Kingdom Come Salvation trademark mentions online worlds, but don't read too much into it

Warhorse Studios has filed new Kingdom Come Salvation trademarks in the US, and the language inside them is raising eyebrows — specifically, references to online computer games featuring virtual environments and virtual worlds where users can interact. Combined with earlier European filings, it's easy to see why people are wondering whether the third Kingdom Come game might include multiplayer.

Both the European and US filings classify Kingdom Come Salvation under IC 041 — a World Intellectual Property Organization category covering entertainment and recreation services, including online gaming. The US filing goes further than the European one, explicitly describing services for "providing online computer games featuring virtual environments in which users can interact for entertainment purposes" and the same again for "virtual worlds." Neither of Warhorse's previous Kingdom Come trademark filings included IC 041 at all, which is what's fueling the speculation.

But videogame IP lawyer Kirk Sigmon, who previously broke down Nintendo's Palworld patent lawsuit for PC Gamer, says this isn't the smoking gun it looks like. IP attorneys routinely file trademarks across a broad range of classifications to give their clients maximum flexibility — and to future-proof against interpretations they can't predict yet. Sigmon points to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a direct comparison: that game is purely singleplayer, yet its trademark filing contains nearly identical IC 041 language about virtual worlds and user interaction. His reasoning is practical — the phrase "online video game" can stretch to cover Steam distribution or downloadable DLC, so attorneys build in that rhetorical room deliberately. Filing wide is standard practice, not a roadmap.

Warhorse announced a third Kingdom Come adventure back in May, and the Salvation name surfaced through the European trademark filings last month. Beyond that, the studio hasn't confirmed any details about the game's features or structure. Until Warhorse says something officially, the multiplayer angle remains speculation built on legal boilerplate.