Westeros Would Be a Good Setting for an MMO
By
Max Borman
Game of Thrones is one of the most popular fantasy IPs around, and a large-scale MMORPG may be the best video game format to adapt it with.
Thanks to George R. R. Martin’s imagination and HBO’s critically acclaimed Game of Thrones show, Westeros has become one of the biggest names in fantasy. Viewers have grown to love the varied landscape of the continent and the residents that live within. The story of the seven kingdoms of Westeros and its houses vying for control of the Iron Throne has been thrilling audiences for years, and it will only grow in popularity as House of the Dragon begins its tenure. Westeros is showing no signs of stopping as even more Game of Thrones spin-offs are in various stages of production, which means the world will only get more expansive.
The lands of Westeros have had much success on TV screen and in novels, but the property has always struggled breaking into the video game market. There have been many attempts at capturing the look and feel of the series, but most titles have fallen short. Games have tried to bring the world into the strategy genre, episodic stories, and even a card-based game. However, developers have not attempted to bring the world of Game of Thrones to the MMO genre. The fantastical world that George R. R. Martin created seems like the perfect fit for a MMO like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy 14 Online.
RELATED: A Look Back at the History of Game of Thrones Video Games
Westeros is an Expansive Fantasy Landscape
The continent of Westeros was once composed of seven different independent kingdoms vying for a place in the war-torn world. Since the Targaryen conquest, these seven kingdoms were put under the leadership of the Iron Throne, and Westeros was split into nine different realms with their own leading house.
The North was led by House Stark, the Vale of Arryn was led by House Arryn, the Riverlands were controlled by House Tully, the Iron Islands followed House Greyjoy, the Westerlands were controlled by House Lannister, the Crownlands served as the seat of power for Westeros, the Stormlands were ruled by House Baratheon, the Reach followed House Tyrell, and Dorne was under the command of House Martell.
These nine realms and their ruling houses form the backbone of Westereos and its political structure. While they are ruled by the Iron throne, these houses all fight for more control of the land. Murder, backstabbing, political espionage, and the greasing of palms are all very regular activities, and they are also not above war — as seen during the events of Game of Thrones. However, it all pales in comparison to the impending crisis that the White Walkers and their undead armies pose once winter rears its ugly head.
Westeros is not the only continent present in A Song of Ice and Fire, as just to the east sits Essos.
This is where the nine Free Cities sit and Daenerys Targaryen spends much of Game of Thrones as she prepares to make the trek across the Narrow Sea to Westeros. These cities all compete for the resources of Essos and are major trading partners for the seven kingdoms of Westeros. Not much is known about the continent outside these cities and the Dothraki that roam the land, as much of it is still waiting to be mapped.
RELATED: Other Game of Thrones Characters That Could Work in MultiVersus
The MMO Potential for Game of Thrones is Huge
The continents of Westeros and Essos are filled with stories waiting to be told. Not only is there the thrilling story of Game of Thrones and its prequel House of the Dragon, but also thousands of years of story that has not been explored. One of the best ways to explore these lands and their characters may be in the form of an MMO like World of Warcraft. This would not only allow developers to constantly expand the world with more story, but also allow fans to actually be a part of said story and tell their own tale in one of the most popular fantasy IPs.
The Game of Thrones MMO could take many forms. It could let players create their own character and join either one of the major houses of Westeros, or choose one of the nine realms to start in. They could then explore Westeros and its characters in a familiar timeline like Game of Thrones, or in a brand-new timeline that viewers have not seen yet. They could adventure across these lands and participate in all sorts of political espionage as they carve out a place for themselves in this continent. Wars could be declared, faction lines could change, characters could die, and the lands of Westeros could forever be changed in an evolving online title.
Game of Thrones would not be the first major fantasy franchise to receive an MMO, and it has worked out pretty well for some. Lord of the Rings Online is a pretty popular MMO that lets players explore the lands of Middle-earth and experience some brand-new stories, and Star Wars: The Old Republic has had a lot of success telling stories in a time period that has not been seen in the films.
Players want to tell their own stories in their favorite franchises, and these MMOs are some of the best ways to do so.
There has never been a better time for the gaming industry to try again with Game of Thrones as House of the Dragon brings Westeros back into the public eye. While it would take a lot of work and time to make a game that can compare to the hit show, an MMO may be the best way to explore Westeros. It would give players a way to live and breathe fantasy, and could further expand the franchise beyond HBO’s programming.
