Game of Thrones: Kingsroadreceived sizable attention at The Game Awards 2024 for its gameplay reveal trailer. The game’s first closed beta concluded on January 22, with more updates sure to follow shortly.Game of Thrones: Kingsroadis currently scheduled to release in 2025, although the specific date is still pending.
Game of Thrones: Kingsroadis being developed by Netmarble, the very same studio responsible forpopular mobile titles such asNi no Kuni: Cross WorldsandMarvel: Future Fight. Similar to Netmarble’s other work,Kingsroadwill be a mobile game (and be on PC as well). Game Rant recently spoke with Netmarble Neo division director Hyun-il Jang about Kingsroad, ranging from the company’s learnings from its other mobile titles to its recreation of iconic Game of Thrones characters.The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q:How did you choose where to placeKingsroadon theGame of Thronestimeline, and how has this affected the story and gameplay?
A:The narrative ofGame of Thrones: Kingsroadtakes place during the latter half ofSeason 4 of theGame of ThronesTV show. This stands out as one of the most compelling time periods for fans. The legendary threats beyond the Wall become a reality, and the North falls under the rule of Roose Bolton, all while political ambitions and power struggles reach their peak.
Players follow the timeline of the season while embarking on their own journey, making choices that balance personal gain with larger ideals. They will grow their house, assist various iconic characters, and explore Westeros. Along the way, players will uncover an all-new, authentic story while discovering untold tales and different facets of original characters. These elements are designed to captivate not only die-hard fans of the series, but alsonewcomers experiencingGame of Thrones: Kingsroad.
Q:What can you tell us about House Tyre and its relationship with other houses?
A:House Tyre is a relatively young house from a small keep in a remote location in the North. Because of this, they lack the resources and influence of the more well-known houses, though they have close neighborly bonds with theNight’s Watchto the North and House Umber to the east. Like all Northern houses, they owe fealty to the Warden of the North, Roose Bolton. Of course, over the course of the game, the player will make the acquaintance of many other houses and characters, widening their sphere of influence.
Q: How doesKingsroadapproach significant choices, given the complex politics associated with the world of Westeros?
A:Political maneuvering and its consequences, whether intended or unforeseen, make for some of the most compelling and memorable moments in the show. One of the team’s main goals was to bring moments like these into the game’s interactive narrative. In the beginning, the player is in no position to even sit at the table when it comes to playing the game of thrones. But, as the narrative unfolds, they’ll find that even minor players have a role and choices to make. Kingsroad allows players to approach a given situation in their preferred way, forging their own path through the complexpolitical landscape of Westeros.
Q: We’ve already seen several well-designedGame of Thronescharacters. Can you walk us through the process of capturing their likenesses?
A:The design team prioritized not only replicating the appearances of iconic characters in the show but also capturing their personalities and individual roles. Based on their on-screen appearances, we worked on the 3D models and carefully reviewed various animation scenarios to ensure they aligned with each character’s personality. We also refined details such as facial expressions to enhance authenticity. For example, we focused on portraying Ramsay’s sadistic expressions and his timid demeanor in front of his father to ensure these traits are effectively conveyed in key scenes.
Q: What can you tell us about the protagonist of Kingsroad and their relationship with any established characters? Is the protagonist a fleshed-out character or more of a silent protagonist?
A:The player takes on the role of the heir to House Tyre, a fallen noble family of the North. House Tyre has lost its glory, and the protagonist’s father lies gravely ill. To restore their house and fulfill their duty as a Northerner, the protagonist embarks on a challenging journey. Together with Jon Snow, they witness the terrifying threat of theWhite Walkersin the Haunted Forest. Unable to leave the Wall himself, Jon entrusts the protagonist with the mission of traveling across Westeros to warn of the looming danger and seek support for the North, all while striving to be recognized as the rightful heir of their house.
Throughout this journey, the protagonist must gain the trust of House Bolton and face outright disdain in their hard-earned encounter withCersei. Despite these challenges, they persist in overcoming various trials to build alliances, improve relationships, and ultimately carve out their own story as the legitimate successor of House Tyre.
