Gaming blog Superannuation earlier today discovered that Warner Bros. recently filed for a few new trademarks (1,2, 3) for the name "Netherrealm Studios." The trademarks all cover the use of the name on a gaming studio:

Designing and developing computer game software and video game software for use with computers, video game program systems and computer networks.

Entertainment services, namely, providing online video and computer games; publishing interactive computer and video game software; providing a computer game that may be accessed by a telecommunications network.

So I did some more digging and found that Warner Bros also registered the domain netherrealmstudios.com. While the website isn't currently running, it matches the information found on other Warner Bros. owned domains.

Domain Name: NETHERREALMSTUDIOS.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: [url]http://www.markmonitor.com
Name Server: NS.WARNERBROS.COM
Name Server: NS2.WARNERBROS.COM
Updated Date: 26-jan-2010
Creation Date: 26-jan-2010
Expiration Date: 26-jan-2012

Since Netherrealm is a known place in the Mortal Kombat universe, this falls into line perfectly with our previous editorial about WB Games Chicago getting a new name. So since Warner Bros. went through the trouble to register the trademark and domain names I would be fairly certain to say that Netherrealm Studios will be the new name of the Warner Bros. Games studio based in Chicago responsible for the Mortal Kombat series, as well as other games they create. It's likely we'll likely see this name revealed along with the first reveal of Mortal Kombat 9. I for one can say I really like the name, best of luck to Netherrealm Studios!

Updated 4/19/2010: It seems Warner Bros also registered NETHERREALM-STUDIOS.COM as can be seen by the domain registration:

Domain Name: NETHERREALM-STUDIOS.COM
Registrar: MARKMONITOR INC.
Whois Server: whois.markmonitor.com
Referral URL: [url]http://www.markmonitor.com
Name Server: NS.WARNERBROS.COM
Name Server: NS2.WARNERBROS.COM
Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Status: clientTransferProhibited
Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Updated Date: 26-jan-2010
Creation Date: 26-jan-2010
Expiration Date: 26-jan-2012

Like netherrealmstudios.com it too is not active yet. There is also a what appears to be fake website similar to this domain name that is misspelled with only one R, netherealm-studios.com. It features a makeshift logo along with the words "Coming Soon." This website is not owned or running on the Warner Bros network so we believe it to be fake or just an odd coincidence.

Cool, it's a good choice for a name.

Wow I love this name. It fits perfectly for what they will be producing.

Originally Posted by : Jinko
Wow I love this name. It fits perfectly for what they will be producing.

Exactly, and without typecasting them into "Mortal Kombat" with my name idea of "Kombat Studios"

Awesome. I'm sure it's a better name than any combination of "Kombat" or "MK" could've produced, plus it manages to be unique and unexpected. Of course, there's also the tie to Ed's (as well as my) favorite character, and you gotta like that. Thumbs up from me all the way.

Hm Netherrealm Studios sounds cool I think they choose this name because of Ed's favourite charakter Scorpion. MK Studios sounds not bad too.

Now this is a name I can get behind, better than WB studios. It's no Midway, but hey, it incorporates the MK universe, so I'm happy.

I like it.

Neitherealm Studio hey? Oh simply devilish! :-3

Pretty good.

HYPHEN WINS ... FLAWLESS VICTORY! http://netherealm-studios.com/ The font used in the logo speak volumes -- it's the new name of Ed Boon's crew, alright. (Note to Patrick and MK9 Team: Forgive my bad netiquette in hot linking to that image - I couldn't resist!) UPDATE: Sure wish I'd have done this sooner ... *sigh*

This could be a forthcoming fan site, a legit testing springboard before the site goes live on WB's servers ... or it could be another instance of Ed and the MK Team's legendary sick sense of humor to get us chasing after non-existant hobgoblins, Shawn Attacks, and Kano Transformations ...

Yeah I noticed that too. It's actually misspelled. NetherRealm (two Rs) is correct. And WB also owns it with a hyphen NETHERREALM-STUDIOS.COM:

Oh I do hope they don't use the misspelling. That would be a terrible disappointment. I'm loving the new name though. It's now plausible that this team can make a game other than MK since MK isn't in the name. ....but if they do that I'll kill them all.