A trademark that allows the term Goldeneye to be used for “downloadable electronic game software” has been granted a second extension this week, amidst speculation about a 007 Goldeneye HD remaster.
Danjaq, LLC, the holding company that owns many of the trademarks, characters and other elements of the James Bond franchise was granted a second extension to use the trademark on March 15, 2022 in several classifications.
It has recently been reported that the long-rumoured HD remaster of the classic shooter could be announced imminently – a claim that VGC’s own sources had corroborated. However, it’s likely that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has altered timespans, due to the heavy Soviet themes of the N64 game.
Goldeneye 007 has infamously been somewhat of a legal nightmare to rerelease in the past, with rights holders Nintendo, Microsoft and MGM theoretically all required to approve a new version of the N64 classic.
However, 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, leading to expectations that the most iconic video game in the franchise’s history could finally be re-released as part of the celebration.
And there is some evidence that this could happen: in January, Rare developers were spotted unlocking Xbox Achievements for Goldeneye 007, implying that a previously-cancelled Xbox 360 remaster could finally be officially released for modern platforms.
Last year it was confirmed that Microsoft had to shelve an already completed remaster of the classic N64 game for the Xbox 360, following licensing issues and miscommunication between license holders and a young team who rushed ahead to create it, despite a deal for the game having never been signed.
A working build of GoldenEye 007’s cancelled Xbox 360 remaster was leaked onto file-sharing sites in early 2021, allowing those with access to the files to play it via a modded console or PC emulator.
At the time, VGC reviewed the leaked GoldenEye Xbox build and called it “the greatest remaster you’ll likely never play”.
Speaking for the first time to VGC in a GoldenEye Xbox interview last year, the canned remaster’s co-directors said they didn’t think it would ever be officially released.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” co-director Chris Tilston said of seeing the GoldenEye remaster leak into the public domain. “It means people get to see the work that was done, but it also masks some of the cockups that went on behind the scenes.”
Co-director Mark Edmonds added: “The thing that I find strangest is, why now? Why leak it after all this time? Someone must have had this for all those years. It just seems strange to me.
“When I first heard about it, it almost made me think, are Microsoft leaking it on purpose for some reason? (Laughs) I don’t think that would make sense, but it does make you wonder.”