MORE: God of War Ragnarok is Likely to Go Full Game of Thrones
Why A Song Of Ice & Fire MMO Would Be Perfect
Game of Thrones is one of the most popular medieval fantasies of the modern age, but while its book and TV shows received extreme success, a Game of Thrones MMO could conquer another entertainment media sector. The Game of Thrones novels and short stories encompass thousands of pages of lore, but an MMO could allow the game to grow past the restraints of other forms of storytelling.
MMO games are meant to be played for hundreds of hours, giving George R. R. Martin and other creatives the opportunity to expand into unknown territory. New characters, quests, objects, and more could join Game of Thrones lore by creating an MMO RPG.
Game of Thrones began as a book series written by George R. R. Martin, whose work on the franchise continues with The Winds of Winter, A Dream of Spring, and the upcoming House Of Dragons. A Song of Ice And Fire takes place in Westeros, during a war between the great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms. Plot armor is notoriously unreliable for all characters, meaning one wrong move could result in the death of a fan favorite. This unpredictability led Game of Thrones to become a thrilling adventure of political intrigue and raging fantasy battles.
Related: FFXIV: Heavensward Was Inspired By A Song Of Ice & Fire
The gaming industry has taken impressive leaps and bounds to adapt books, movies, television shows, and board games into AAA or indie titles.
Companies regularly employ modern technology to develop astounding graphics, fluid combat systems while providing a seamless internet connection to shared servers. Like all Game of Thrones-related games and projects, expectations are high for any work associated with the franchise. If a Game of Thrones MMO ever comes to light, it will need to ensure it features satisfactory mechanics, gameplay, story, and more.
Houses Would Make Perfect Game Of Thrones MMO Factions
Most MMO games force players to align themselves with different factions to craft a PvP environment, and Game of Thrones has the perfect arrangement, as players could pledge their allegiance as a vassal or soldier to one of Westeros’ Great Houses. Depending on the timeline, families like the Targaryens, Starks, Lannisters, Tyrells, and more could be available for players to choose from the start. Similarly, each faction could provide a buff to player characters who aligned with a specific House.
For example, vassals of House Targaryen could receive fire resistances, while Stark Vassals receive frost resistances. Outside of cities and established fortresses, certain areas of Westeros could feature open PvP against vassals of other houses. Killing vassals of rival houses could offer rewards and renown, while harming allied vassals might cause Lords and Ladies to look down on their servants. A Game of Thrones MMO without Houses as factions would be a wasted opportunity.
A Song of Ice and Fire Has No Heroes
A common mistake in many modern MMOs is the lack of importance on the player character, which results in immersion breakdown and an inability to suspend belief. In particular, games like Final Fantasy feature the main character completing quests that should give them worldwide renown but still force them to become someone’s errand boy. Game of Thrones frequently kills off main characters, and the land’s history is rich with conflict and shifting powers.
Related: Game of Thrones’ Most Tragic Story Will Never Be Finished
Even the most powerful warrior is looked down on in places like King’s Landing, where political power is more valuable than one’s ability to swing a sword. By claiming more power, the player character in A Song of Ice and Fire MMO can become more of a threat, increasing their renown in some places while suffering slander and horrors in other regions. Players should be encouraged to choose different classes with different combat tactics, with their allegiance deciding starting areas and equipment.
A Game Of Thrones MMO Would Have Diverse Environments
Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire takes place across (and beyond) Westeros, with many biomes featured across the continent. Depending on who players pledge allegiance to, the starting area and regions could adjust scale enemies based on player level. This would prevent a high-level Stark invader from defeating new Lannister players and vice versa.
Westeros features numerous fortresses, castles, outposts, and more, located in areas of strategic importance. A base mechanic would extend the reach of Houses while also giving players a sanctuary in the wilds. Fortress building, decorating, and passive profit would be an excellent late-game activity that could hold players over between updates.
A Song of Ice and Fire MMO Could Feature Evolving Storylines
Thanks to George Martin’s creativity, Game of Thrones’ lore encompasses a vast expanse of characters and stories, which could continue to grow in an MMO setting. While A Song of Ice and Fire has a set storyline, a Game of Thrones MMO needs to avoid the books’ plotlines. Instead, an MMO would be better set before Robert’s Rebellion, with the Targaryens holding the Iron Throne. This way, players could see familiar characters like Eddard Stark, Robert Baratheon, or Catelyn Tully but interact with lesser-known, interesting characters from history.
