The Game of Thrones RPG Will Soon Be Available on Steam as Free-to-Play, But In-Game Purchases Are Required

Upcoming action-RPG Game of Thrones: Kingsroad may be free-to-play when it launches on mobile devices, but those who want to play on Steam as soon as possible will have to pay.

Developer Netmarble announced the game, which tells an original story within the universe of the popular HBO show, will release in early access on Steam on March 26. Whereas most games that release in early access could potentially be there for months or years, Netmarble says in the game’s FAQ it expects Game of Thrones: Kingsroad to be in early access for a “minimum of four weeks,” after which it will be free-to-play.

During the early access period not all of the game will be available, though players will be able to explore the Northern regions of Westeros, encounter characters like Jon Snow, visit several major cities, complete various side quests, participate in co-op dungeons, and complete 50 chapters of the main storyline. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad’s full free-to-play launch will include more regions to explore, additional co-op dungeons, and more. Netmarble states more regions and challenges will be added post-launch.

To gain early access, players will need to purchase a Founder’s Pack. The cheapest one is $25 and comes with a cosmetic “Northern” outfit, a Jon Snow emoji pack, and 350 of the game’s Iron Mark currency. A $50 Founder’s Pack nets owners the same plus the game’s premium battle pass, additional outfits, horse mounts, a founder’s title, and more currencies. A $90 version comes with all of the above plus a Direwolf mount, mount equipment, an upgraded premium battle pass, and even more currency.

Once Game of Thrones: Kingsroad comes out of Steam early access and additionally launches on mobile, it will feature full cross-play and cross-progression across platforms.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will put players in the shoes of a customizable heir of a minor Northern lord who must navigate the dangerous politics of Westeros in order to restore their house’s standing. It offers three different classes (Sellsword, Knight, and Assassin) to choose from, with combat that requires careful dodging and parrying to counter enemy attacks. Players can team up to fight “beasts of myth and legend” in the game’s co-op dungeon mode, which will be required in order to earn components needed to make the game’s best-quality gear.

While Netmarble’s Game of Thrones title isn’t the first third-person action-RPG set in Westeros (that honor goes to Cyanide Studios’ 2012 Game of Thrones), it almost certainly won’t be the last. In a statement announcing the shutdown of Monolith and two other studios last month, Warner Bros. Games said it would look to focus on four popular IP for future projects, one of them being Game of Thrones.