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George R.R. Martin's assistant to consult on Telltale's Game of Thrones
George R.R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire, is immensely popular, especially thanks to HBO's Game of Thrones adaptation. It's to be joined by another take on the property from adventure gaming studio Telltale Games. To help Telltale keep its adaptation of Martin's source material in check, HBO assigned sci-fi author and Martin's personal assistant Ty Corey Franck to the developer as its story consultant, according to The New York Times. Telltale announced its Game of Thrones adaptation at the VGX awards in December. The partnership between Telltale and HBO spans multiple years and games, and NYT reports that it began with a little persuasion from the developer in the form of a 10-minute presentation of what the game may look like when it launches this year. Game of Thrones is just one project that's keeping the 200-person developer busy, as it recently launched the third episode of The Wolf Among Us, as well as the first two episodes of the second season of The Walking Dead on Vita. We recently met with Telltale's producers and The Wolf Among Us voice actor Adam Harrington, the voice behind Bigby Wolf, for a special one-hour livestream of the game filled with funny and interesting stories. [Image: Telltale Games]
Game of Thrones Ascent ties updates to Season 3
Watch out, Defiance: You're not the only transmedia synergy wiz-kid on the block! Game of Thrones Ascent announced that it's started to release weekly updates that will tie into the previous night's broadcasted TV episode. As the first episode of Game of Thrones' third season premiered last night, the first episode of Ascent's new content went live today. It's titled Episode 1: Valar Dohaeris and adds "dozens" of new quests, multiplayer alliance challenges, a power leaderboard, and a siege workshop. Developer Disruptor Beam released some stats for the title (which is still in beta!). The studio says that 43% of the players so far have pledged allegiance to the Starks, 25% to the Targaryens, and 15% to the Lannisters. More players choose to fight (35%) than any other action, and the Neck is the most popular destination in the game world (16%). [Source: Disruptor Beam press release]
Slaughter your frenemies on Facebook with Game of Thrones Ascent
If there's one problem with Facebook, it's that there isn't nearly enough backstabbing and politics. Game of Thrones Ascent aims to fix that appalling lack by bringing users into Westeros, where they can wage war alongside some of the most beloved and reviled characters from the popular book and TV series. Game of Thrones Ascent has just launched its Facebook open beta. All game content is currently open to players, and Disruptor Beam has plans for adding new and player-requested features as time goes on. You'll have the opportunity to start and rule your own house, give your loyalty to one of the Great Houses from the series, stockpile resources, and jockey for position. There's room for cooperative and decidedly uncooperative maneuvers with other players. There's no word yet on whether or not House Targaryen players get a bonus for recruiting siblings. Skip below the cut to check out the game's trailer. [Source: Disruptor Beam press release]
The Daily Grind: Have you ever attempted a large-scale building project in an MMO?
In case you missed it, a hundred enterprising souls spent the past four months reconstructing A Song of Ice and Fire's capital city of King's Landing in Minecraft. And when I say reconstructed, I don't mean they simply made a model of the Red Keep or the Sept of Baelor and called it a day. I mean they built the entire bloody town, right down to the interior decorations for 3,000 unique buildings. Now, I've undertaken a few MMO building projects in my time, but all of that pales in comparison to what goes on in Minecraft. What about you, Massively readers? Have you ever participated in a big construction project in an MMO or co-op title? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
This Week in MMO: Really? Bigpoint? Edition
Welcome to another super-exciting edition of This Week in MMO. On this episode, host Gary Gannon and a pair of Mikes have a bit of fun with the announcement that Bigpoint will be taking the helm of an MMO based on the super-trendy A Game of Thrones. Meanwhile, is WildStar a theme-park or a sandbox? Well, we don't know, but the TWIMMO guys have a bit to say on the matter. DC Universe Online gets a wild playerbase boost after its transition to free-to-play, and speculation abounds as to whether the upcoming Warhammer 40: Dark Millenium Online MMO could be free to play. For the full show, just jump on past the cut.
Bigpoint working on Game of Thrones MMO
Winter is coming, and according to USA Today, so is a rogue's gallery of games based on George R.R. Martin's trendy Song of Ice and Fire IP. In addition to the recently released A Game of Thrones: Genesis strategy title, the lands of Westeros will be featured in an upcoming single-player RPG, a social networking game, and an MMO. The massively multiplayer entry is being developed by Bigpoint, a German browser-game specialist known for its Battlestar Galactica game and its love of selling in-game advantages. Whether you're excited about the prospect of killing 10 Lannisters or slitting your wrists over the inevitable MMOification of another beloved fantasy world, the next few months should be interesting to watch.
