We have competition!!! Official game

[stormbringer951]

Linky

Your thoughts, guys? I'd guess that it's an RPG, given that it's for consoles as well, and those things are not too hot at strategy.

[Darkstar]

I was reading about this on westeros.org yesterday. A few guys over there didn't have very high regards for the developer. I'd guess it's an RPG as well. It should be interesting to see what they come up with.

[fluffstalker]

Please.. consoles and Total War? No contest as to which grabs my attention.

Dont worry good sirs.. we'll stay loyal to the Iron Throne here at TWC.

As long as the Iron Throne is held by a Greyjoy *cackles*

[Tywin Lannister]

Cyanide... Don't remember ever hearing of them. Did they ever release anything worth mentioning?

To be honest, if the right for making A Song of Ice and Fire games where up for sale, I am surprised (and frankly, disappointed) that some better known games company didn't buy it first.

[daddytorgo]

aren't cyanide the french company that makes the Tour de France game?

[DrNikola2006]

For some reason, and maybe it's just me, this screams 'trainwreck'. Mature content from A Song of Fire and Ice might end up cut, the plot simplified... and god help us if they decide to do an 'interpretation' of the story, rather than a direct run through. "The heroes who got sent out to find the heroes" in that Lord of the Rings game that (mercifully) got canceled, anyone? Graphically, cyanide looks okay. The upcoming Blood Bowl game won't win any prizes, but looks nice enough... but a game based on a game whose whole plot is "sports is war" does not inspire confidence in me over their ability to write an RPG.

I say that, though, with the full knowledge that if it ever gets anywhere, I will buy it, because I am weak.

<EDIT> Check that. Cyanide made Loki, with the help of Paradox Interactive. I'm probably not that weak... And I just realized that A Song of Fire and Ice would make an excellent Europa Universalis game.

[Tywin Lannister]

I say that, though, with the full knowledge that if it ever gets anywhere, I will buy it, because I am weak.

Well, I am going to give it a try either way (when and if it is released). Still I would very much prefer if it was Bethesda Softworks or BioWare who bought the rights for A Song of Ice and Fire. Both are known for making top-notch RPGs, and Bethesda in particular is known for not being afraid of having adult and amoral content in their games (“The Real Barenziah” may not be a match for Jaime/Cersei incest or Dany’s marriage to Khal Drogo, but it is closer enough to believe that Bethesda wouldn’t be afraid to take another step “forward”). And while BioWare hasn’t done anything that liberal so far, they are known for having adult innuendo in their games, so it is reasonable to assume that adult parts of the plot would be reasonably safe with them too.

For some reason, and maybe it's just me, this screams 'trainwreck'. Mature content from A Song of Fire and Ice might end up cut, the plot simplified... and god help us if they decide to do an 'interpretation' of the story, rather than a direct run through. "The heroes who got sent out to find the heroes" in that Lord of the Rings game that (mercifully) got canceled, anyone? Graphically, cyanide looks okay. The upcoming Blood Bowl game won't win any prizes, but looks nice enough... but a game based on a game whose whole plot is "sports is war" does not inspire confidence in me over their ability to write an RPG.

Graphics doesn’t concern me in the least, it is the game’s plot and gameplay that does. I wouldn’t be interested to take role of Robb, Jon and other “good” people of Westros and embark on the quest to defeat Evil Lannisters and Others (with nothing but my party, naturally, armies are for the villains, not Heroes, and your bannermen are good only for giving you quests). Nor would I be interested to just follow the books’ plot in “Final Fantasy” style, I would like more freedom to “live” in Westros, something like Daggerfall or Morrowind (the games that, while having the plot, give players ability to divert from it and just “live”), or at least, Baldur’s Gate (fixed plot and “plot points”, but different ways to reach them).

<EDIT> Check that. Cyanide made Loki, with the help of Paradox Interactive. I'm probably not that weak... And I just realized that A Song of Fire and Ice would make an excellent Europa Universalis game.

Paradox Interactive, among other things, made awesome in gameplay (but equally horribly lacking in plot) Mount & Blade. If they would take part in this game’s development, I will definitely have more faith in the end product.

It also helps that it is said that George Martin will take part in the game’s development, and hopefully, he won’t allow his plot and world to be mauled too badly; he would probably care more for his and his books’ reputation then about keeping the game within, say, PG-13 borders. (Then again, we don’t know how much say Martin’s agreement with Cyanide has left him in regard of the game’s development, it could be little enough.)

[stormbringer951]

Magic and dragons set the tone.

No no no no no. That's the point, magic and dragons barely affect it at all (yet, anyway). Anyway, if GRRM's on board, it may not be too bad.

[Orko]

I hope it will not be some minor sucky game with limited options, a lot of lags and poor graphics as I expect it to be.
I would have prefered it if some other companies(like Paradox) would have made the game. I still hope for the best, though.

[DaedalusV2.0]

I don't think you have to worry about this studio losing the adult themes of ASoiF, given that their main claim to fame is a football game that includes dismemberment and generally ends with most of both teams dead in an extremely gory manner. Hell, Games Workshop (a company known for their dark and disturbing everything) liked it so much that as part of the IP violation lawsuit (long story) they contracted the company to make a new one with the IP license in place. The only RPG they've made was similarly graphic and included a few rather mature themes, so again I really think the trend is that these guys like dark, mature games.

