Ask Will Toledo.

Yes.*

You can patent a design pattern, within a specific context (provided the patent is approved)

NAMCO infamously patented ‘Loaing Screen Games’, with its documented example being Galaga.

Thankfully that patent expired in 2015. Hope this answers your question!

Love this Insert Credit type question

Fleabag

The Holocene.

Note: the final paragraph contains spoilers for Starfield’s ending