View source for Software:Reigns: Game of Thrones

{{Short description|2018 strategy video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Reigns: Game of Thrones
| image = Reigns Game of Thrones cover.jpg
| developer = Nerial
| publisher = [[Company:Devolver Digital|Devolver Digital]]
| engine = [[Software:Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[Software:IOS|iOS]]|[[Software:Linux|Linux]]|[[Software:MacOS|macOS]]|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]|[[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows'''|18 October 2018|'''Nintendo Switch'''|11 April 2019}}
| genre = Strategy
| modes = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| designer = François Alliot
| programmer = François Alliot
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Arnaud De Bock|Irene Navarro}}
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|François Alliot|Tamara Alliot|Leigh Alexander}}
| composer = Ryan Ike
}}

'''''Reigns: Game of Thrones''''' is a 2018 [[Software:Strategy video game|strategy game]] developed by Nerial and published by [[Company:Devolver Digital|Devolver Digital]]. The third instalment in and a [[Engineering:Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] from the ''[[Software:Reigns (video game)|Reigns]]'' series, it is based on the television series ''Game of Thrones''. ''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' was released in October 2018 for [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Software:IOS|iOS]], [[Software:Linux|Linux]], [[Software:MacOS|macOS]], and [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]]. A version for [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]] was released in April 2019.

== Gameplay ==
''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' plays similarly to its predecessors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/23/reigns-game-of-thrones-announced |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones Announced |first=Colin |last=Stevens |date=23 August 2018 |website=IGN}}</ref> Described as a "swipe 'em up", the game allows the player to be one of the principals from the ''Game of Thrones'' universe, including Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Sansa Stark.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-game-of-thrones-mobile-title-lets-you-explore-/1100-6461346/ |title=New Game Of Thrones Mobile Title Lets You Explore Alternate Futures With The Series' Characters |first=Jordan |last=Ramée |date=27 August 2018 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> In the game, the player is continually presented with questions regarding the ruling of their kingdom, where each has a binary choice: swipe left to accept or right to decline the proposal in question.<ref name="engadget">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/08/23/reigns-game-of-thrones-review/ |title='Reigns' gets a 'Game of Thrones' spin-off |first=David |last=Lumb |date=23 August 2018 |website=[[Software:Engadget|Engadget]]}}</ref> Every choice can have an impact on four factors: military strength, religious favour, domestic popularity, and state wealth.<ref name="engadget" /> Each card indicates which factors would be affected by either decision, but not how strongly or whether the effect would be positive or negative.<ref name="engadget" /> If either factor rises to its maximum or falls to its minimum, the player's character dies and is succeeded by another character.<ref name="engadget" /> The player begins the game as Daenerys Targaryen and progressively unlocks other characters throughout the gameplay.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/replay-game-news-reigns/ |title='Reigns' Is Heading to Westeros, and the Rest of the Week in Games |first=Julie |last=Muncy |date=24 August 2018 |magazine=Wired}}</ref> With each character, the player encounters different challenges based on that character's story arc.<ref name="pcgamer">{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reigns-game-of-thrones-brings-swipe-to-rule-to-westeros/ |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones brings 'swipe-to-rule' to Westeros |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=23 August 2018 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> The game also includes [[Software:Minigame|minigame]]s, such as jousting and tavern brawling.<ref name="pcgamer"/>

== Development ==
Before he created ''Reigns: Game of Thrones'', François Alliot, the founder of [[Software:Video game developer|video game developer]] Nerial, had been a fan of ''Game of Thrones'' since he read the original books by George R. R. Martin, and had also enjoyed the eponymous TV series.<ref name="alliot">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-08-23-nerial-founder-couldnt-be-happier-as-reigns-gets-game-of-thrones-spin-off |title=Nerial founder "couldn't be happier" as Reigns gets Game Of Thrones spin-off |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=23 August 2018 |website=GamesIndustry.biz}}</ref> When he pitched the original ''[[Software:Reigns (video game)|Reigns]]'' to publisher [[Company:Devolver Digital|Devolver Digital]], Alliot described the game as "[[Software:Tinder (app)|Tinder]] meets ''Game of Thrones''"; Devolver Digital later passed this idea on to HBO, the company behind the ''Game of Thrones'' TV series, to agree on a licensing deal.<ref name="alliot" />

The writing behind ''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' was primarily done by Alliot and his wife, Tamara.<ref name="alliot" /> Leigh Alexander, previously the writer of predecessor ''[[Software:Reigns: Her Majesty|Reigns]]'', provided the writing for the character Cersei Lannister.<ref name="alliot" /> All writing was worked out in association with HBO to ensure that it stayed true to the original material.<ref name="alliot" /> Due to the element of choice, the player is able to alter the outcome of events that are canon in the ''Game of Thrones'' TV series.<ref name="rps">{{cite web |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/08/23/reigns-game-of-thrones-announced/ |title=Reigns really becomes Game Of Thrones in new official game |first=Alice |last=O'Connor |date=23 August 2018 |website=Rock, Paper, Shotgun}}</ref> To cope with the issue, the game's lore states that all events were visions of the character Melisandre, through which the game creates a "what if?" scenario.<ref name="rps" />

