Some of our readers might remember a class fighting game by Rare called Killer Instinct, well, if you do, this news might put a smile on your dial. When Microsoft acquired the game developer, they also acquired the rights to their IP, in this case, Killer Instinct.

Microsoft's PlayXBLA talked of the renewal, saying that Microsoft's legal department authorized the following statement regarding the franchise: "We either renewed or refiled a trademark application in various jurisdictions". So, we might not see a new Killer Instinct game after all, it looks like the Redmond-based company is just protecting their rights.

Would you like to see another Killer Instinct game made? Maybe as a next-gen title with some truly mind-blowing graphics and realism?