Game of Thrones RPG Coming in 2012

The second of a supposed trio of games based on George R.R. Martin's best-selling gritty fantasy series and award-winning HBO series has been announced. In stark contrast (no pun intended) to the PC strategy game released in September (which takes place 1000 years before the books and TV show), this new game will be an in-depth RPG for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC that has its feet firmly planted in the HBO series.

As you can see from the trailer that debuted at the X-Summit Conference in Toronto, the GoT RPG will use actors' likenesses (and presumably voices) from the TV show and focus heavily on the Night's Watch. You can plainly see James Cosmo as Jeor 'The Old Bear' Mormont and it looks like you'll also get a chance to play as a Red Priest, judging by the fellow in red setting people on fire. The two main characters are also said to have taken part in Robert's Rebellion, so that may be the time period (15-16 years before A Game of Thrones) of the game.

Here's hoping this game is done right. It looked like the game might be in limbo for a while, as there was a rights issue wherein Cyanide Studios had the rights to the game when it looked like the TV show might not get picked up by HBO. Then the show became a huge success and HBO wanted in on a video game. So Cyanide got to put out their games and now they're working in conjunction with Atlus to make this RPG.

I love the books and the TV show, but the only other problem I can foresee is that A Game of Thrones is VERY low fantasy. There aren't a lot of monsters to fight, combat is VERY lethal, and there's not a lot of magic. In other words, the developers are going to have to be very creative to make this game work. I for one will try and stay positive and I can't wait to see how it will tie into the series.