Eidos files trademarks for Pony Friends DS expansions

Eidos dipped its toe into the casual gamers market earlier this year with its DS pony caring simulation, Pony Friends. And it seems the game was a big enough success for the publisher to be thinking of expanding the series to cover other four-legged companions.

According to site Trademork, the publisher has recently filed to trademark several more Friends games. The first of these is Jungle Friends � prime to be made into a game where you care for your, um, pet gorilla. Also filed were the names Dino Friends, Ocean Friends and Safari Friends. We're guessing the gameplay seen in Pony Friends might change a little for the former � we can't imagine taking our Tyrannosaurus rex for a trail ride, or giving it a brush.

When we spoke to Eidos' director of product acquisitions, Ian Livingstone OBE, back in March about Pony Friends, he confirmed the company would be publishing further casual gaming titles.

"Pony Friends will be the first of many games to come from Eidos that are designed for a younger audience," he said. "Kids have always played games, so it's important that Eidos focuses on kids of all ages, not just those that are old enough to play Hitman. Also, it's important to broaden the product portfolio to reduce risk in a very competitive and changing marketplace. "

It's early days yet, but we'll keep you posted if we get news of any of these trademark applications becoming reality.