The press coverage for Game of Thrones in the UK continues to ramp up. Hot on the heels of the show being featured in SFX, now comes multiple articles on Thrones in SciFiNow magazine. Adam Whitehead of The Wertzone has the full run-down (the bulk of which can be found after the break):
More coverage in the UK’s second-biggest SFF magazine, SciFiNow.
The new issue, #51, has two articles on the series. The first is headlining the news section and again features some of the same, traditional responses the writers and actors have been giving out in other interviews. A few different things though (and there’s a lot more in the magazine: this is a bigger article than the SFX one):
Bean on GoT versus Lord of the Rings: “It was a trilogy of films, it was a while ago, and it dealt with different issues. I think this is different, this is a kind of edgier piece in the sense that there is more brutality, more incest, more betrayal and sex. So it’s very edgy.”
Weiss on having a huge budget: “It has to be, just because of the nature of what we are doing. The castles and the costumes all have to be designed from scratch and there’s a huge visual effects element, and horses and fighting. Those are things that take time and cost money. You don’t normally see that on television.”
Benioff on downplaying the use of CGI: “We didn’t want to showcase what a computer can design, we want to showcase what our actual carpenters have built. There are exceptions: we can’t build an 800-foot wall of ice, so that has to be CGI, but with only a few exceptions, that’s what we did and the sets were gorgeous.”
Bean on his character: “All the characters that George has written are very complex, so you are not struggling to find things to add to the character because they are already there in the book. I think a lot of the stuff you get offered these days, the characters tend to be very one-dimensional.”
Benioff on Bean: “Sean has that ability that when you turn the character on him, you can hold it on him in close-up for 45 seconds for that dialogue, and you wouldn’t be bored because there’s so much going on there.”
Martin on fan reactions to the books: “One of the things I am proudest of about these books is that the characters I have created are very grey, so I see very different reactions to them which is great: people debating whether they like Daenerys or they don’t like Daenerys: is she a good person, is she a bad person? I don’t know, you judge that. That’s the way we debate about real people: no-one ever questions whether Sauron was misunderstood.”
The article writer: “There are currently four books in the series, with a fifth one due for release next year, and two more in the pipeline.” I wouldn’t read too much in that though.
There’s also a mini-article following on from the main one which makes an important claim: that Game of Thrones is hugely important to the future of genre television. The writer points out that in a few years we’ve gone from the glory years of Lost being hugely successful, BSG getting massive acclaim and “Heroes wasn’t completely appalling,” to almost nothing (the failures of FlashForward and StarGate Universe are mentioned, the rocky performance of V and Fringe is alluded to). “The truth is the success of Game of Thrones is extremely important to the future of genre television – far more important than the success of True Blood or The Walking Dead.” The writer points out those two shows are surfing the zeitgeist of vampires and zombies, whilst epic fantasy on television does not exist. If Thrones is a success, it will open the possibility of other fantasy properties making it to the big or small screen.
“The modern TV audience, one well-versed in high-end TV drama like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire, have never seen mature fantasy like Game of Thrones before.”
But that’s not all! There’s also a smaller article in the book section speculating on how Thrones will affect the book sales, drawing on data showing the massive boost in sales that the book of Boardwalk Empire and the complete graphic novel collection of The Walking Dead received after their TV series debuted. Their conclusion is that the books should do very well indeed, helped by the Voyager TV tie-in edition due for launch on 31 March (ten days later than previously announced; either they got it wrong or Voyager has changed the date).
Finally, that’s only what was in this issue. The Next Month page reveals that the next issue, on sale 16 March, will feature much bigger interviews and features with the cast and crew of ‘the TV event of the year’.
So, er, SciFiNow > SFX when it comes to coverage, by quite a wide margin.
Winter Is Coming: Good to see the show continuing to attract the press’ attention. I expect we will start seeing some prominent feature stories on the show in the US very soon. I know that both Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide Magazine are slated to run something eventually. I’m guessing next month we will see a barrage of these types of magazine articles.
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47 Comments
I’m actually surprised the posters and billboards haven’t gone up yet for the show. I suppose there’s a media blitz plan of some sort, but they’ve got to be getting close to the start date for that campaign. Maybe it’s going to be a 2-month thing? If so, it’s gonna have to start in the next couple of days – perhaps in the next week or two.
BrudeQuote Reply
Some people buy new TVs for the super bowl…my wife and I just bought a big new TV in anticipation of GOT haha. Should be getting here next week; I can’t wait! Hopefully there will be some more promotion over the next 2 months…I have been telling as many people as I can (via word of mouth and facebook) lately.
JamieQuote Reply
Well today is day 60, so i hope the roll stuff out soon. If you search Google News for Game of Thrones for the past week, there are NO hits. Is that supposed to be buzz?
MarkQuote Reply
I’m looking forward to some new photos for the upcoming magazine articles! Come on, SciFiNow! XD
There are still a ton of characters and locales that we haven’t see and which I can’t wait for.
