Thursday, January 3, 2013

Should We Expect Skyrim "Redguard"?

Almost two years ago, Skyrim publisher ZeniMax trademarked the title "Redguard." Bethesda's parent company has also extended that trademark since. This has sparked the rumor that an upcoming Skyrim DLC will be titled "Redguard." Here are some points favoring and opposing this rumor. 

“Redguard” is an Upcoming Skyrim DLC
1. ZeniMax do not have every term from the game trademarked for “downloadable computer software offered via the internet and wireless devices.” Redguard is part of an exclusive club of ZeniMax’s Skyrim trademarks along with Fus Ro Dah, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn. Three of those trademarks are titles to past DLC.

2. There is a road leading out of Skyrim into Hammerfell. Just a short stroll west of Falkreath brings the Dragonborn to a wide, clear rode leading to the Hammerfell city of Elinhir.

3. A great Hammerfell-related storyline is introduced in the short quest “In My Time of Need.” Basically, the Dragonborn is caught in the middle of a game of treason being perpetrated either by Saadia--a Redguard woman who may have betrayed her noble family and her city to the Aldmeri--or by Kematu--the leader of an Alik’r search party that may have been hired by the Aldmeri to assassinate Saadia for speaking out against the Dominion. The quest seems to have no right answer and no consequences, but that could change if Hammerfell is opened up.

4. The Ebony Knight is an extremely powerful Redguard warrior that wants to fight the Dragonborn. He hopes to die in battle and then go to Sovngarde. Aside from being a great challenge, this makes no sense. Why would a Redguard warrior want to go to the Nordic realm of Aetherius? The Redguard realm of Aetherius is the Far Shores. The battle with the Ebony Knight may be the setup for a more extensive story to come.

“Redguard” is Not an Upcoming Skyrim DLC
1. ZeniMax trademarked Redguard so long ago, it is unlikely that it will be the name of a future DLC. An add-on title "Redguard" may have been the plan in March of 2011, but plans change. It is also possible that the Redguard trademark is for Elder Scrolls Online.

2. Why would ZeniMax decide to name a future DLC "Redguard" when they have already released a DLC named "Dawnguard"? Also, why would they name a Skyrim DLC "Redguard" when one of the past installments of the series was named The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard?

3. There are lots of roads leading out of Skyrim. Yes, one of those roads goes to Hammerfell, but there is also a road to High Rock, a road to Cyrodiil, and two roads into Morrowind. And you don’t even use either of those Morrowind roads to go to Solstheim!

4. There are so many larger threads in Skyrim's story that should be continued that a few small Redguard-related narratives do not seem like a likely course for an upcoming expansion. The two most important stories that need closure are the crowning of a new High King of Skyrim and revealing the ultimate fate of Alduin. The Dragonborn does not absorb his soul after killing him in Sovngarde. The World-Eater is still kicking around somewhere.

Conclusion
If any of the remaining Skyrim add-ons is named "Redguard," we will not be surprised. More likely, a couple of months of fan-boy ingenuity and digging will reveal details of the remaining Skyrim DLC far more interesting than what we can learn from a two-year-old ZeniMax trademark.

No comments:

Post a Comment