On the 17th, Netmarble finally pulled back the curtain on its new action RPG, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad, during an online showcase. Hosted by webtoon artist Lee Jong-bum, the event featured Game of Thrones: Kingsroad development lead Jang Hyun-il and content creator Oknyang-i, who walked us through what to expect.

A visceral, narrative-driven action RPG.

Jang Hyun-il kicked things off by explaining why they chose such a massive IP. He’s pushing for a 'narrative-driven action RPG' experience. Rather than just retelling the existing story, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad intends to fill in the blanks between the major events of the series. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer, he seems confident the original story beats will keep everyone engaged.

The second reason for the IP choice? 'Realistic action.' They’ve poured a lot of effort into the weight of combat—you know, the tactile feedback of a blade hitting its mark or the satisfaction of a well-timed parry. Crucially, they’ve ditched auto-combat entirely in favour of 'full manual control.' With a two-weapon swapping system and special skills, the goal is to make you feel like you’re truly conquering your foes.

They unveiled the three classes, too. First, the Mercenary—inspired by the likes of Tormund and Gregor Clegane—is your heavy hitter. Then there’s the Knight, modelled after the Kingsguard, who dances between two-handed swordplay and dual-wielding. Finally, the Assassin, clearly channelling Arya Stark, offers the fastest, most agile combat style of the trio.

Multiplayer is the beating heart of the experience.

The PvE multiplayer offerings sound intense. There’s 'Altar of Memory' for four players fighting mythical creatures, the two-player 'Elite’s Hideout' for raiding enemy camps, and the raid-style 'Altar of the Abyss.' They’ve included an MVP system to stir up some friendly competition, and given the emphasis on coordinated team play, don't expect these to be a walk in the park.

If multiplayer isn't your cup of tea, there’s plenty to do in Westeros at your own pace. The world is packed with puzzle-solving via historical tablets, hunting ferocious wildlife, and roguelike expeditions that take you beyond the Wall.

Lastly, they’ve woven the concept of 'House' into the core gameplay. Every player gets their own estate, 'Renansrest,' where you’ll manage workers, trade with other regions, and handle other house-related affairs.

Focusing on monthly subscriptions and Battle Passes; no toxic monetization here.

As for the dreaded monetization, the team was quick to reassure us. The main revenue streams will be monthly subscriptions and Battle Passes, mostly focused on cosmetics like outfits and mounts. They claim the subscriptions will offer convenience features and minor currency, while the Battle Pass is strictly for efficient resource gathering.

They’ve also listened to feedback from the North American early access phase and removed the ability to buy gear directly with currency. For the Asian launch, artifacts and accessories will be strictly earned through gameplay or traded between players via the marketplace.

Release date set for May 21st, with PC access starting from the 14th.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad launches on May 21st. Before that, there’s a nickname reservation event on May 8th—worth doing if you want to claim a unique name. Furthermore, PC players on Steam and Epic Games Store get a head start on May 14th.

The roadmap teased the first update, which will bring the 'Stormlands' region and the 'Altar of the Abyss' raid. You can catch the full showcase on the official Game of Thrones: Kingsroad channel.