Next WoW Expansion? The Dark Below

[Bolty]

Blizzard trademarked the name "The Dark Below" today, right around the same time of year they've trademarked the last three expansions prior to the Blizzcon reveals.

The name indicates a WoW expansion based upon the Naga, Azshara, and/or the Old Gods. There are a number of in-game clues supporting this, such as Ozumat, the five-man boss from Cataclysm, with the title <Fiend from the Dark Below>. Also, a quote from Ra-den, the Algalon-style "bonus" boss of the latest Throne of Thunder raid, upon defeating him: "But there is a yawning chasm of darkness beneath you, mortals. Vast, endless, and all-consuming. I do not believe that you can correct this doomed course."

Looks like the Abyssal Maw raid, the one "cancelled" in Cataclysm, may yet enter the game...

There's an off-chance this name could be used for Diablo III, but it seems unlikely.

[Maitre]

There's an off-chance this name could be used for Diablo III, but it seems unlikely.

Seems just ambiguous enough that it could be Diablo related, however, I think any "below" in the Diablo universe is more likely described as "burning," "hells," "pit(s)," "demon(-ic)," or "Baal's."

The only thing I'm sure of is that there will be no tie-in with the Warhammer universe(s) - the "grim" is missing from Blizzard's "dark."

[Tal]

Have to wonder what the next expansion will bring - level to 95? 100? A new continent, race or class?

I also have to wonder how they're going to handle the number squish. As it is, my tank is getting close to astronomical numbers in health even without gearing/gemming for stamina. TD's tank is close to a million health right now. How in the world are they going to handle that next expansion?

[Bolty]

Speculation abounds regarding the xpack, but MMO-Champion is reporting that the name "The Dark Below" is not an actual trademark application and is instead a hoax, given that anyone can essentially apply for a trademark through the .gov website under any name unofficially. The word of this started on scribd and MMO-Champion picked it up from there. Hoax, reality, guess we'll find out at Blizzcon.