Netmarble’s action RPG 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad', which launched on PC on the 14th, is overhauling its monetization model. The developer is shifting its paid EXP packs to free-to-access and introducing a new discounted bundle for its two monthly subscription services.

Jang Hyun-il, PD at Netmarble Neo, took to the official Steam page for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad on the 17th to outline the upcoming roadmap. The focus is on the economy. From May 21st, EXP packs will be entirely free, and the studio has pledged to avoid selling similar items in the future. Anyone who purchased these packs before the cut-off date will receive a full refund, and the packs will be available to all at no cost starting with the update on the 21st.

Jang admitted that the previous design was flawed. "The structure that led players to pay for EXP packs on top of a Battle Pass inevitably felt like double dipping. We realized that simply adjusting the price wasn't going to cut it, and we needed to take full responsibility," he explained.

Additionally, a new bundle featuring the Convenience Support (12,000 KRW) and Combat Support (22,000 KRW) items is arriving. It is priced at 25,000 KRW—a 25% discount. For those who purchased both items before June 10th, the studio is extending the expiry of each by seven days. The Battle Pass is also getting a facelift, with eased progression requirements and easier core missions to ensure you can claim rewards with less of a grind.

There are more improvements in store. From May 21st, your base inventory space is getting a boost—10 slots each for general items, equipment, and materials, adding a total of 30 extra slots. They are also tweaking the reward system for the Maester’s Archive to reduce inventory stress. Plus, storage NPCs are being added to every major city, with a 'junk sell' feature on the horizon to make inventory management easier.

The grind for 'Forging Iron', a key growth resource, is also being addressed. To keep the in-game economy stable, the team is opting for a two-pronged approach: immediate help via special rewards and events, followed by a mid-term plan to expand acquisition sources and quantities. More details on this will be revealed later.

Running out of RP (Action Points) should also be less of a headache. Starting May 21st, daily mission rewards will include 'Summer Fragrance', a material used to craft 'Summer Cordial' (which restores 30 RP). These will also be available in the Alliance Token shop, and the crafting interface in the Estate Management workshop is being reorganized to make brewing these potions easier. Long-term, they are looking into more ways to earn RP through gameplay.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is an open-world action RPG developed by Netmarble Neo and published by Netmarble. It aims to immerse players in the world of Westeros, set specifically during the events of Season 4 of HBO's Emmy and Golden Globe-winning 'Game of Thrones' series. While the game has received praise for its combat and mechanics since its launch on the 14th—maintaining a 'Mostly Positive' (71% positive) rating on Steam—criticism regarding its heavy-handed monetization was also raised.