EA trademarks Alpha Centauri

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 10 August, 2011

Classic strategy back from the dead?

EA has trademarked Alpha Centauri, sparking speculation it may be developing a new game in the cult turn-based strategy series.

Two trademarks, first spotted on NeoGAF, were registered on 1st August by EA in the US.

The first is for computer game software, the second for online computer games.

EA has also trademarked Alpha Centauri in Europe – on 2nd August.

EA published fan favourite Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri in 1999. The science fiction strategy game is considered the spiritual successor to Civilization 2 by Firaxis fans.

As noted on GAF, EA allowed the Alpha Centauri trademark to expire in 2009. The original game was recently released on GOG.com.

Some are speculating EA may be readying an Origin release of the original, or preparing a reboot of some description.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (21) Latest comment 10 months ago

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  • MonstroUK #1 10 months ago

    Or they could just be protecting their IP?

  • Eisenstein #2 10 months ago

    Facebook game. You'll see. And cry.

  • abelardie #3 10 months ago

    "The Academician's private residences shall remain off-limits to the Genetic Inspectors. We possess no retroviral capability, we are not researching retroviral engineering......"

    Statement from EA

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #4 10 months ago

    GIVE US SMAC 2!!!!!!!!!!

  • wez_316 #5 10 months ago

    I'd love to see a new one personally! Even a remake of the old one would go down well.

    Maybe they are just planning to sell the old game via Origin. We'll probably see a lot of this trademark re-registering as they flesh out their online shop with their old material.

  • openedonce #6 10 months ago

    Bearing in mind the companies that EA has acquired more recently, I'm afraid Einsenstein is probably right. XXXX!

  • nimzy #7 10 months ago

    Get the gang back together. I want to see Sid Meier and Brian Reynolds in on this.

  • Anciegher #8 10 months ago

    omg omg omg, I've been waiting forever for a sequel!

  • orpheus #9 10 months ago

    If sequel - cool.

    if Facebook game... FAIL.

  • Harmonica #10 10 months ago

    I think simply a renewal because it's going out on Origin is most likely, especially since they let it lapse two years ago.

  • Salaminizer #11 10 months ago

    it would be a super dick move, but as it's EA, I wouldn't doubt Alien Crossfire being re-released exclusively on Origin

  • bobfish09 #12 10 months ago

    Facebook or mobile, like they've done with every other IP they've resurrected.

  • Discalceaterabbit #13 10 months ago

    Please dont be shit, please dont be shit.....

  • Gnar #14 10 months ago

    I hope it wont end as FPS...

  • Softie2k #15 10 months ago

    OMG!!! Alpha Centraui > Civ, any day.

  • Badassbab #16 10 months ago

    EAS trademarks a freakin star. What next, Activision trademarks the entire universe!

  • hiddenranbir #17 10 months ago

    Don't you even DARE to reboot it.

    The game is perfect as is.

  • darth_paul #18 10 months ago

    @hiddenranbir
    why not? dont buy it if it turns out crap. at least, they would try. maybe they could sub-contract firaxis

  • ShiroBen #19 10 months ago

    I am not allowing myself to get excited about this. Instead, I'll get excited about the original game.

    Man, Alpha Centauri, that was some kind of game, wasn't it? I loved the way the story was told through the tech advances and secret projects, and the different factions were fantastic. Even the super-religious faction had some good bits, especially near the end when it becomes less about religion and more about retaining humanity. I also remember one of the quotes leading me into a basic understanding of genetics, "genes are not blueprints", this game was exactly the right kind of 'educational'. Superb writing, fantastic world-building. And some of the little video clips were downright freaky--I still remember the self-aware colony, clinical immortality and (especially) the dream twister.

  • Lamb #20 10 months ago

    Alpha Centauri was a fantastic game back in the day, they really should make a sequel. I liked the Gaians and the freedom of information faction, and also how the planet fungus was sentient. It reminded me of one of Arthur C. Clarkes shortstories, iirc where a planet was being colonised and a little girl is the only one who could talk with the sentient life and convince it the colonists were not a threat.
    Edited by Lamb at 11/08/11 @ 12:35

  • hiddenranbir #21 10 months ago

    Because Paul the key element that makes SMAC great is its unique dialogue, specific narrative that flows so effortlessly through the sandbox and the great performances from its actors as much as it was about 'the empire building'. I've already seen Civ lose its magical soul I don't want it see happen to SMAC! Which it most definitely will, cause Sid and Brian don't actually do any work themselves anymore.