When it comes to genre-defining works, few would argue that *Game of Thrones* has become the quintessential example of dark medieval fantasy for modern audiences. Since the conclusion of the HBO miniseries, the original setting of Westeros has remained largely dormant, aside from the spin-off series *House of the Dragon*. However, fans of the franchise have something to look forward to on the gaming front, as Netmarble's upcoming release, *Game of Thrones: Kingsroad*, is set to hit early access on March 26th. There's a small catch, though: for now, this is exclusively a Steam launch, leaving mobile players waiting in the wings.
This move is intriguing for Netmarble, a company traditionally known for its mobile-focused approach. However, if any release has the mass appeal to draw significant attention, it's *Game of Thrones*. A successful Steam early access campaign could pave the way for a mobile release sooner rather than later.
Insert Jon Snow knowing nothing joke here
Netmarble's strategy here is somewhat puzzling, given their long history with mobile gaming. It's possible that this could be a stress test situation, as PC players tend to scrutinize any perceived interference with the gaming experience more harshly. However, this approach leaves mobile players, who have traditionally been more accepting, somewhat in the lurch. This tactic mirrors those used by other companies with releases like *Once Human* and *Delta Force*, which also prioritized PC over mobile.
Are we witnessing a shift towards PC-first approaches from companies traditionally focused on mobile? Only time will tell. In the meantime, if you're eager to pass the time while waiting for *Game of Thrones: Kingsroad* to make its way to mobile, why not explore some of the releases featured on our latest list of the top five new mobile games to try this week?
