Tag Archives: George R.R. Martin

Two More Game of Thrones Trailers Released

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The popular HBO television series based on the books of George R.R. Martin will begin anew come April 1st. With this rapid approach of the season 2 premier of Game of Thrones, we can watch online as marketing gears up for the upcoming coming war.

No, not the war depicted in the storyline, but the war for our consumerist souls. HBO at this point expects a huge viewership turnout for the season premiere, but it wants more. AMC’s The Walking Dead broke cable rating records simply with a mid-season premiere. From what I can tell, the success of this was based on the infectious nature caused by the season 1 fanbase, trailers, teasers, stills, and rocking posters, exactly like what a movie production does. So HBO’s marketing team must have noticed this because it’s seems to have revved up their campaign as of last month.

Since December, we’ve seen multiple production trailers shot at exotic locations; anywhere beyond the city or town you live in is exotic really. Lots of behind the scenes talking to the cast either enjoying their lovely stay in tropical where ever, or freezing their butts off in depressive Iceland.

Then after The Walking Dead did it’s thing on television in February, we got hit with Game of Throne teaser posters, tag lines “War is Coming!”, stills and the release of the first full trailer for season 2, which they call Power and Grace. Yes, they even named their trailers.

Of course, there’s a reason for going to all this trouble. It’s because HBO stands to make a lot more merchandising. There’s the HBO branding and their affiliated products; like online players; DVDs, props; I’m sick of seeing these GoT swords everywhere. The new hot button item that’s going to come out are the two new GoT video games. One of them which is a massive multiplayer online role playing game. Sure it’s free to play now, but how much would a hardcore GoT fan pay for their own dire wolf? A dollar? Ten? How about a hundred?

Not to be outdone by The Walking Dead, HBO’s marketing team has gone a step further and released two new trailers, more hip and cool than the last. One trailer is called The More You Love, which examines the theme of love and how all characters entwined to it seem to walk a path of death and agony in the GoT. It’s loaded with imagery combined with intense words and phrases, like the image of a shadowy Arya Starks simply stating, “Anyone can be killed.” The trailer ends with a jaded viewpoint, “The more people you love, the weaker you are.”

I wouldn’t be surprised if the HBO marketing team was split into two and pitted against each other. Their task, to create a better trailer, because the second trailer takes an entirely different path in drawing attention.

The second trailer is called Seven Devils, and like really good trailers for movies, has a really cool song attached to it. It’s exactly like an Apple commercial at this point. It has lodged an annoying catchy songs in my head and I can’t stop hitting repeat on my music player. The song is also called Seven Devils and it’s by an English indie pop band called Florence + The Machine. So there isn’t a mainstream saturation of this song; yet. If this band wasn’t popular before, I would not be surprised if this trailer puts the band on the map or on the charts.

The sound of this song has the biorhythm beats like early Sarah McLachlan, vocals like Annie Lennox, mixed with the primal sound of a shaman’s drum. It’s the the touch of Celtic that makes the entire trailer and actually makes me excited to watch the Game of Thrones for once.

Check out the latest Game of Thrones trailers below and judge for yourself.

Trailer #2: Seven Devils

 

Trailer #3: The More you Love.

Game of Thrones MMORPG: Cash Grab is Coming

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Cable network HBO has signed a deal with Bigpoint to develop a new online game.  This new game will be a massive multiplayer online role playing game based on HBO’s series” Game of Thrones”, which in turns is adapted from George R.R. Martins original A Song of Ice and Fire book series.

The German game developer Bigpoint has already had some experiencing developing MMORPGs, creating one based on the Battle Galactica television series.  The “Game of Thrones” online game will also be available as a free-to-play and set in the fictional world of Westeros.

Bigpoint CEO Heiko Hubertz had this to say:

“With a rich and complex story, expressed through an amazing level of detail, it’s easy to see why the HBO series Game of Thrones has amassed an army of fans worldwide.”

“We intend to build a game that resonates intimately with its diehard community of followers, while also creating an authentic gaming experience that attracts newcomers to the franchise.”

Jack Wulff, Artplant’s founder and executive producer has said,

“Our goal is to be one of the worlds leading developers of 3D MMO browser based games…”

“As a fan of fantasy it’s a dream come true to be working with Game of Thrones, and there’s hardly any other fantasy license in the world with a bigger potential”, Jørgen Tharaldsen, the games producer added.

Here’s the hitch, while HBO has signed a deal with Bigpoint; a German video game developer; the game will actually be developed by Norwegian games studio, Artplant.

Why’s this?

First off, Bigpoint makes games for stand-alone browser-based games.  Think flash games and social media games.  It also runs a gaming portal website already with a lot of browser based MMORPGs. Meanwhile, the biggest name in MMORPGs right now is World of Warcraft.  That game originally required purchases of DVDs and expansion packs, coupled with many downloads.  The graphics are amazing.  There isn’t much a browser-based MMORPG can do to compete against WoW in terms of quality.

