 Bostjan

“Project Blakstone”
Althow ppl screm wow or d3 it aint. Blizz didnt register only the word blakstone , wich can be part of the universe of both ip, but “project blakstone”.
The clue is “project” a new , fresh word that doesnt belong in both of the named worlds. Rather it inspire some sort of tech or contemporary world. Now lets add that they have hired steampunk artists, its a match made in haven or rather hell (cozz of the team of the game ;D) for both BlackThorne & the so caled “Titan”. Then again “Titan project blackstone” doesnt sound so fancy doesnt it. Its an mmo it shouldnt have such a direct IP wich at the same time somewhat restrict the theme of the game to only one direction. But if we go “BlackThorne project blackstone” … it sems fiting, dark, demonic, modern.
In conclusion i would say ppl can w8 & drool over Blackthorne- project blakstone & hopefuly we wont see another blizz IP descend into purgatory like D3.
Blizz make it beter or dont make it at all, dont shater gamers dreams who grew up with this stuff.
7BitBrian

I don’t think it has anything to do with a game at all, or not a single game. I think it’s going to be something meta.
Kagitaar

I was leaning towards it being for D3, but something to do with Blackthorne does make a lot more sense.
Krzysztof Kotarba

interesting… I would like to see some info about mmofps blizz is doing.

BTW great lightning, everything looks much much better
Ravenstorm

The 1994 Blackthorne was so good, rly hope Blizz makes this one, with 2nd gen tech and originality. Hope they’ll go for it. Eff dem shareholders. No fear Blizz!
http://www.facebook.com/nik666 Nikolai Tzolev

Blackthorne :D
http://twitter.com/SilverTaurusPL SilverTaurus

“Blackstone” could go for anything…
“PROJECT Blackstone”.. unless its name for Blizzard DoTA, it doesnt realy fits any “known” Blizzard universes.
So my bets go to Blizz DoTA and Titan.
As for Blackthorn.. those names are to close to eachother to go into same universe =/
http://twitter.com/rutherford_lily Lily

I reckon it’s the new expansion for D3, or something totally different altogether, maybe they are planning a new version of the game in the photo. The Project bit seems to say its not an expansion though lol.
Composure

Olivia! Great job on your solo news video!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Miguel-Crespo/501398647 Miguel Crespo

its a book
Theyrealone

I frighteningly suspect it will be something connected to “Lost Viking” series.
http://www.facebook.com/neal.reagan Neal Reagan

lmao blizzard should register like 2000 names at a time, and be like “ha, trolls! figure it out now!” Then only pick one of them and let the rest go. Then all dem net trolls’ll be like”oh we knew that the whole time!” or my personal favorite:”CALLED IT!”

Blizzard registers a new domain: Project Blackstone

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