"Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Now in Early Access on Steam"

When it comes to genre-defining works, few would argue that Game of Thrones has become the quintessential example of dark medieval fantasy for modern audiences. Since the conclusion of the HBO miniseries, the original setting of Westeros has remained largely untouched, except for the spin-off series, House of the Dragon.

But the wait is over, at least for gamers, as Netmarble's highly anticipated Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is set to launch in early access on March 26th. There's a small caveat, though: for now, it's exclusively available on Steam. This move is intriguing, given Netmarble's reputation as a mobile-focused company. Yet, if any game has the mass appeal to draw in players, it's Game of Thrones. Here's hoping a successful Steam early access campaign paves the way for a mobile release sooner rather than later.

Insert Jon Snow knowing nothing joke here

Netmarble's strategy to launch on Steam first, despite their mobile-centric background, is somewhat perplexing. It might serve as a stress test, as PC players tend to scrutinize games more intensely. However, this approach leaves mobile players, who have historically been more accepting, waiting on the sidelines. This tactic echoes similar moves by other companies with games like Once Human and Delta Force, which also prioritized PC over mobile.

Is there a shift towards PC-first strategies among traditionally mobile-focused companies? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, if you're eager to pass the time until Game of Thrones: Kingsroad arrives on mobile, why not check out some of the latest releases on our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week?