=== Release ===
''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' was revealed by publisher Devolver Digital on 23 August 2018, through a [[Finance:Trailer (promotion)|trailer]] published on [[Company:YouTube|YouTube]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/8/23/17772784/reigns-game-of-thrones-ios-android-release-date-trailer |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones lets you swipe right to sit on the Iron Throne |first=Ross |last=Miller |date=23 August 2018 |website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://time.com/5376414/reigns-game-of-thrones-video-game/ |title=Ascend the Iron Throne in New Game of Thrones Video Game |first=Megan |last=McCluskey |date=23 August 2018 |magazine={{wipe|Time (magazine)}}}}</ref> Coinciding with the reveal, Devolver Digital announced that game would be released on 18 October that year, for [[Software:Android (operating system)|Android]] via [[Software:Google Play|Google Play]], for [[Software:IOS|iOS]] via the [[Software:App Store (iOS)|App Store]], and for [[Engineering:Personal computer|personal computer]]s ([[Software:Linux|Linux]], [[Software:MacOS|macOS]] and [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bluesnews.com/s/192928/reigns-game-of-thrones-announced |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones Announced |date=23 August 2018 |website=Blue's News}}</ref> via [[Software:Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2018/08/24/reigns-game-of-thrones-is-coming-to-pc-mobile-this-year/310235/ |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones is Coming to PC, Mobile This Year |first=Adnan |last=Riaz |date=24 August 2018 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}</ref> Pre-orders on all three distribution services were launched alongside the announcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/winter-is-coming-so-get-swiping-with-reigns-game-of-thrones-edition |title=Winter is coming, so get swiping with Reigns: Game of Thrones edition |first=Gerald |last=Lynch |date=23 August 2018 |website=[[TechRadar]]}}</ref> The game was released across all targeted platforms on the intended date.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/oct/18/reigns-game-of-thrones-review-devolver-digital-nerial |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones review – death, disaster and dark magic on your phone |first=Keza |last=MacDonald |date=18 October 2018 |website={{wipe|The Guardian}} |access-date=18 October 2018}}</ref> A version of ''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' for [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]] was released on 11 April 2019 via the Nintendo eShop.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/04/a_tinder-like_game_of_thrones_game_is_launching_on_switch_next_week |title=A Tinder-Like Game Of Thrones Game Is Launching On Switch Next Week |first=Ryan |last=Craddock |date=5 April 2019 |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Critical response ===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = iOS: 84/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/reigns-game-of-thrones/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad |title=Reigns: Game Of Thrones for iPhone/iPad Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=20 May 2019}}</ref><br />NS: 74/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/reigns-game-of-thrones/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Reigns: Game Of Thrones for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref>
| NLife = NS: {{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reseigh-Lincoln |first1=Dom |title=Review: Reigns: Game Of Thrones - An Unpredictably Gripping Take On An Epic Series |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/reigns_game_of_thrones |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Nintendo Life |date=12 April 2019}}</ref>
| Destruct = 7.5/10<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andriessen |first1=CJ |title=Review: Reigns: Game of Thrones |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-reigns-game-of-thrones/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Destructoid |language=en-CA}}</ref>
| NWR = NS: 8/10<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ronaghan |first1=Neal |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones Review - Review |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/50250/reigns-game-of-thrones-switch-review |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Nintendo World Report}}</ref>
| TG = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Keza |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones review – death, disaster and dark magic on your phone |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/oct/18/reigns-game-of-thrones-review-devolver-digital-nerial |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=the Guardian |date=18 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pereira |first1=Chris |title=Reigns: Game Of Thrones Review: A Westerosi Romp |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/reigns-game-of-thrones-review-a-westerosi-romp/1900-6417013/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=GameSpot}}</ref>
}}

''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' received "generally favourable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.<ref name="MC" />

''Pocket Gamer'' praised how the game used information as the main means of progression "Secrets you discover at one edge of your nascent empire might well change the way you act with people at the other. The game is littered with tiny 'eureka' moments that push the plot along and drive you towards new goals".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reigns: Game of Thrones featured review - "Does it take the Iron Throne or lose its head?" |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/reigns-game-of-thrones/reigns-game-of-thrones-featured-review-does-it-take-the-iron-throne-or-lose-its-/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=www.pocketgamer.com |date=18 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> ''{{wipe|The Guardian}}'' liked how ''Reigns'' adapted the series' political drama, "Appropriately for a game based on Game of Thrones, death is swift and frequent, and quickly forgotten... It’s quick-fire diplomacy, enlivened by random disasters and constant fleeting cameos from series’ gigantic cast". ''GameSpot'' enjoyed the writing, "Despite each card consisting of a few sentences at most, characters are colorful, distinct, and full of personality. And although the subject matter is often serious, and the world brutal, the game manages to maintain an air of lightheartedness throughout". While liking the mini-games, ''[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]]'' criticized the game for being too repetitive, "most decisions you have to make repeat with each of the different rulers... Not only does this level of repetition feel punishing when playing for long periods of time, but it also restricts the game from establishing a stronger, more cohesive narrative". ''Nintendo Life'' felt the game created an authentic ''Game of Thrones'' experience, "Reigns: Game of Thrones is about as close as you’ll come to living the day-to-day life of a Westeros monarch, short of visiting the Seven Kingdoms for real".

=== Accolades ===
''Reigns: Game of Thrones'' was nominated for "Best Mobile Game" at both The Game Awards 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time |title=The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2 |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=13 November 2018 |website=Polygon |access-date=16 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018 |title=The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners |first=Christopher |last=Grant |date=6 December 2018 |website=Polygon |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> and the Game Developers Choice Awards,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/4/18168931/gdc-choice-awards-2019-nominees-red-dead-redemption-2-spider-man-god-of-war-celeste |title=Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees |first=Owen S. |last=Good |date=4 January 2019 |website=Polygon |access-date=8 January 2019}}</ref> and for "Mobile Game" at the 15th British Academy Games Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/ |title='God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations |first=Stefanie |last=Fogel |date=14 March 2019 |website=Variety |access-date=15 March 2019}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

{{ASOIAF}}

[[Category:Android (operating system) games]]
[[Category:IOS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video games based on adaptations]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Reigns: Game of Thrones}}