Konami has renewed its trademark for the successful RPG seriesSuikoden, stirring up rumors and excitement about a possible announcement at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. To many gamers,Suikodenis a JRPG series that needs a reboot. The award-winning franchise, which first appeared in 1995, has been dormant since 2012 and the last entry in the mainline series wasSuikoden 5in 2006.
People are already excited forEiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes,a crowdfunded game from the originalSuikodenteamthat is being touted as the series’ spiritualsuccessor. But no doubt many fans would be thrilled for an announcement about a new title in Konami’s franchise instead. TheSuikodenseries has retained its fan base over the years, spawning spin-offs, cameos in other franchises, and even a manga adaptation ofSuikoden 3that was published in 2004.
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Now it’s been revealed that Konami filed a renewal application for theSuikodentrademark at the end of July, which is just in time for the Tokyo Game Show that begins on September 15 this year. Konami also recently revealed that voice actor Yuki Kaji will be guest presenting for the company at TGS, which has served to further spur rumors that aSuikodenannouncement may happen at the event. Kaji notably provided his voice for twoSuikodengames,Suikoden Tierkreisfor the DS in 2008 andGenso Suikoden: Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Tokifor the PSP in 2012.
The company’s presentation at the Tokyo Game Show is scheduled for September 16 and will last for approximately 45 minutes, and it’s already been revealed thatKonami plans to announce news about a “beloved” seriesduring the event. Speculation about what that beloved game might be covers everything fromSilent HilltoContratoMetal Gear Solidand evenDance Dance Revolution.But with the recent trademark renewal, fans are now tossingSuikodeninto the running as well.
Konami holds the licenses for a number of iconic video game IPs, and the company already announced in June thatSuper Bomberman R 2will be coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2023. But even with that action title taken out of the mix, there are too many possibilities of what might be announced at TGS for anybody to be sure until the actual reveal.
TheSuikodenseries is originally based on a Chinese novel calledWater Margin,and eachentry in the franchise takes players through a story of political intrigue, warring factions, and a host of characters that contribute toSuikoden’sincredibly deep lore. If the “beloved” game hinted at by Konami for the Tokyo Game Show is indeedSuikoden,many gamers will likely come away from the presentation very excited.
