'Trenched' European release delayed by trademark issues

Trenched is currently delayed in Europe due to trademark issues, but developer Double Fine says that it will see a UK release.

The game faces trademark complications from the board game Trench, which applied for a trademark of a video game adaptation in Europe in 2009. In addition to their name similarities, both games use World War I as their setting and involve military tactics.

"This entire process has been very frustrating to us and it makes us sad that the people of Europe can't play our game," Double Fine designer Brad Muir told Destructoid. "Microsoft owns the IP for Trenched and they are working to resolve things as quickly as possible.

"The one thing I do know is that the game will be released in those territories! It might take a while, but Europeans will have the opportunity to stick it to Vlad and his Tubes."

Trenched was developed by Double Fine Productions, who has worked on Costume Quest and Stacking, and will release Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster later this year.

Trenched released in North America on June 22 on Xbox Live Arcade, at which point Xbox Live apologised for the delay in bringing the game to European territories. It is unclear whether this is an issue that will be resolved with a name change for Trenched, or a settlement between Microsoft and Trench trademark holder Rui Alípio Monteiro.

Watch Trenched's announcement trailer below: