If there’s one franchise that’s captivated the minds and eyes of TV viewers across the world over the last few years, it’s Game of Thrones (GoT). First aired by HBO in 2011 and based on George R. R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire, the show has not only received critical acclaim, but it’s generated a huge amount of revenue.
Despite Season 6 costing a reported $10 million (£8 million) an episode, the franchise has still proved to be hugely profitable. Although the total value is hard to define, we do know that its viewing figures have been impressive. In the US alone, the one episode of Season 6 pulled in 8.9 million in the US alone which is impressive given that HBO is a subscription-only channel.
On top of US viewing figures, the TV show has average 23.3 million views per episode across all platforms (international TV channels and online), while its official Twitter account has 4.6 million followers – and counting. For all intents and purposes, GoT is an international hit. However, it’s not all about the TV.
Like all modern entertainment franchises, cross-platform interaction is crucial and part of GoT success has been its gaming options. Much like its peers – e.g. James Bond, Superman, Batman etc – GoT has thrown itself into a variety of gaming genres and, in turn, increased its overall popularity and reached out to an even wider audience. With this in mind, we’ve picked out some of the perhaps unexpected ways you can interact with the Seven Kingdoms and become a virtual hero.
Telltale Game Series
Available across a variety of platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox and mobile, this Telltale offering was released in 2014 and is comprised of six episodes. Essentially an RPG where each decision you make determines your fate, this series offers a virtual way to relive the TV series. After you take control of a character from the House of Forrester, your mission is to explore a variety of worlds and complete missions that run in unison with the show’s storylines.
Although there hasn’t been any talk of a virtual reality addition to the series, it’s certainly something that would work. The role play dynamics would easily transfer into a first-person adventure where players could don a headset (such as Oculus Rift) and walk through various worlds while battling the enemy.
GoT the Slot Machines
If you like to think outside of the box, then why not take a spin with the GoT cast? Over the last few years, the online casino industry has embraced TV and film-themed slots wholeheartedly and GoT has also jumped on that bandwagon. In fact, when you look at the William Hill games lobby, you’ll find not one but two Game of Throne slots.
For those that like their action a little more tame, the 15-line version offers spins from as little as £0.15, while Wild at Heart can take advantage of the 243 ways to win version with bets starting at £0.30. Being a licensed operator, William Hill guarantees all wins (even the six-figure jackpots), but the real draw of these games is their styling. From familiar soundtracks to in-game videos, these slots are a great way to make a game out of GoT.
GoT Board Games
Board games might seem a little old-fashioned in today’s gaming climate, but GoT hasn’t overlooked these Christmas favourites. A quick look through the market reveals that there are GoT board games of all shapes and sizes. From official versions of Risk and Monopoly to a trivia option where fans can see how well they really know the show, you’ll basically find that every base has been covered.
Perhaps the most interesting GoT board game is The Iron Throne by Fantasy Flight Games. Putting you in charge of one of the five Great Houses, this game challenges you to roll the dice and use a combination of cunning and deception to win. Again, what really makes this game and everything else we’ve mentioned is its ability to take the GoT story and make it interactive.
GoT is hugely popular because of its tales of love, war, loyalty and tragedy and that’s what’s made its games a hit. Essentially, if you’re looking for a way to get more out of GoT and take the storylines to your own place, then games are the best way to go.
Header image: ‘Game of Thrones Bluray 1‘ (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Idhren