Summary
As some Bethesda fans may already be aware, the legendary RPG maker was once approached to make a video game series based onA Song of Ice and Fire, the best-selling book series that would go on to be adapted into theGame of ThronesTV show. Of course, Bethesda would have to turn down the offer, leaving many to wonder just what anElder Scrolls-styleGame of Thronesexperience might look like.
There are many reasons why a Bethesda-ledGame of Thronesgame seems tantalizing, not the least of which is the richworldbuilding brought to life byGame of Thrones. But another reason why this prospect is so interesting is Bethesda’s instantly recognizable approach to RPGs, exemplified by theElder Scrollsseries. One might even go so far as to say thatSkyrim, a slightly dark fantasy game touching on concepts like winter, political intrigue, and dragons, is directly inspired by George R.R. Martin’s seminal book series. With so many parallels betweenSkyrimandA Song of Ice and Fire, it’s easy to imagine what could have been had Bethesda moved forward with the book adaptation.
Bringing Together Game of Thrones and The Elder Scrolls Is Possible
The Elder Scrolls: Game of Thrones Probably Wouldn’t Work
Marrying thegameplay conventions ofThe Elder ScrollswithGame of Thronescould work, but just like any good marriage, it would require a good deal of compromise. Sure,Skyrimmight seem a lot likeGame of Throneson the surface, but its style of fantasy is wholly different in a number of key ways.
Put plainly,Game of Thrones(and especially theSong of Ice and Firebook series) adheres to many low fantasy conventions. What this means is that, while there are supernatural forces in the story, certain genre hallmarks like staff-wielding wizards, orc armies, and righteous kings are either absent or radically recontextualized. Much of themagic inGame of Thronesis subtleor interpretable rather than overt.
This stands in stark contrast to how supernatural elements function inThe Elder Scrolls, where players can seize full control of a loosely defined magic system and face off against any number of typical fantasy creatures like draugrs, orcs, and trolls. This may seem like a small detail or something that would be easy to work around, but it’s emblematic of a larger approach to game and narrative design. A game likeSkyrimleverages its fantasy elementsand setting to produce satisfying and immersive gameplay rather than a tight, controlled story.
What a Bethesda Game of Thrones RPG Could Look Like
There are several different paths a theoretical BethesdaGame of ThronesRPG could take, but it would probably function best outside the confines of the coreSong of Ice and Firenarrative. This is because, while the story does have its fair share of battles and adventure, it’s generally more concerned with conversations, relationships, and fleshing out its fictional world with nuanced, key details.Bethesda has long emphasized player freedom, building games around a sense of adventure and exploration, so a linear, tight narrative probably wouldn’t be the best fit.
Instead, the studio could make an open-world, sandbox RPG set in theGame of Thronesworld, but not necessarily following the series' best-known characters. On the gameplay side of things, a BethesdaGoTgame would have to be conservative about its use of magic—players probably wouldn’t be able to shoot fire out of their hands or take down dragon after dragon.
Bethesda isn’t adaptingGame of Thrones, but if it were, then the differences between George R.R. Martin’s book series and the game company’s flagship RPG franchise would have to be considered. Who knows, maybeA Song of Ice and Firewill someday be the spark for a more grounded, gritty version ofThe Elder Scrolls.