Knowing where the future leads would likely influence some players, but offering a new chapter of Westeros’ history to explore grants developers more creative freedoms. As players level up, more areas can unlock, such as Dorne or Beyond The Wall, where untold dangers lurk and challenging boss fights can reside. In addition, each House can offer a unique quest motivated by the goals of that specific House. Still, all House vassals can share overarching quests for each region geared towards assisting local inhabitants.
Game Of Thrones MMO Would Need Live Service
Like most MMOs, a Game of Thrones video game needs continued live service (or microtransactions) to ensure its viability and profit in the online marketplace. Free updates and expansions, seasons of themed content, paid DLCs, and more could provide a regular source of income, alongside a potential monthly membership (assuming the product is free to play). As per the genre, F2P players would likely receive certain debuffs that reduce experience gain, limit the number of active quests, or restrict resources but don’t bar access to in-game activities.
Related: The Witcher Risks Repeating The Daenerys Mistake That Killed Game of Thrones
DLCs and more significant expansions could explore other lands, like Dorne or Beyond The Wall, where the GOT MMO developer can introduce new enemy types, weapons, armor, NPCs, and quests. This would mirror the Game of Thrones Telltale story, where players could explore several locations in Westeros through the perspective of multiple characters.
A Song of Ice and Fire MMO Would Be A Serious Medieval Competitor
The most critical aspects of any MMO or any video game is its gameplay, combat, and motivation. As a story in a medieval fantasy setting, a Game of Thrones MMO would have lots of competition in the MMO market. Titles like Elder Scrolls Online and Amazon’s recent New World enjoy similar settings with already established player bases. A Song of Ice and Fire’s popularity would likely secure many interested players, but the gameplay and combat systems would be vital in maintaining consistent membership.
Combat should consist of several different types, including swordsmanship, archery, and magic, with variations encompassing weapons like daggers, maces, mounted combat, staffs, and more. In addition, the camera angle during gameplay should embrace the traditional third-person so that players are encouraged to collect legendary armor sets that mirror their favorite houses and characters or embrace a unique style.
Previous Game of Thrones games rarely deliver on the same intensity and thrill as the TV show or the novels. The Game of Thrones Telltale game provided a dissatisfying ending, much like the television series. Still, a GOT MMO could solve both problems. Avoiding too much involvement with the main story and giving players their own quests within the Game of Thrones universe would craft a unique narrative opportunity without pressure to follow a given storyline.
Next: D&D Accidentally Stole A Race From The Creator Of Game Of Thrones
Game of Thrones — official site, release date, CBT and OBT, game review
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4.5/5 — (85 votes)
Genre : MMORPG | fantasy
Platform : Android, iOS (PC — unknown)
Game engine : Unreal Engine 5
Developer : Netmarble 🇪🇺 Warner Bros Games 🇪🇺 HBO 🇪🇺
Publisher : Netmarble 🇪🇺
Release Date : ~2022 (Global)
Payment Model : Free
nine0036 Download game : coming soon
Official site : in development
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System requirements
unknown
Game of Thrones (Game of Thrones) is a mobile MMORPG (whether it will be released on PC is still unknown) from Netmarble with the participation of Warner Bros Games and HBO.
The new project is waiting for colorful graphics made on the Unreal Engine 5 game engine. The expected release date of the game is set for 2022 for the whole world. nine0004
Read more about the game
Game of Thrones MMORPG review
At the time of the announcement of the project, it became known that among the features of the Game of Thrones MMORPG are: an open seamless world, dynamic weather changes, massive battles, a quest system and other features MMORPG genre. Game of Thrones will combine both single player and multiplayer games.
The release of Game of Thrones will take place all over the world, but whether the game will be translated into Russian is still unknown. Follow our blog or visit the official website for all the details.
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Become the ruler of Westeros: a selection of games on the «Game of Thrones» | Games and the future on 2×2
Valar morghulis, dear friends! If you missed Game of Thrones on TV or deliberately shelved it, there are plenty of universe-based games you can play right now on mobile and beyond.
