By Sagar V. Mankar Exciting news for Game of Thrones fans! A brand-new mobile game titled Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is in development under Netmarble. The developer made this announcement during the G-Star gaming expo held in Busan, South Korea.
The game will focus on Jon Snow and his companions in The Night’s Watch, with the storyline set north of the Wall. According to the producers, the game draws inspiration from the later episodes of season 4 of the popular TV series.
Kingsroad is being developed by Netmarble in collaboration with HBO and WB Games and will feature intense, third-person action combat. While details about the game are still under wraps, a gameplay trailer showcased some impressive visuals.
The trailer hints at thrilling battles against formidable enemies like White Walkers and Giants. Interestingly, it appears players won’t be directly controlling Jon Snow. Instead, the hero in the gameplay footage is described as originating from a Northern house, adding a fresh character perspective to the game.
The trailer is a mix of in-game cinematics and gameplay footage running smoothly at 60fps. The specific device used for the demo wasn’t disclosed, but it’s speculated to be something powerful like an iPhone 16 Pro, which is known to handle high-end games with ease. The game will be available on both Windows and Mac platforms, providing a versatile gaming experience.
Currently, the game is 70% complete, according to its producers, and is set for a 2025 release on Android and iOS. It will first launch in the Western market, with a rollout to other regions to follow.
There’s no confirmation yet on whether the game will include microtransactions, but given Netmarble’s history with games like Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Idle Adventure, it’s quite possible.
Highlights from G-Star 2024
The G-Star Expo is South Korea’s largest annual gaming event, which began on November 14 in the city of Busan. This year’s event saw major game developers like Nexon, NCSOFT, Krafton, and Netmarble showcasing their latest titles, alongside newcomers like Lionheart Studio, Gravity, and HYBE IM.
Nexon, the main sponsor, featured a massive booth with five new games, including:
- SUPERVIVE: A MOBA-inspired battle royale with a unique two-player team format.
- Project Overkill: A 3D RPG set in the Dungeon Fighter universe, featuring intense combat.
- ARC Raiders: A sci-fi survival shooter blending PvPvE elements.
- Gensei Online: A casual RPG tailored for mobile users.
- The First Berserker: Khazan: A hardcore action RPG with a gritty, cel-shaded art style.
Meanwhile, Krafton unveiled several new titles, such as:
- Project ARC: A tactical 5v5 military shooter.
- inZOI: A life simulation game.
- Dinkum Mobile: A mobile version of the popular open-world life simulation game.
Krafton also surprised fans with HiFi Rush, a rhythm action game recently acquired from Microsoft’s Tango Gameworks.
Lionheart Studio, best known for the MMORPG ODIN: Valhalla Rising, showcased VALHALLA SURVIVAL, a new roguelike game set in the same universe. They also revealed PROJECT S, a post-apocalyptic loot shooter, and PROJECT Q, an AAA game inspired by Norse mythology.
Pearl Abyss presented Crimson Desert, an open-world action-adventure game with stunning graphics, though it reportedly comes with a learning curve for players.
Gravity focused on expanding its Ragnarok universe, featuring games like Ragnarok 3 (an official MMORPG sequel), Project Abyss, and Snowman Brothers 2 SPECIAL.
Aside from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, Netmarble is working on MONGIL: Star Dive, an action RPG set to launch in late 2025. Additionally, their hit game Solo Leveling: ARISE, based on a popular South Korean webtoon, recently won the 2024 Korea Game Awards after achieving over 20 million downloads globally within two weeks.
Focus on Global Markets
A significant trend observed at this year’s G-Star event is the emphasis on reaching international markets, particularly in North America and Europe. Out of nearly 20 games presented by seven major Korean companies, 16 titles are either confirmed for global release or under consideration for international launches. This global focus highlights the growing ambition of Korean developers to expand their presence beyond the domestic gaming scene.
With a mix of fresh gameplay, beloved franchises, and innovative new titles, the G-Star 2024 expo has set the stage for an exciting year in gaming ahead.