All right now. George RR Martin and his involvement in the newly released Elden Ring game is no secret to the fans. The game was released in February 2022, and the fans are thrilled about it. The first impressions from the fans are positive, and you can purchase Elden Ring here at IndieGala as well.
But that’s not all. We have plenty of other Hidetaka Miyazaki games on hand too. Most notably the Dark Souls series. And yes. It’s available here at IndieGala too. But if you’re particularly interested in the Filmaholic Gamer Review of the two separate games then you should head out here. I did suffer through Dark Souls and Dark Souls III quite a bit, and yes. You can read all about my struggles here as well. You’re welcome.
And yes. My dear colleague already tackled Elden Ring as well but from a different (albeit gaming) perspective. You can read his great article here. Again… You’re most welcome.
But I’m here about one very specific game. And one very fascinating author. I’ll get to Mr. Martin in a minute, but I think a word or two about the game is in order.
George RR Martin And Elden Ring: What’s The Game All About?
Developed by From Software and published by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Elden Ring is a cool open-world action role-playing game. And a game that the entire gaming community awaits. Furthermore, it’s a game that’s considered a spiritual successor to FromSoftware‘s Dark Souls franchise. And a game that’s been made in collaboration with game director Hidetaka Miyazaki and fantasy novelist George R. R. Martin. Now, Elden Ring takes place in the realm of the Lands Between. Sometime after the destruction of the titular Elden Ring and the scattering of its shards, the Great Runes. As a Tarnished—exiles from the Lands Between who lost the Ring’s grace. Summoned back after the Shattering, players must traverse the realm. To ultimately find all the Great Runes. Next to restore the Elden Ring, and become the Elden Lord.
As we mentioned, both Elden Ring (here) and the games Deluxe Edition (here) are available for purchase here at IndieGala. They have a nice launch discount on the regular price and you should get a copy now.
His Involvement In Elden Ring Is… Different?
Yes. Yes, it is. While George R.R. Martin contributed greatly to the world and characters of Elden Ring, the Game of Thrones author didn’t actually write in-game text. Indeed. The in-game text for Elden Ring was led and often written by director Hidetaka Miyazaki himself. Furthermore, FromSoftware previously explained that Martin was just brought in early in the development of the game.
To help shape the big-picture elements of Elden Ring. Such as the history and themes of its world. As well as the people within it. Not to mention Martin already published a blog post on his personal blog about the game itself. Titled Long Long Ago…, the blog post clocks in at two whole paragraphs, the post can be read in its entirety on Martin’s blog and it’s actually quite good. But the question remains…
What Has The Author Created Until Elden Ring?
What has George RR Martin created so far, when it comes to video games, movies, TV and literature? Well, he’s best known for the series of epic fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire. Which were later adapted to the iconic TV show Game Of Thrones. But when it comes to his beginnings, Martin began selling science fiction short stories professionally in 1970. At age 21. His first sale was “The Hero“, which was sold to Galaxy magazine and published in its February 1971 issue. And he was a struggling author for most of his career. That is until the 90’s when he began the first volume of the series, A Game of Thrones.
That was in 1991, while the book was published in 1996. He’s got novellas, short stories and young adult fiction under his belt. But that’s not all He expanded his work in other mediums, and I’m here about them. His work goes beyond literature. He wrote the 1987 horror/science fiction movie Nightflyers (based on one of his novellas) and he’s also responsible for the writing of The Hitchhiker. The anthology series from the early ’80s. But he wrote scripts for some iconic TV shows too. The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, The Outer Limits and yes. Game Of Thrones. He’s responsible for the script on 4 separate episodes of Game Of Thrones.
What’s Next For George RR Martin?
Well, plenty of things actually.
But if you’re interested to know about his 2022 projects (that are not Elden Ring)… Then you’re in luck. He’s got 2 new TV shows in 2022. Not just a cool video game. The psychological thriller TV show Dark Winds. And of course, House of the Dragon. The prequel TV series to Game Of Thrones which will chronicle the beginning of the end of House Targaryen. And although there’s no set date for the premiere, we do know that there are 10 episodes in the first season. Not to mention the cast is incredible. Paddy Considine, Eve Best, Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans and Graham McTavish. Britain’s finest don’t you think?
And What About His Influences?
What are the recurring themes in his works? What is he passionate about? Well, George is a complex man. He’s also a pacifist and humanitarian that advocates for peace and helps refugees from active war zones. But when it comes to his writing, Martin’s work has been described as having “complex storylines, fascinating characters, great dialogue, perfect pacing”. And even his first novel, Dying of the Light, set the tone for some of his future work. First and foremost, it unfolds on a mostly abandoned planet that is slowly becoming uninhabitable.
As it moves away from its sun. This story has a strong sense of melancholy, and the characters are often unhappy. Or at the very least unsatisfied. But that’s so awesome about his work. This level of “realness” and “completeness” is rooted in the human’s reality. Including many characters’ imperfections, and characters that are with moral and ethical ambiguity. Furthermore, Martin’s characters are multifaceted, each with intricate pasts, aspirations, and ambitions. And yes. His work makes a sharp departure from the prevalent “heroic knights and chivalry” schema. Which was the dominant trope in science fiction for so long. And last but certainly not least, his work relies heavily on a foundation of historical fiction. The hierarchical class system of feudal societies can be found in his works. And so can internal conflicts that define the human condition.
But the question remains….
Are You Hyped About George RR Martin’s Elden Ring?
We sure are at IndieGala. George RR Martin is always a great topic here. But how about you? Let us know about your experience regarding Elden Ring. What are your thoughts and expectations for future projects? And have you disvoered the Grafted Blade Greatsword yet? Hit that comment section and let us know.