A Game of Thrones — Genesis
Developed by the French studio Cyanide, the game is perhaps what is called «the first pancake — lump». Key events are not shown here; you are only told about them in text summaries at the end of the mission, so you don’t have to fumble for lore to immerse yourself in the game. If we move a little away from the text summaries and talk about the dialogues with the characters, then they can give birth to long monologues and even jokes, but the voice acting is done without enthusiasm. Also, the script is in dire need of editing. This is a game based on literature, so it is unforgivable that the written dialogue is rife with spelling and grammatical errors. It was a big fly in the ointment, now let’s move on to honey. nine0004 Still from A Game of Thrones — Genesis/ Cyanide Studio
The story takes place 700 years before the beginning of the story told in the books and recounts the key events of the era when the kingdoms of Westeros were still independent.
Political maneuvering is an integral part of Martin’s books, so it’s only fitting that Genesis made them a centerpiece. In a typical RTS, you collect resources to create an army that can crush the enemy. Genesis is no exception. You do collect resources here — gold to recruit standard units and food to buy armies — but most of your maneuvers are more subtle. You base your strategy not on worker bees or armored knights, but on messengers. These messengers turn the cities scattered around the map to your side and become the first step towards gaining supremacy. As influence spreads, you must use other behind-the-scenes means to weaken the enemy’s influence. nine0004
It’s a pity that the inept single-player campaign does not allow for effective use of these mechanics. None of the missions take full advantage of the envoy mechanics, and few of them require a lot of strategy. Instead, you get long and tedious games of hide and seek, where you either send an army around the map in search of friends and enemies, or command a unit that must avoid the guards’ watchful eyes.
Still from A Game of Thrones — Genesis / Cyanide Studio
Game of Thrones
After a year, the guys at Cyanide didn’t give up the idea of doing something good in the PLIO universe, but decided to move away from strategy and this time to release an RPG. It should be noted that you do not need to watch the series or read the books to play this single-player RPG. This is because sometimes the characters look so different that you have to google just to make sure that this is the same person from the HBO series we know. Also, sometimes the music will stop and go back to the beginning of the track just because, and the sound of footsteps can suddenly stop or start for no reason. It was all these little annoying problems that really took the fun out of the game. nine0004 Still from Game of Thrones / Cyanide Studio
Combat is also not very diverse. Wins against a large group can make you feel like a master tactician until you find yourself using only three or four attacks over and over again: knock someone down, make them bleed, stab a wound, or set them on fire.
Repeat, repeat, repeat. Also, you can’t load a save during combat, so if you make a mistake or lose a character during an escort mission, you’ll have to wait until you’re killed to restart the quest. nine0004
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Game of Thrones — A Telltale Games Series
This six-episode game from Telltale Games, in collaboration with George R. R. Martin’s personal assistant Ty Corey Frank, is definitely not a starting point. in the world of Game of Thrones. Those unfamiliar with the events of book 3 of the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series or seasons 3-5 of the series will find huge spoilers in these episodes, so be prepared! However, the tragic history of House Forrester is fertile ground for a video game plot, and players can look forward to visiting familiar locations such as King’s Landing and Iron Hill, as well as meeting iconic characters from the saga.
nine0004 A still from Game of Thrones — A Telltale Games Series / Telltale Studios
The plot focuses on the aftermath of the infamous Red Wedding from the perspective of House Forrester, an obscure family who did not appear in the series but is briefly mentioned in the books. All the Forresters can do after that is desperately try to stay afloat against the tide of change. Even if their fate is just a minor blip on the radar of Westeros, their story is still a bleak one as the rival House of Whitehill seeks to use the Red Wedding to seize control of the lucrative ironwood trade and destroy the Forresters forever. Over the course of six episodes, you will play as several members of the clan, each of which is trying to contribute to the preservation of the family. Since the game is built on a little-known house, you don’t have to worry if you missed something in the series or books. nine0004
The fights here are well staged, by the way, but they don’t seem to be as dynamic as in other interactive quests like Heavy Rain from 2010.
In this game, when you missed a hint, the course of the fight changed according to your choice: the character could swing hard and miss instead of landing a well-directed blow, or fail to dodge the attack and still get hit. In Game of Thrones, skip the hint, and either you will see Valar Morghulis on the screen, or the scene will not change and will not affect anything. nine0004 Frame from Game of Thrones — A Telltale Games Series / Telltale Studios
Reigns: Game of Thrones
This is a strategy game where you sit on the Iron Throne and try to stay on it for as long as possible. You can play as nine different leaders including Daenerys, Jon Snow, Cersei, Tyrion and Jaime Lannister. Each has their own quirks, as well as specific missions and locations that echo their previous adventures. As the story progresses, you can encounter a number of problems such as the invasion of the hordes of the undead and the timing of the banquet. In this case, only two options for solving each of the problems are given.