The only problem? They make crappy games. Their best reviewed game, the aforementioned ultraviolent football game Chaos League, is considered mediocre at best (though the "spiritual" sequel Blood Bowl is getting a lot of attention and might be enough to make a name for them). Their RPG, Loki: Who the Hell Cares* was a poorly made Diablo clone that got blasted by every reviewer out there except Gamespot. In other words: I wouldn't worry so much about it being true to the books, but I would be worried about an inexperienced developer with a history of making bad games.
That's my take on the matter.

*Not the actual title, but an accurate summary of my feelings about the game.

[Tywin Lannister]

I don't think you have to worry about this studio losing the adult themes of ASoiF, given that their main claim to fame is a football game that includes dismemberment and generally ends with most of both teams dead in an extremely gory manner. Hell, Games Workshop (a company known for their dark and disturbing everything) liked it so much that as part of the IP violation lawsuit (long story) they contracted the company to make a new one with the IP license in place. The only RPG they've made was similarly graphic and included a few rather mature themes, so again I really think the trend is that these guys like dark, mature games.

Graphic violence is quite commonplace these days, as a matter of fact. (The same Mount & Blade have rather graphic injuries and deaths, and weapons like swords and axes do "wonders" to unarmored men.) However, adult themes like incest or a young girl having an intercourse is another matter entirely, and so far I have only seen Bethesda having anything close to that in their games.

The only problem? They make crappy games. Their best reviewed game, the aforementioned ultraviolent football game Chaos League, is considered mediocre at best (though the "spiritual" sequel Blood Bowl is getting a lot of attention and might be enough to make a name for them). Their RPG, Loki: Who the Hell Cares* was a poorly made Diablo clone that got blasted by every reviewer out there except Gamespot. In other words: I wouldn't worry so much about it being true to the books, but I would be worried about an inexperienced developer with a history of making bad games. That's my take on the matter.

Same here.

Makes me wonder why George sold the rights so some no-name, as popular as his books are, he can't be needing money that bad. And once the first offer was made, sooner or later some better known gaming company would have seen an opportunity for fame and profit and would offer to buy the rights for him. (George could even go as far as to drop a hint that he is waiting for "right" people to make him an offer.)

[Double A]

Wonder what it will be about?

Playing as Jon and surrendering to the Others or playing as Dany and surrendering to Ghis?

[Rhaegar1]

IMO they should hire the guys from mount&blade and make it a game like that. I don't think AoIaF really works in a 100% RPG styled game but something like mount and blade with a strong story would work.

Perhaps they should bravely decide to completely skip the age the books are playing in and instead let the game take place during the targayren invasion of westeros. Plenty of faction the player can work for and with GRRM around to back up some nice story line it could work quit well. I think a game that's playing during the books won't be free enough to actually have a strong storyline with enough movement in it without completely raping the original story.

[McCoy!]

Given the fact that one of my favorite games "The Guild 2" is a trainwreck I actually have a lot of faith in the development of this game...The above statement does not SEEM to make any sense until you delve a little deeper. The Guild 2's game concept is based on a revolutionary idea with unlimited potential. So why was it a trainwreck? The publisher's ran out of money and released a game that didn't work (Every save was corrupt, CTD every 2nd turn, etc). So people bought a game they could't play so naturally ended up hating it. Now although their most recent release (The Guild 2 Venice) is still a disaster, The Guild 2 Pirates add-on with help from the modding community is now starting to realize its potential.

So why then am I not so worried? I know that unknown developers CAN produce a great game given time. The key word is "time"...GRRM is legendary for postponing deadlines and release dates, so if he is not satisfied with the game I am positive he will NOT allow it to be released, funding it's development personally if need be (he is definitely NOT desperate for money. When does he have time to spend it???). Or he will find the financing needed. And finally I have read his books, I have played his LCG and I have played his board games and EVERYONE of those mentioned are of the highest quality. Since Robert Jordan sadly passed away the only thing I'm fretting about is the fact that he finishes the series before he too passes away...because up until now anyways he has not given me anything else to fret about

[Meneldil]

Cyanide is by all means a decent company. Their game based on Bloodbawl was pretty awesome, Loki is one of the few decent Diablo-Like released lately, and the Tour de France game is praised by Tour de France amateurs.

I'd rather have them make the game than a company sponsored by EA or SEGA.

[Ironprice]

GRRM must see something in this company to allow them to make this game, he has been quoted many times saying he hates the idea of a video game based of his series and wouldnt allow it to happen

Hopefully they do well

[stormbringer951]

Wait, he disapproves of us? Oops

[Tywin Lannister]

GRRM must see something in this company to allow them to make this game, he has been quoted many times saying he hates the idea of a video game based of his series and wouldnt allow it to happen

Hopefully they do well

With all due respect to George as an author, I believe he isn't particularly familiar with gaming world; if he was asked to call some of the most prominent gaming companies, I doubt he would name any off-hand. At best, he read reviews for some of the games this company has made (which can be highly subjecting, if not outright flattering, needless to say), at worst - he took the company's self-praise for granted or just decided that having a potentially poor video game made out his books wouldn't hurt his books reputation (which is mostly true).

Well, we can hope...

Wait, he disapproves of us? Oops

George Martin disapproves of fanfiction, and I have no doubt he disapproves of mods made based on his books as well.

[Ironprice]

Im not trying to say GRRM did extensive research and Cyanide was the shining example of all he considered a good gaming studio, but perhaps they pitched him a very good idea that changed his mind. He is not someone that takes his crafted world lightly, so that gives me hope and maybe a bit of faith that this game will actually be up to snuff.

[Double A]

Give it to Bethesda!!!