Netmarble has released two videos for its open-world action RPG, 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad.' The first is a showcase featuring webtoon artist Lee Jong-beom, gaming creator Oknyang-i, and Executive Producer Jang Hyun-il, who introduced the game's core content, monetization model, and launch schedule. In the second video, Producer Jang appears solo to share key metrics from the Steam CBT and answer questions frequently raised by users.

Why Choose the Game of Thrones IP? "We Wanted to Create a Narrative-Driven Action RPG"

Producer Jang Hyun-il cited two main reasons for choosing the Game of Thrones IP. The first was a desire to create a narrative-driven action RPG. He explained that he wanted to provide an environment where the story alone is compelling and immersive, and that the vast world and multidimensional characters of Game of Thrones fit those criteria perfectly.

The second reason was realistic action. He stated that rather than flashy magic or summoning, he prioritized implementing realistic combat that aligns with the original work's identity—focusing on the visceral impact of swords clashing against shields and the physical weight of punches.

An Original Story for Kingsroad: Enjoyable Even Without Knowing the Source Material

Producer Jang revealed that from the early stages of development, a key premise was not to simply follow the TV show's plot. Kingsroad features an original story that explores the behind-the-scenes of the original work—such as who first alerted Westeros to the threat beyond the Wall when Jon Snow discovered it, or who secured the support of the various Great Houses. The protagonist is the player themselves.

He emphasized that the game was developed so that users unfamiliar with the original work can enjoy it without any issues. With various branching paths in the story where choices can lead to life-or-death outcomes for certain characters, both fans and newcomers can find their own ways to enjoy the experience.

Three Classes Revealed, Faithfully Recreating Original Character Identities

There are a total of three classes in Game of Thrones: Kingsroad.

The Mercenary class is inspired by Tormund Giantsbane and Gregor Clegane. It uses two-handed axes and gauntlet shields, characterized by the heaviest and most impactful combat style.

The Knight class is the most standard, inspired by the Kingsguard of Westeros. It uses two-handed swords and dual swords, designed to be the most balanced class.

The Assassin class was inspired by the Faceless Men, the guild of assassins from Braavos, and incorporates elements of Arya Stark. It features the fastest and most dynamic combat style of the three classes.

Producer Jang stated that rather than simply dividing classes into job categories, the development team prioritized faithfully recreating the identities and combat styles of characters from the original work.

100% Fully Manual Combat, Enhanced Strategy Through Weapon Swapping

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad features 100% fully manual combat with no auto-battle support. Despite internal debate, the team decided on manual combat, concluding that auto-battle would undermine the core gameplay experience.

The core of combat is realistic weight. It goes beyond flashy effects to emphasize the feeling of a sword striking armor, impactful skill animations, and the thrill of successful parries. The game also features a system where players can swap between two unique main weapons and one ranged weapon in real-time. Swapping weapons allows access to their respective skills, and there are special 'burst' skills that can be used to turn the tide of battle.

Diverse Multiplayer and Solo Content, Minimizing 'Chore' Fatigue

Key cooperative content includes 'Altar of Memories,' where four players battle creatures from the world of the original series; 'Elite Hideout,' where two players cooperate to raid enemy camps; and the raid-style 'Altar of the Abyss.' An MVP system within parties allows players to enjoy both cooperation and friendly competition.

There is also plenty of solo content. This includes puzzles involving stone tablets containing the history of Game of Thrones, wildlife hunting, tracking raven trails, and a roguelike mode where players venture beyond the Wall to face White Walkers and Wildlings.

Regarding 'chore' fatigue, the producer explained that tasks are not fixed to specific content. Instead, users can choose between multiplayer, open-world, or exploration content based on their preferences, and the game is designed to allow players to catch up on weekly goals at their own convenience.

House and Territory System: Manage Your Own House

In Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, every user can own their own House and territory. In the territory of 'Renansrest,' players can manage workers and use resources obtained through trade to craft consumables, creating a management loop closely tied to combat. Players can build various structures, and liberating villages occupied by enemies adds them to the territory as trade hubs.

Reaffirming a Monetization Model Focused on Monthly Subscriptions and Battle Passes, No Gacha

Executive Producer Jang Hyun-il addressed concerns regarding the monetization model. He clearly stated, "There is no gacha," explaining that the main revenue model is based on monthly subscriptions and battle passes. He added that while some package items exist, they are mostly limited-edition skins, and emphasized that there will be no pay-to-win mechanics.

A Single - Player Focused Open - World Action RPG, Not an MMO

He also clarified misconceptions about the genre. Kingsroad is not an MMO, but an action RPG focused on single-player gameplay that can also be enjoyed in multiplayer. It supports gamepads for a comfortable experience on PC.

Regarding open-world freedom, he honestly admitted that there are more constraints compared to other open-world games. To implement the realistic world of the Game of Thrones IP, unrealistic freedoms like underwater exploration or cliff climbing were intentionally limited. Instead, he emphasized providing a vivid experience that feels like stepping into the TV show, supported by cinematic cutscenes and a solid story.

In terms of content, he mentioned that 4-player raids and 2-player multiplayer content are in preparation. The design avoids excessive 'chore-like' content that causes fatigue, aiming to let users play comfortably at their own pace.

CBT Key Metrics Revealed: 'Knight' is the Most Popular Class'

In the CBT class selection ratio, the Knight was the most popular, with a selection rate of nearly 50%. The development team had expected the Assassin to take first place, but it recorded about 30%. They analyzed that the classic appeal of the Knight class drove user choice. The Mercenary class was chosen by 22% of users.

The clear rate for 'Stell,' the final boss of the CBT, was approximately 10.1%, with a no-death clear rate of 26%. General Producer Jang Hyun-il explained that the difficulty was set at a level achievable for players who had sufficiently engaged with side quests and field content, though he acknowledged it may have been challenging for those less familiar with action RPGs. He also added, "I am pleased that more people cleared Stell than we had anticipated."

Additionally, 9% of players reached the cutscene featuring the appearance of 'Daenerys Targaryen,' the final scene of the CBT. In the Griselda side story, where the narrative branches based on early choices, the happy ending for 'Griselda's Tasteless Pie' was achieved by approximately 60% of players.

PC Early Access on May 14, Official Mobile Launch on May 21

The nickname reservation event begins on the official website on May 8 at 2:00 PM. Users can apply after logging in with a Netmarble account to secure a unique nickname across all Asian servers. Information is maintained only if the same account is used after reservation.

PC early access begins May 14 at 6:00 PM, opening simultaneously on the official Netmarble launcher, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. The official launch is May 21 at 10:00 AM, available via the App Store, Google Play, and Google Play Games. Cross-platform account linking is supported.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is an open-world action RPG developed by Netmarble, based on HBO's hit series 'Game of Thrones.' It supports PC and mobile cross-play and is compatible with gamepads. Players can explore Westeros, choose from various classes like Knight, Assassin, and Mercenary, and experience an original story alongside key characters from the show.