So, should you raise people’s morale and have a feast? Or should we save our dwindling funds for more urgent purposes? Will you send an army to face the creatures, or will you rather sit back and use the city walls for protection? nine0004 Frame from Reigns: Game of Thrones / Nerial
The interface is configured as a Tinder account, so you swipe left or right, depending on your decision. In this regard, the game is perfectly made for passing the time on mobile, but it is also worth playing on PC.
Every decision of the King/Queen of Westeros has consequences. Most of them cost money or cause damage to subjects. They also often cost reputation capital, either among the public or in the church. These four pillars of power are represented as indicators at the top of the screen. When one or more reaches zero, you become easy prey for those who want to take the throne, and then wait for a terrible murder or worse. Since we’re talking about Westeros, the way we get rid of unwanted royalty brings up a lot of bad memories.
You can choose one of the proposed role-playing game models and try to build a strategy the way they would, but alas, this does not guarantee your success. nine0004 A still from Reigns: Game of Thrones / Nerial
Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming
Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming is a 2019 Massively Multiplayer Online Real Time Strategy game developed and published by Yoozoo Games. The gameplay of the game will seem familiar and fresh at the same time. From the very beginning, players will be pulled into an empire building simulator that requires you to level up your kingdom. To do this, you need to research technologies, build new buildings, recruit armies, acquire and train commanders, and complete story missions. nine0004
Elsewhere, new gameplay elements such as mini-games with RPG elements add an interesting twist. Players can collect commanders (Sansa Stark, Lord Varys and other iconic characters from the saga), equip them with equipment, earn experience and fight in tower defense mini-games.
This part of the game actually uses a real-time 3D combat engine, which is a pleasure to watch, and you can either control the battle manually or simulate it. Manual control allows you to use your commanding skills and abilities, which is especially important in difficult battles. nine0004 Still from Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming / Yoozoo Games
One of the best things about the game is how it forces players to work together. As with most browser-based strategy games, the MMO element is inevitable. Social systems (guilds and alliances) become important for diplomacy mechanisms such as trading resources or rallying armies for a coordinated attack. Another interesting feature of playing in an alliance is the capture of the Big City. On the world map, many of these cities are true Game of Thrones iconic locations (Winterfell, King’s Landing, Dragonstone, and Sunspear, just to name a few). These cities are neutral at the start and can be occupied by an alliance member. When taking this action, the entire alliance gains buffs to their kingdoms, units, and more, making it a great late game meta.
Once enough power is accumulated, the alliance will be able to rule the Iron Throne. You can’t do it alone, which is why alliances and multiplayer matter in Winter is Coming. nine0004 Frame from Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming / Yoozoo Games
Game of Thrones: Conquest
In this mobile strategy game from Warner Bros. and Interactive Entertainment, your favorite characters immediately show up to tell you how great you are and give you your own home as a starting point. Unfortunately, this is practically the only interaction with cover stars Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen. Next, you have to build your own fortress, which will require farms, sawmills, barracks and all the usual attributes of a medieval fantasy setting. Construction takes real time, so be prepared for a lot of waiting timers. You’ll also get a bunch of free stuff to help you get started — complete the easy tasks that Tyrion Lannister gives you and get tons of rewards to get you going. nine0004 Stills from Game of Thrones: Conquest / Warner Bros.
Interactive Entertainment
An avid mobile strategy player will likely find this game a little too ordinary. There are no new mechanics to figure out, and no changes to a formula that has already become obsolete. And Game of Thrones fans who expect blood, sex and violence from their digital adventures in Westeros will also have to curb their appetites. And if you’re not one of those, don’t worry: you don’t need to know much about the universe thanks to the tutorial at the beginning of the game and subsequent dialogues. nine0004
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Game of Thrones Mods
George Martin’s universe is amazing, so it’s not surprising that many games have got quite worthwhile mods for it. The script most often offers to take one of the sides in the War of the Five Kings, which followed the death of Robert Baratheon.
