More ‘Skyrim’ DLC Already? Why Zenimax’ Recent Trademark Could Mean New Content
"Skyrim" fans have been anticipating an upcoming downloadable content expansion since the game was released in November 2011. Bethesda recently announced that it will be called "Dawnguard," but a new patent just filed has fans wondering what these means for their favorite open-roam RPG. Bethesda Softworks

Players of "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" will now be able to update to the 1.7 patch via Steam, Bethesda announced Monday. Console versions of this update are being submitted to console manufacturers this week, according to the official Bethesda Blog.

Here is the full list of bug fixes and patch notes:

Update 1.7 (all platforms unless specified

BUG FIXES

  • General memory and stability optimizations
  • Fixed crash related to new water shaders
  • Fixed rare crash related to dragon landings
  • Fixed logic error with loading screens from add-ons (Xbox 360)
  • Using vampiric grip and swimming no longer prevents swimming animation from playing afterwards
  • Improved recognition with Kinect voice commands (Xbox 360)
  • Kinect-enabled dragon language shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish work properly (Xbox 360)
  • Fixed issue with Dawnguard Kinect-enabled dragon shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish (Xbox 360)

"Specific to PS3 players, features included in the 1.6 title update, included Mounted Combat, will be rolled into 1.7," the Bethesda blog post said.

This Mounted Combat feature allows players to perform melee and ranged attacks while on horseback. The other bug fixes that come with the 1.6 upgrade, which Xbox 360 owners received in mid-June, are as follows:

BUG FIXES

  • General stability and memory optimizations
  • General AI pathfinding optimizations and bug fixes
  • Optimizations and crash fixes for data leaks
  • Fixed rare crash with lighting
  • Fixed crashes related to loading and saving games
  • Fixed crash with summoned creatures/NPCs
  • Fixed rare issue where saves would be corrupted
  • Improved logic for when ranged kill cams are played
  • Fixed issue with ranged kill cams while killing a dragon
  • Fixed rare issue with certain ranged kill cams not playing properly
  • Fixed issue with nirnroot lighting not properly cleaning up
  • Fixed issue where bow damage was being calculated incorrectly
  • Fixed rare problem with werewolf kill moves would not finish animating properly
  • In "The Break of Dawn" fixed rare issue where Meridia's Beacon would disappear from player's inventory
  • Fixed occasional issue where followers would disappear after player pays off a bounty after committing a crime
  • Fixed issue where certain creatures and NPCs would fail to respawn properly
  • Fixed rare issue with dialogue subtitles not displaying properly
  • Fixed issue with water appearing blurry when loading a saved game after creating a save underwater
  • Fixed issue where map cursor would occasionally disappear after closing a message box with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360)
  • Fixed rare issue with shouts only performing the first level and not other unlocked levels with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360)
  • Fixed issue where the shout buttons would stop working properly if users mashed LB and RB during cooldown with Kinect enabled (Xbox 360)

PS3 players are getting these updates and fixes more than a month after they were rolled out for the Xbox 360. But a major complaint among PS3 players is the release delay for the DLC Dawnguard expansion.

"Still waiting on Dawnguard for PS3," one user wrote in the comments section under the BethBlog's 1.7 announcement. "Well Bethesda is starting to fall off my favorite game developers list. Really would hate to convert to the Xbox just to play Dawnguard."

Dawnguard, the first DLC to hit the latest "Elder Scrolls" game, was released for Xbox 360 owners on June 26. Now, more than a month later, Bethesda has yet to make any announcements on a version for the PS3 or PC.

"I've played nearly every game that Bethesda has offered, and Skyrim may very well be my last one," another user wrote in the comment section. "I, like all other PS3 gamers, am tired of having DLC constantly delayed with no apologies... from Bethesda. I was excited with the announcement of Dawnguard, but am so tired of waiting for it."

Although no official announcement has been made yet, Bethesda is expected to release more details on the DLC for these platforms in the coming days. On Monday, Bethesda marketing executive Pete Hines responded to a fan on Twitter who asked if the DLC for PS3 and PC platforms had been canceled.

"Nothing has been said/announced about it," Hines tweeted in response. "We should have info later this week."

On Saturday, he also tweeted:

"Just sit tight. We'll have info soon," also in response to a fan.

We'll be keeping an eye on Hines' Twitter and the BethBlog for more announcements. Be sure to check back for more information.

The above fan comments from the Bethesda Blog have been edited for grammar and clarity.