Game of Thrones is big on TV, and the series of novels that provided the source material, A Song of Fire and Ice, has a loyal following. But video games set in Westeros? Not so much. Disruptor Beam thinks it can change that, readying Game of Thrones Ascent to deliver medieval intrigue, warfare and moral ambiguity straight to our Facebook pages later this year.
Game of Thrones is big on TV, and the series of novels that provided the source material, A Song of Fire and Ice, has a loyal following. But video games set in Westeros? Not so much. Disruptor Beam thinks it can change that, readying Game of Thrones Ascent to deliver medieval intrigue, warfare and moral ambiguity straight to our Facebook pages later this year.
Previous attempts to adapt the popular property for gamers have been standard RTS and RPG efforts. Ascent aspires to be different by using some builder and RPG elements but really focusing on what makes Westeros a compelling fantasy setting. No, not the skin and um, interpersonal relationships, but the ever shifting allegiances and backstabbing that drive the story.
Each player will assume the mantle of a low level noble in one of the Great Houses in the time just before the War of the Five Kings. Buildings like smithies, embassies and markets will aid in success on quests, which can be approached using battle, intrigue or trade. Players can specialize in one discipline or find a way to combine all three to greater effect.
Companies of Sworn Swords will carry out the orders, with each choice having consequences in a branching storyline. The multi-layered alignment system is designed to reflect the shades of grey present in all of Westeros’ main characters, forcing players to decide between new ways and old ways, family and realm, and cunning or truthfulness.
Friends can be recruited to tackle especially difficult quests, and alliances can be formed to better prepare for some of the game’s large scale events. But Disruptor Beam makes a point of reminding people how fluid unions can be when power is at stake, and it sounds like there will be plenty of opportunities for double-crossing other players when the time is right. Even the most personal pacts – marrying other nobles or betrothing your children to theirs – can be worked around through trysts. That sounds about right for Game of Thrones.
The developers are working with both HBO and author George R. R. Martin to get the finer details of the game world and art style down pat, so authenticity should not be a concern. Writers from Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as veterans from 38 Studios and Zenimax are also on board to help mold the story. Creating a stir with a Facebook game might not be as easy as it once was, but Game of Thrones Ascent has the potential to do just that.
Click the follow button at the top of the page if you want more information as the game gets closer to release. Just make sure to watch your back.
