A New Year’s Message From the President, Part Two

Winter is almost over but today it’s snowing in Seattle once again. That portent can only mean one thing: Winter is Coming! Yes, it’s true; A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying has been approved and is now at print!
As fans of fantasy fiction know, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is one of the best series to hit bookshelves in a long time. There have been four books to date—A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows—and they tell an epic tale that is rich, complex, and rewarding. We are honored therefore to be able to bring this setting back to roleplaying. George R.R. Martin is a long time gamer himself, so it is fitting that he’s given us all a chance to adventure in his wondrous world.
A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying should be out at the beginning of March. This 224-page full color hardback gives you all the rules you need to play. We created a brand new game system so we could capture the essence of the books in play. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can download a set of quick start rules for free, and read many development journals from lead designer Robert J. Schwalb.
We are following up the core rulebook with a Narrator’s Kit in April. This handy accessory features a 3-panel hardback screen that illustrates the Wall in all its icy glory. The Narrator’s Kit also includes a poster map of Westeros and a 16-page introductory adventure by Steve Kenson.
Early in the summer we will release Peril at King’s Landing. This is the first full-fledged adventure for A Song of Ice and Fire Roleplaying. It takes place during one of King Robert’s famous tournaments and offers plenty of opportunities for action and intrigue, plus details on King’s Landing itself.
All of this leads up to our big summer release, A Song of Ice and Fire Campaign Guide. This is the biggest book in the line, a 256-page full color hardback that details the people and places of Martin’s world. This is a great resource for game masters and fans of the series, and Michael Komarck has done a stunning cover illustration of Jaime Lannister earning the name Kingslayer.
New titles will follow, possibly as soon as the fall, but we’ll announce those books as they get closer to completion. We are planning a good number of adventures to make it easier on GMs to keep a game going. We are also going to explore different ways you can play the game. The core book’s default assumption is that your group will create and play a minor noble house engaged in the game of thrones. Future books will provide different campaign frameworks; the Night’s Watch, for example.
Stay with us as we explore the world of A Song of Ice and Fire in 2009 and beyond. Ours is the Fury!
Chris Pramas
January 25, 2009