Elden Ring is Coming: Game of Thrones Creator Embraces Video Gaming
The video gaming calendar is full of major events and conventions these days, but few come much bigger than E3.
This year’s event has been massive with a host of major announcements being made, from Microsoft confirming details of its next console codenamed Project Scarlett to – finally – Square Enix revealing footage from its hugely anticipated game based on Marvel’s Avengers.
However, another headline-grabbing moment at the event was undoubtedly news of Elden Ring, a new fantasy game which has been developed with the help of one of the genre’s biggest names.
‘A treat’
Bandai Namco has confirmed that it will be publishing the title, which has been created by FromSoftware and is described as an “expansive fantasy action RPG game”.
However, the most fascinating aspect is that it features an in-game history which was been developed Dark Souls creator Hidetaka Miyazaki alongside George RR Martin, who of course created the Game of Thrones universe.
Discussing his involvement, Martin said building the world with Miyazaki was “a treat” and added that the game – which is set to be released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC – will “deliver an unforgettable experience”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ASnhnjlF9I]
No stranger to gaming
Of course, it is not the first time that Martin has dipped his toe into the waters of video gaming, with his most famous creation inspiring more than its fair share of titles in recent years. Game of Thrones has arguably been one of the biggest TV shows of all time, so it makes plenty of sense that efforts would be made to adapt it to the gaming world.
Telltale Games has created episodic titles related to major brands like The Walking Dead and Guardians of the Galaxy and the company tried its hand at a Game of Thrones game in 2014. The title saw players experience the action from the perspective of the northern House Forrester and included the voices of stars from the HBO series.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL0BuKoLDYk]
Elsewhere, Game of Thrones: Conquest has brought the series to mobile gaming, while a browser-based real-time strategy game known as Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming was also released earlier this year. The franchise has even made its way into casino gaming, with Aspers slots online featuring an official game alongside others based on the likes of Vikings, Narcos and big-screen hits such as Jumanji. The Game of Thrones slot evokes the series in a number of ways, including making use of the different sigils of the warring houses featured in the show.
Plenty of anticipation
But while George RR Martin may have had an impact on gaming in the past, fans will undoubtedly be keen to see what the author has come up with for Elden Ring and ultimately how it compares to his most famous creation.
With the Game of Thrones TV series ending earlier this year, the likes of FromSoftware and Bandai Namco may well hope that Martin’s involvement in the new title will lead people to turn to it for their fantasy fix.