The developer of such games as Brothers in Arms and Borderlands, Gearbox recently filed for a quartet of “War Hero” trademarks. However, they have now confirmed to Shacknews that the new franchise is “something down the road.”

Explaining that the trademarks reveal “a bit about our interests in the development of another original intellectual property,” Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford said that “we haven’t even talked to any potential partners” in regards to War Hero.

“So we’re certainly not ready to talk about it publicly at the moment,” he noted.

Pitchford further tells Shacknews that War Hero is not among the three mystery projects currently listed on Gearbox’s “games in development” page.

Pitchford added that the studio is currently “all gaga” over its October-due shooter-RPG Borderlands, with attentions “focused squarely on kicking ass.”

First announced way back in September of 2007, Gearbox Software has finally settled on a release for Borderlands – and it couldn’t of came at sooner time.

When speaking to Shacknews in a recent interview, developer Gearbox Software revealed that it’s targeting a October release for its post-apocalyptic shooter-RPG Borderlands.

“Borderlands represents an important evolutionary leap in game design and technology,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “By utilizing revolutionary new technology to create thousands of unique, randomly generated missions, weapons and situations, Borderlands will raise the bar for next gen action games.”

In reports earlier today, it was reported that the open-world sci-fi title Borderlands had gone fully cel-shaded, which is what you’ve seen in  something like the Naruto video games, graphically. However, when Kotaku contacted Gearbox president Randy Pitchford on the matter he had this to say.

“No, Borderlands is not cel-shaded — it’s a gritty and serious world after all,” Pitchford told Kotaku via email. “But since the game was first unveiled we have made big advancements with the art direction and the technology to support the art and have produced some pretty impressive, even shocking results.”

He also confirmed that the game’s official website will “soon” be updated with new content showing off some of the ” big advancements with the art direction and the technology” he was taking about.

“Finally, there’s always E3 in a few months where attendees can see the game live,” said Pitchford. “I know some folks have figured out that we’ve done something big to Borderlands even if no one is quite sure what we’ve done yet and I know I’m still being a bit cryptic on that.”