Bandai Namco's New Trademark Filing Sparks Fan Speculation About Their Next Game

Bandai Namco is a familiar name for gamers who have experienced the iconic franchises under their umbrella, including FromSoftware’s Dark Souls and Elden Ring series, as well as the Dragon Ball Z and Tekken games, to name a few. Recently, the company filed a new trademark, sparking immediate speculation among fans about the potential new title it might represent. Let’s dive into the details below!

Bandai Namco Files New Trademark for Time Stranger, Sparking Speculation of a New Time Crisis Game

As seen on the European Union Intellectual Property Office's (EUIPO) official website, Bandai Namco recently filed a new trademark for the name "Time Stranger" on January 10, 2025. If this name sounds unfamiliar to you, you're not alone. However, many are speculating that it could be a hint towards the next game from the publisher.

Bandai Namco Entertainment filed a trademark for "Time Stranger" on January 10 in Europe: https://t.co/D6e3xhn66W pic.twitter.com/VM6RNp7mEQ

— Gematsu (@gematsu) January 15, 2025

This situation is reminiscent of Bandai Namco's 2022 trademark for Tales of Arise, which was followed by the release of Tales of Symphonia Remastered in 2023 and the upcoming Tales of Grace Remastered. Based on this pattern, some fans believe that the Time Stranger trademark could be linked to a new Time Crisis game.

For those who don’t know, Time Crisis was one of the most popular arcade light gun shooter games of the '90s, and many Reddit users have expressed their hope that this would be the most likely and successful direction for the trademark.

Of course, speculation doesn’t stop there. Some believe that it could point to a new IP from the developers of Code Vein or Scarlet Nexus, or perhaps even a Tales of Phantasia remake with "Time Stranger" in the title since time travel is a key theme in the game’s premise. As you read through the responses, it's clear that there are many theories about this trademark, but without more information, we’re all mostly left guessing.

While we might get more details in the future, it’s important to remember that trademarking is typically one of the first steps in development, so it could be some time before anything concrete surfaces about the Time Stranger IP. However, if and when new information emerges, we’ll be sure to update you, so be sure to check back for more updates soon.