A Game Of Thrones – Genesis

Blood Bowl creators Cyanide Studio is developing a real-time strategy game based off the Game of Thrones novels, and we've got new screens showing off two of Westeros' most notable locations: the Wall and the Eyrie.

Genesis is a PC-only real-time strategy game that lets players experience the history of island of Westeros, from the Targaryens' first landing in Dorne through the horrible discovery of the Others a millennium later. The developers assure us that Genesis allows players to conquer their foes with any combination of military, political, and economic stratagems. The single-player campaign is being written "under supervision" of original author George R.R. Martin, so we shouldn't find out that Daenerys' unusual bond with dragonkind is the product of an odd blood parasite or anything.

Genesis also offers eight-player multiplayer, where players take on the role of a great house seeking the Iron Throne.

Sounds ambitious for a licensed game, doesn't it? I want to believe like Cyanide is Art Bell and I'm special agent Fox Mulder. I would do disgraceful, shameful things for a chance to play in Martin's sandbox in a Total War-like setting. Until I see more of the game, though, I'm tempering my enthusiasm. If I let myself get all hyped up, and then this ends up sucking and crushing my dreams, I may never recover.

A Game of Thrones – Genesis is coming out for PC this summer. Cyanide is also working on an RPG set in Martin's world for 360, PS3, and PC, but there are no details to share yet.