Bandai Namco Entertainment has quietly filed a new trademark that is already drawing attention among fighting game fans. On September 16, the company registered the title “World Fighters” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. According to the filing, the mark covers a wide range of uses tied to video games, including downloadable software, arcade cabinets, and online entertainment services.

The move follows a similar application that was submitted in Europe earlier in the month, on September 12. While a trademark by itself doesn’t guarantee that a game exists, the timing and the choice of name have sparked plenty of speculation. The phrase “World Fighters” immediately brings to mind crossover or arena-style fighting games, a genre where Bandai Namco has long played a major role.

The publisher is no stranger to large-scale fighting titles. Over the years it has been responsible for Tekken, Soulcalibur, and co-development on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate alongside Nintendo. Because of that history, even a simple trademark filing is enough to set forums and social media buzzing with possibilities. Could this be a brand-new IP? A crossover project pulling in characters from across Bandai Namco’s catalog? Or something smaller, like a mobile or experimental spin-off?

As always with trademark discoveries, it’s worth stressing that companies often register names that never see the light of day. Publishers typically secure multiple titles during early development, and many never move beyond the paperwork stage. Still, the coordinated filings in both the U.S. and Europe suggest that Bandai Namco sees some value in protecting “World Fighters” across major markets.

For now, the company has not issued a statement or offered any hints about what the project might be. With Tokyo Game Show just wrapped and several major gaming events still to come this year, there’s no shortage of opportunities where Bandai Namco could choose to lift the curtain.

Until then, fans will keep watching the trademark registries and speculating about whether “World Fighters” might be the next big addition to the fighting game landscape.