Game of Thrones has long been the benchmark for dark medieval fantasy, captivating modern audiences with its rich storytelling and complex characters. Since the conclusion of the HBO series, the world of Westeros has been relatively quiet, with the exception of the spin-off, House of the Dragon. However, the gaming world is set to reignite the flames of Westeros with Netmarble's upcoming release, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, which is slated to enter early access on March 26th. There's a catch for mobile enthusiasts, though: the game will initially launch exclusively on Steam.
This move marks a significant shift for Netmarble, a company traditionally known for its focus on mobile gaming. The decision to launch Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on Steam first is a strategic one, leveraging the massive appeal of the Game of Thrones franchise to attract a wide audience. Here's hoping that a successful early access period on Steam will pave the way for a mobile version sooner rather than later.
Insert Jon Snow knowing nothing joke here
Netmarble's choice to prioritize a PC launch is somewhat perplexing, given their history with mobile gaming. It's possible that this could serve as a stress test, with PC gamers often providing more critical feedback on performance and gameplay issues. This approach, however, might leave mobile gamers feeling sidelined, echoing similar strategies seen with other titles like Once Human and Delta Force, which also prioritized PC over mobile.
This trend raises questions about whether we're witnessing a broader shift towards PC-first strategies among companies traditionally focused on mobile gaming. Only time will tell. In the meantime, if you're eagerly awaiting the mobile release of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, why not explore some of the top five new mobile games to try this week?