So at this point, the expectation for the imagery of Westeros is set pretty high.  The goal is most likely get that realistic medieval feeling one gets watching the television show.

That’s why Artplant was brought it.  Why not just go to Artplant or another developer then?

I think it’s because HBO likes Bigpoint’s business model for online games.  Bigpoint is currently one of the leaders in the fast-growing free-to-play gaming industry.  Free-to-play means that you don’t have to purchase the game, an activation fee, or a monthly fee.  The catch is that if you want any perks to the game, you have to pay for it.

Take Dark Orbit for example.  Dark Orbit is a game which was developed by Bigpoint.  The game is set in outer space; where flying ships are easier to render than the illusion of walking and riding around on terra firma.  Players control a spaceship in a battle against non-player characters and other players. In these battles they can be supported by combat drones.  There are different levels of drones ranking up to the 10th drone; the Zeus; which is very rare.  In order to obtain one, you need to have all 9 previous drones and the blueprints to make it.

The game has over 7 million registered users and amongst them, a fraction will actually pay an exorbitant fee for in game advantages.  The cost of bypassing all the rules to get a Zeus drone was offered for the low price of 1000 Euro Dollars.  That’s around $1300.00 U.S for those people who love the game, perhaps their primary source of enjoyment.  To them it may seem like good value.

Unlike most social media games that try to nickel and dime with minor in game perks; like buying into the in game monetary system; the business model of the Bigpoint is not to get everybody to spend a dime, but to get the addicted gamers to spend a whole lot.

As of today, they already have over 250 million registered users and I think HBO wants a piece of that online pie.  This is in addition to the console adventure game being developed by Cyanide studios.  Their game perk is currently an art book that comes with pre-orders; while supplies last.

While I look forward to wild incestuous sex and nudity in an online game, in the end, this is basically another HBO cash grab.  It’s only a matter of time before there’s a MMORPG for “The Walking Dead.”

The second season of “Game of Thrones” begins on April 1.

Pre-Orders of the Game of Thrones Video Game Bundled with Bonus Art

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Game of Thrones had a game under development before the HBO show came around. However, it seems that a late deal was reached to incorporate some familiar faces and voices into the video game from the television series. So from how things stand now, there will be a mixture of game development that combines the vision of Cyanide Studios; the game developer; ATLUS; the game publisher; and HBO’s vision; the television show adaptation.

The original story for the game was written under the supervision of George R. R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones book series. The game promises to deliver an interactive role-playing experience for avid fans. Gamers will visit Martin’s world of Westeros, containing within its own plane familiar locations and characters straight from the book. Fans of the intellectual property who can’t get enough just simply reading or watching the story will have a chance to take an active role, immersing themselves in the drama as it unfolds.

But wait, there’s more! Those that pre order the upcoming Game of Thrones RPG will also receive a hardbound art book, Game of Thrones: Visuals from the RPG. This offer is only available from participating retailers while limited supplies last. So those with impulse buying issues or want to have the extra swag, pre-order your game from from Amazon, GameStop, EB Games, or the HBO Shop.

The bonus art book offers sixty-four full color pages that include sketches, concept art, photos, screenshots and renders from the game, complete with DVD Commentary like text from the game’s developers. The package will also include behind the scenes materials, like a special message from Martin; possibly telling us to drink more Ovaltine; and a portrait of the development team. That’s what I’m missing from my life, more portraits of development teams. The bonus book measures at 8.5″ wide and 11″ tall, hardbound and printed on the most premium of stock papers. You know, the hard glossy kind that resists fingerprints and could kill children with paper cuts.

With the collector’s edition quality here in the bonus book, some may just want to get their hands on the art rather than the game. If they do, they’ll have to shell out $60.00 for it like everyone else. Though I’m sure that if you wait long enough online, you’ll be able to find the book being resold somewhere; to offset the cost of games and all. Yes, people will do it. I remember buying the Vampire: The Masquerade video game just for a hardcover Book of Nod. I ended up just giving a friend of mine the game.

In an official press release, The Game of Thrones: The Game, has been described as follows:

“In this 30-plus hour action RPG, players will enter the gritty and medieval fantasy world of Westeros. As one of two original characters with disparate motivations, both former soldiers of Robert’s Rebellion, players will forge alliances and wage battles as they play a pivotal role in the ongoing war for power of the Seven Kingdoms. Their journey will span numerous quests, during which they will interact with many characters and make key decisions that impact the realm.

Standing before the majesty and bitter isolation of the Wall or walking through the streets and alleys of King’s Landing, players will not simply pass by locations and characters integral to the series; they will explore and interact with them, meeting and learning about the people and history that defines them and their importance. Key decisions and major events will have meaningful impact on Westeros, allowing the player to witness how the game world evolves over time based on their actions or inactions. Moreover, “Game of Thrones” introduces an innovative “active slowdown tactical combat engine” in which combat mirrors the series’ thoughtful approach to war and politics: fighting slows but never stops entirely, forcing the player to make quick, pressured choices before their enemy strikes again.”