The Daily Grind: Are MMOs your main hobby?
This week is a big one for fantasy fans, as the fifth volume of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire cycle has finally arrived in bookstores (six years after its predecessor, no less). Since there's quite a bit of overlap between fans of fantasy literature and MMORPGs, and since most MMOs are fairly time-consuming, it's not too much of a stretch to imagine that a few of you may be seeing less of your favorite game than normal this week. Whether you're making a long-awaited return to the world of Westeros, or you're feverishly turning the pages of the first four volumes in an effort to catch up, today's Daily Grind is all about budgeting your hobby time. Specifically, do you play MMOs at the expense of other hobbies or do you occasionally set the games aside? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Game of Thrones: Genesis screens actually have a throne
We were ready to give Cyanide's A Game of Thrones: Genesis the "Most Disingenuously Named Game of the Year" award -- until this most recent batch of screenshots appeared in our inbox. We can now confirm that, yes, it is a game which contains at least one throne.
Free for All: Gaming with Game of Thrones
I have really been enjoying the new series Game of Thrones over on the HBO network. In fact, when I recently changed to a faster internet provider, I deliberately added on the exclusive channel just for the series. Even though I have never read the books, a 15-minute preview of the show was enough to convince me to watch it. While I am truly enjoying the break from fantasy that is chock-full of smart-alec modern-day references (all delivered by smirking hipsters with swords), I admit to still being a little afraid that the series will take a turn for the goofy or overly dramatic. If a single vampire shows up in this one, I am going to turn it all off and go on a long vacation. So far, though, it's been a delightful romp into a cold, realistic world. After I watch a new episode, I avoid the internet for fear of random spoilers or the temptation to look at character bios. I simply do not want to know what's going to happen, so please do not tell me. Since the series has started, I have begun to notice how I enjoy the same basic entertainment in my gaming. I want political intrigue, amazing landscapes, and the occasional epic, bloody fight. Join me past the cut and let's look at some games that provide those three things.
New Game of Thrones: Genesis screens and art are awfully icy
One by one, the constituent elements of Cyanide's RTS adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire are being revealed. With today's screens, we know A Game of Thrones: Genesis will have plenty of ice -- but where's all the fire? Now that we think about it, where's all the singing?
A Game of Thrones screens are light on actual thrones, but rich in dragons
It's been half a year since Cyanide revealed early concept art for its adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. Today, publisher Focus Home Interactive revealed the first pair of screenshots from the series first outing, A Game of Thrones: Genesis, giving us a look at what the action therein will actually look like. Apparently, it's going to feature large, scary dragons. And villagers. And cottages which appear to enjoy being burned to the ground, signifying their approval with an olde-timey thumbs up placard. We think that's what's going on, there. The publisher also revealed a few scant details about the title -- namely, that it will be a real-time strategy affair, with multiplayer support for up to eight different combatants. Victory can be claimed through force, diplomacy or subterfuge -- though, we imagine we'll be leaning on a healthy diet of all three. Forplomafuge. %Gallery-116894%
Cyanide's first Song of Ice and Fire game detailed
Blood Bowl developer Cyanide Studio has revealed a few details about the first installment in its video game adaptation of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire novels. The game, titled A Game of Thrones: Genesis, will be a strategy title which places players in the role of one of Westeros' illustrious Families. Your options for spreading your faction's influence are diverse, including "military, economic or diplomatic" methods. Considering the developer's lineage, we hope friendly games of flag football can also be used to resolve land skirmishes. You can check out further details on Cyanide's official site for more details on the game, or check out two pieces of early concept art in the gallery below. %Gallery-97623%
The Daily Grind: An MMO of Ice and Fire
Many in the gaming world who are also avid fantasy readers are abuzz over the discussion that A Song of Ice and Fire has been optioned for a video game. Cyanide studio announced their acquisition of the title and the questions began - how will they tell it? Console RPG, or MMO? As we know the book is in development at HBO as a series, so it's likely that Cyanide plans to cash in on that interest as well. We were wondering if you also were interested in a Song of Ice and Fire MMO, or do you think the genre is in fantasy-overload, regardless of how awesome the IP is? Would you play it? Or would it have to be something stunning before you'd go near it?