Q:Can you discuss the narrative and gameplay design of each of Kingsroad’s classes? What makes each one unique from the other?
A:The appearance and combat styles of the three classes are inspired byoriginalGame of Thronescharacters- the Sellsword is modeled after Tormund, the Knight after Jaime, and the Assassin after Arya. However, their narrative and personality traits are entirely unique to the game’s own setting.
We anticipated that most players would choose their class based solely on appearances. Therefore, the most important aspect at the selection stage was meeting the players’ expectations. For example, the Sellsword, with their rugged appearance, wields a massive axe, leading players to expect a slow but powerful combat style. True to this expectation, the Sellsword delivers slower but devastating attacks, excelling in dealing with larger groups of enemies.
The Assassin, with the smallest frame and dual daggers, is designed for swift hit-and-run tactics, utilizing skills like stealth and smoke bombs to confuse enemies and gain an advantage. Lastly, the Knight, wielding a longsword, may seem like a basic choice, but it offers the strongest performance for beginners. With balanced stats and straightforward attack patterns, the Knight allows players to grasp combat mechanics quickly and transition to an advanced level more easily compared to other classes.
Q: Overall, what should players expect from the gameplay loop ofGame of Thrones: Kingsroad?
A:The development team has created a variety of fictional enemies to deliver exciting action RPG combat while staying true to theatmosphere ofGame of Thrones. While familiar foes appear, like soldiers and bandits from the show, the team has also introduced small factions with unique backstories to add intrigue and personality to enemy characters. These groups cause disturbances across Westeros, becoming a nuisance to some lords. As players engage with these adversaries through combat and dialogue, they become immersed in the main storyline, which forms the core experience ofKingsroad.
While following the main storyline, players will encounter various field events and hidden elements, such as notorious fugitives who have committed heinous crimes and taken refuge in Winter Town or legendary creatures like the colossal bear. Mysterious gameplay elements also exist, allowing players to witness past events or mythical figures through the Weirwood trees and engage in cooperative play to defeat these spectral threats. Beyond these, players can expect battles and encounters with Wights and Wildlings beyond the Wall, among other diverse gameplay elements.
Q: Can you walk us through what combat is like? How has it evolved from Marvel Future Fight and Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds?
A:The combat inGame of Thrones: Kingsroadis a mix ofclassic action RPG mechanics- dodging, blocking, parrying, and attacking - combined with a flexible character growth system. Compared to the titles you mentioned, this game emphasizes stronger action elements and offers greater freedom in how players develop their characters. The class-specific skills, mastery system, and intuitive combo mechanics make battles both accessible and rewarding.
Q: What should players expect from its open-world features?
A:Players can immerse themselves in a captivating story while exploring iconic locations from the show firsthand. They will have the opportunity to walk through Winterfell under Bolton occupation, the grandeur ofKing’s Landing, and even Highgarden, which was previously only seen from afar. Additionally, areas that were not featured in the show are meticulously recreated with great attention to detail.
From the beautiful White Harbor to the diverse landscapes of the Stormlands, players will experience the thrill of exploration. Along the way, they will encounter various decision points that lead to different outcomes, adding depth to their journey. Furthermore, crafting using a variety of resources and extensive customization options will enhance both exploration and combat, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Q:What should players expect from the open beta, and is there anything in particular you’re looking out for?
A:First and foremost, we are beyond excited to finally introduce the game to our players and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in this CBT. Through this test, our goal was to showcase whatGame of Thrones: Kingsroadaims to achieve and the kind of enjoyment we want to bring to our players. Our focus is not just on creating anRPG set in theGame of Thronesuniverse, but also on immersing players in the complex political landscape and escalating conflicts of Westeros, offering engaging stories and diverse content.
Of course, as this is our first test, there are areas that may still need improvement. We are committed to gathering valuable feedback and insights from our testers to refine the game in the right direction. We will carefully listen to our players and strive to present an even better experience in the next test.
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