Isn’t the slowdown tactical combat engine basically Matrix bullet time? I’m pretty sure they did that in the Max Payne video games and Prince of Persia. Either way, it remains to be seen whether or not the game lives up to the acclaim that Martin and HBO have brought to the franchise.

Check out the game trailer below.

Game of Thrones In Production Featurette in Iceland

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While other cast members of HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones” get to go experience sunny Croatia, or scenic Belfast in Northern Ireland, there are poor sods who have to film their portion North of the Wall. That’s right, Iceland, during the middle of winter no less.

The critically acclaimed show, based on George R.R. Martin’s book of the same name is revving up the marketing engines. While releasing what is called teaser art, a poster image with the words, “War Is Coming” HBO also released a video to help fans ease their wait.

The teaser poster as explained in the article HBO Warning: War Is Coming to the Game of Thrones.

“Based on the family words of the House of Stark, “Winter Is Coming”, the war that is promised ties in from the first season of “Game of Thrones”. The eldest Stark is coming to whoop the false King for killing their father and holding their sister captive. Though not an official saying in the book series of the same name by George R.R. Martin, the phrase War Is Coming appears to the HBO’s tagline for the second season.”

Winter apparently didn’t come fast enough, so they went to winter instead. The cast and crew discuss in this video how the beautiful environment comes with it’s costs. Featuring soundbites from cast members including James Cosmo, Mark Stanley, John Bradley, Kit Harington and Simon Armstrong. The breathtaking scenery does help the actors dive into character, all contained in the cold and bleak fictional world. Though there are obvious pains for the production crew. Off handed remarks about “nearly” falling off of cliffs and falling into crevices for starters. Then the 4 hour window of light they have a day to film.

Everyone in the video looks cold and annoyed with life. I’m not sure how any of them can manage the smiles when their faces are that numb and exposed. For actors like John Cosmos, that’s either incredible make-up, or some of these actors have cold dried skin burn on their faces.

Woe to the skinny, under-weight actors with visible abs. They must be envious of John Bradley, the actor who plays the fat and timid Samwell Tarly. Though he feels the cold, I’m sure he must retain heat a little bit longer than the rest of them.

Also a sneak peek at Qhorin, also known as Halfhand played by Simon Armstrong. Was it me or did he look a little like older Leonard Nimoy Spock in this video?

Kit Harington, the actor who plays Jon Snow in the series said, “One of the most incredible experiences of my life. Epic.” Of course it is. You’re being paid. Other people endure the cold because they have no choice. Again, You know nothing, Jon Snow.

Game of Thrones returns with Season 2 on April 1st.  Check out the production trailer below.

HBO Warning: War Is Coming to the Game of Thrones

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“War Is Coming” the central words behind the new piece of teaser art released by HBO. In preparations for the season 2 release of “Game of Thrones”, the new promotional piece is a banner for the upcoming conflict the series promises.

Based on the family words of the House of Stark, “Winter Is Coming”, the war that is promised ties in from the first season of “Game of Thrones”. The eldest Stark is coming to whoop the false King for killing their father and holding their sister captive. Though not an official saying in the book series of the same name by George R.R. Martin, the phrase War Is Coming appears to the HBO’s tagline for the second season.

That or it’s HBO’s warning to AMC’s “The Walking Dead”, which broke cable records of most watched show last Sunday. HBO seems to be gearing up with their own promotional war of sorts. Like a another family from their show, they may be going for the effect of, “Hear me roar!” or better when competing against record breaking numbers, “A Lannister always pays his debts.

Okay, the poster doesn’t seem like a tease to me. I feel more like, “Oh. Okay. Shall I go along my merry business until its here?”

Already with a vast cast of actors, intricate story lines, and rabid fans waiting with swords at the slightest book deviation, the Game of Thrones will be adding a whopping sixteen new faces; some which will be in guest appearances. Joining the cast are the likes of Stephen Dillane, Nonso Anonzie, Natalie Dormer, and Jeyne Westerling; Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter!?! With so many to mention I’m worried that I’m going to need a flowchart or venn diagram to keep track of everyone. Or at least I should make a dead pool of which episodes they’ll start killing characters in.

Mina Kelly of Boomtron explains why:

“As quickly as these characters are born, they will likely also perish. It would be wise not to become too attached to any particular person in this series as any die hard fan would surely know. The lesson was learned when Eddard Stark, who gave the impression of “main character” lost his head near the end of season 1. And, after the initial shock of Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright) being pushed out of a castle window by Jamie Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) wears off, you learn quickly that anything can happen.”

Apparently in between the sex scenes, the nudity and violence, there’s a story too. (Looks at his stacks of unread books) Yes, I’ll get to it.

The Season 2 premiere of Game of Thrones will bring the noise April 1st at 9pm EST.