Bethesda Softworks Trademarks Redguard, Next Skyrim DLC?

Remember The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard? Now nearly 15 years old, the adventure title never found much of an audience among the RPG fans who had already been supporting the series since its Arena debut in 1994. But the idea of playing the role of a swashbuckling pirate is always a good one, and that might be why ZeniMax continues to renew their trademark on the “Redguard” name, sparking recent speculation that they might be working on a similarly-titled Skyrim DLC.

If certain stealthy manoeuvrings on the trademark and patents front are any indication, the next (final?) Skyrim DLC pack will focus on the Redguard, skilled warriors who hail from the nation of Hammerfell, just off Skyrim’s south-western border. Bethesda’s parent company Zenimax trademarked the term “Redguard” as regards “downloadable computer game software offered via the internet and wireless devices” way, way back in March 2011, but has yet to file a Statement of Use.

Click to view larger image The firm has, however, repeatedly and successfully filed to extend its trademark over the intervening months, most recently in August 2012. The trademark will elapse in February 2013 unless Zenimax once again files for extension. Given the hotly suspected arrival of next generation hardware at or around E3 this year, further dilly-dallying on the subject of Skyrim add-ons seems unwise – new console announcements tend to spell doom for current gen sales. Unless, of course, Redguard is in fact a full-blown game, planned for release on the Xbox 720. Pinches of salt, and all that…

With the rumor wheel spinning, Bethesda’s Pete Hines even took to Twitter to comment that he can’t comment: