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

The Holocene.

Have you read the recent Uncanny Spider-Man miniseries? It’s pretty much that!

Beautiful book. I only read it last year, but adored it. Read Robinson’s other work, but nothing equalled it. Great write-up, @jordanlund