'Crusader Kings 2' Maker Mulls Possibility Of 'Game Of Thrones' Strategy Game

Author George R.R. Martin — George R.R. Martin, author of the "Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy series that is the basis of the television series "Game of Thrones", pauses during his masterclass at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) in Neuchatel July 10, 2014. Reuters/Denis Balibouse

Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester has revealed that "Game of Thrones" is the only licence he would consider for making a grand strategy adaptation, according to a PC Gamer report. The parallels between the gameplay mechanics and settings of "Crusader Kings 2" and the fantasy series have been drawn by fans as well as the Paradox Interactive boss.

A licenced "Game of Thrones" videogame adaptation is already available from Cyanide Studio. The adaptation, however, met with a lukewarm response, so the demand for a politically themed strategy game modelled after the popular fantasy TV series remains high. But until such game is made, Paradox Interactive's grand strategy game "Crusader Kings 2" is the closest videogame representation of the series for now, according to most gamers.

"It hasn't got dragons or dire wolves or ominous comets, but you can be a proper bastard to some underlings," said Wester while explaining the similarity between the two franchises in round table session at the company's ParadoxCon event. "The reason we haven't approached HBO is that I'm still on the fence because I'm not sure it's the right route for us to take."

Although Paradox Interactive may not have contacted HBO, the network definitely did get in touch with the studio. The reason, however, was not about the possibility of a new "Game of Thrones" game. HBO was concerned about the CK2 modification, user-created mod that pretty much turns the game into the digital equivalent of the fantasy series. The network had contacted the company after a Kotaku report on the "Crusader Kings 2" total-conversion mod.

Paradox Interactive assured HBO that the company wasn't involved in the creation of the mod. This was in reaction to the network's concerns about the possibility of the videogame maker profiting from its intellectual property. Fortunately, Paradox's explanation seemed to have worked towards pacifying HBO, as the network hasn't sought a cease-and-desist motion against the mod yet.

Wester acknowledges the brilliance of the mod and concedes to the notion that "Game of Thrones" would be a great franchise for Paradox Interactive to adapt into a strategy title. However, the CEO also notes the company needs to get over the "inner feeling" of giving up creative control, which happens to be a prerequisite for making a videogame adaptation.

Few other modern TV dramas have captured the collective imagination of viewers across the board as HBO's medieval-themed series "Game of Thrones." Like all popular film and TV franchises, HBO's series, too, had its tryst with a videogame adaptation. However, Cyanide Studio's official strategy game for the series neither fared well with the series' fan following nor with gamers seeking an authentic "Game of Thrones" videogame experience.

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