'True Crime 3: Hong Kong' Videogame Sequel AXED: Activision Cancels Franchise Trademark! [WATCH]

Gamers will certainly be disappointed to hear that the True Crime sequel has been given the axe.True Crime 3, which was supposed to be set in Hong Kong, has been cancelled by Activision, who have withdrawn from the trademark franchise.

In the True Crime videogame series, the narrative focuses on the the perspective of law enforcement. In the open world recreations of Los Angeles and New York City, gamers would follow a police procedural storyline. The sequel would take place in the open world of Hong Kong with an undercover detective as its main protagonist.

According to the Games Cabin, a teaser trailer for True Crime 3 was released back in 2009. Activision shut down the project and sold the publishing rights to Square Enix ,who then released Sleeping Dogs. Though many consider it to be a successor, it is not officially tied to the True Crime series. 

The gaming site reports that Activision has abandoned the franchise after ditching the True Crime trademark earlier this month. IGN confirms the trademark expiration date and the series will not not be getting a sequel.

According to IGN's timeline of events, the trademark for True Crime (US serial number 78067332) was originally filed on Jun. 05, 2001. As of Friday, December 19, 2014, a U.S. federal trademark for the name 'True Crime' by Activision Publishing, Inc has since been abandoned.

The US Patent and Trademark Office status reads: "Abandoned because the applicant failed to respond or filed a late response to an Office action."

Check out the True Crime 3 teaser trailer:

Due to the holidays, Activision cannot be reached for clarification and more details. We await for an official comment once the break is over.

There will not be a True Crime 3 sequel taking place inside the criminal underworld of Hong Kong. Readers, would you have liked to have played this sequel?