Game Of Thrones Mobile Game Comes To China, Thanks To Tencent

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Given the massive following of Game of Thrones, it was only a matter of time before a mobile game based on the series was released. Now China’s Tencent Holdings is apparently working on a game entitled Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming. However, this Game of Thrones mobile game will only be launched in China, at least initially.

What to expect from Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming

Tencent said in a statement on Wednesday that it has released the test version of the Game of Thrones mobile game in China. For now, only players with invite codes can play the game. Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming is being developed by Chinese game maker Yoozoo, which was founded in 2009 and specializes in converting films into games. A trailer for the game has been posted on YouTube:

In the game, players will be able to play characters like Tyrion Lannister, visit well-known fictional locations like Castle Black, and even experience some of the most memorable moments from the TV series, like the infamous Red Wedding. Players will get to command their own forces and play their own mind games while forging alliances.

“The game will inherit the realist style of the HBO show, and players will be able to control various classic characters from the original novel to battle in Westeros,” Tencent Games said. Players will have to “conquer King’s Landing, capture the Iron Throne, and be the biggest winner in the Game of Thrones.”

Tencent didn’t reveal the release date for the Game of Thrones mobile game, but it did say that it would arrive around the same time as the show’s final season, which is set to begin airing in April. As of now, there is no information about the possible release of the Game of Thrones mobile game outside China or which devices will be supported.

“When the eighth and last season returns in April, it will definitely cause a sensation and much discussion,” Tencent said. “By releasing the game at this time, the TV series will help attract more players.”

Big expectations for the Game of Thrones mobile game

In 2014, Tencent gained the exclusive rights to stream Game of Thrones online in China. The series has been played about 960 million times on Tencent’s video platform so far.

Tencent will now have big expectations for Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming. The company has lost more than 20% of its market value since March 2018, and it is facing growing pressure due to increased scrutiny of online gaming. Authorities have also been very strict on approving new games in an attempt to weed out violence and other undesirable content.

Although some new games have been approved for release this month, the list does not include any games from Tencent, Reuters notes. Game developers usually release test versions before obtaining a license for the full launch of the game, so we may see Tencent get a license for it soon.

Despite the slowdown in its core business of social media and video games due to intense competition and increased government scrutiny, the Chinese company was able to post remarkable earnings numbers, thanks to its investment strategy. Tencent, which is among the most active investors in the technology space, has more than 600 companies in its portfolio. According to data from Chinese research firm IT Juzi, Tencent entered into more than 163 deals globally last year, compared to 143 in 2017.

For the third quarter, the Chinese company posted a 30% increase in profits on the back of gains from investment-related items. In 2016, investments accounted for just 7% of its profits, compared to 22% last year.

HBO announces final season’s release date

HBO recently announced that the final season of Game of Thrones will debut on April 14. A short teaser video was also released. However, it’s just a teaser, and the scenes shown in it won’t even appear in the final season, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Game of Thrones, a medieval fantasy series, is HBO’s biggest hit ever. This mega-popular series is based on George R.R. Martin’s book series entitled A Song of Ice and Fire. Last season’s finale drew a record 12.1 million viewers.

Game makers are not the only ones capitalizing on the popularity of Game of Thrones. A Scottish whiskey firm has released a limited-edition collection of Game of Thrones malts. The collection includes eight whiskies, with each one connected to each of the iconic Houses of Westeros and one for the Night’s Watch. These limited-edition collections will hit store shelves on Feb. 19, but they can now be pre-ordered from Amazon.

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