Steve Hugh WestenraQuote Reply
I’ve heard rumblings of a broad marketing campaign starting very soon. Keep checking back as we find out more.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
This is what I’ve been looking forward to. I am interested in gauging the reactions of folks who’ve had no exposure to the source.
digtastikQuote Reply
I wanna see trailers, clips, billboards, t-shirts, seasonal-themed coffee mugs (Gregor with a Santa hat?) and Westeros themepark plans :P
reedgirlQuote Reply
SciFiNow is pretty rubbish. Bring back Deathray!!!!
deep_seaQuote Reply
Well, not news about the series, but the PC Game.
http://feedthegamer.info/2011-02-16/cyanide-releases-first-shots-from-a-game-of-thrones-genesis/
I like the dragon…
Rinoa De la PicaQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
Do you know or can you maybe even give us a bit more? For those words of yours feel really “inside-ish” and we breath through info like that. When? Who? What? Where?
Thanks, love you.
rorschach-Quote Reply
I read SciFiNow when it first started and it was rubbish, compared to either SFX or DeathRay. DeathRay has sadly fallen by the wayside, but the modern SciFiNow is a massive improvement over the old. Much more opinionated pieces (including a great one on why they suspect THE AVENGERS movie is biting off more than it can possibly chew), a huge book section and less regurgitating of press releases and a lazy reliance on constant DOCTOR WHO coverage than SFX has done recently.
SFX’s coverage of the series has been woeful at best. At this point before THE WAKING DEAD was going to air, they had a cover piece, a huge article and so on. Maybe they’ll be hitting us with that next month, but so far SciFiNow seems to be leading the charge, which I really wouldn’t have expected even a year or so ago.
Adam WhiteheadQuote Reply
Rinoa De la Pica,
meh, looks like total war lite. There is a much better looking fan-made total war mod.
MarkQuote Reply
rorschach-,
Unfortunately I don’t know any more details. But it sounds like it might be something big, something akin to True Blood‘s marketing campaign. The only timetable I was given is that it is supposed to start “soon.”
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
Jamie,
ME TOO! got a 55″ LED screen…so I am beyond excited.
mike careyQuote Reply
Only one out of four gets out alive! :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Soon works for me, thanks WIC! As long as soon means, in the next week. :-)
NicoleQuote Reply
Mark,
Yeah, mate. Nothing spectacular from those 2 pics. I guess it’s going to be another typical PC strategy game. I expected a bit more :(
This! A Westeros theme park would be TOO awesome lol. I would be looking forward to send there my CV. Man, I’d love to work there as… er… Ok, at Chataya’s won’t be that bad! haha
Rinoa De la PicaQuote Reply
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/a-game-of-thrones-genesis/1150434p1.html
purplejillyQuote Reply
This Game of Thrones computer game looks like crap run-of-the-mill RTS. It looks like the tradition of tie-in games being gunk will be continued.
PremRackQuote Reply
Rinoa De la Pica,
They say it’s based on the first book, and have a screeshot of a full-grown dragon ruining some shit with black and purple gunk from its mouth.
I’m guessing they got a description of the book that went something like “Knights and swords and stuff. Also dragons.”
Also the graphics look shitty.
GaRQuote Reply
GaR,
If you read the press release it states that you can play at different times throughout the 1,000 year history of Westeros. It gives examples such as Aegon the Conqueror’s invasion and the War of the Usurper. No where does it say it is confined to the events of AGOT. GRRM assisted in writing the single-player storyline and Elio and Linda consulted on aspects of Westerosi history. So I think the game lore will be solid and in line with the books.
But I agree with you on the graphics. They look very generic.
Winter Is ComingQuote Reply
A Game of Thrones: Genesis is set over the course of the 1,000 years that led to the formation of the Kingdom of Westeros — the setting for the books. As such, players will take part in the largest battles only alluded to in the novels, including Aegon the Conqueror’s invasion and the War of the Usurper.
I dunno, might be reasonably pleasant. Does look pretty run-of-the-mill in terms of gamplay, though.
ElaineQuote Reply
Didn’t Balarion have “black” fire or something? Perhaps that’s the purple gunk.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Rinoa De la Pica,
this is more like it!
MarkQuote Reply
Mark,
WTF where is my link?
Link
MarkQuote Reply
The game graphically doesn’t great but if it’s solid gameplay it could be worth a play through. I just hope they don’t throw the typical $60 usd price on it for mid level rts graphics.
Looking forward to a hopeful leak of the screener. :)
BurgosQuote Reply
Er…what qualifications do you have on your CV that would be usefull at Chataya’s?? :-) I personally would love to impersonate Tyrion or Petyr, they’re simply the most fun, but I’m afraid I’m a bit too tall for either part…
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
Sigh.
He just wanted to end all injustice and discrimination against Orcs and the Southern people by the Elves and their allies.
Sauron gets an unfair bad rep.
MorlunQuote Reply
“I like these calm little moments before the storm.”
Which reminds me, have we done a Roose Bolton casting thread yet, cuz Gary Oldman would be my (pipe)Dream pick.
the goatQuote Reply
Looking forward to being deeply submerged in GOT marketing! Excited to see the reactions of the unknowing public. Can’t believe I am more excited for GOT than opening day at Fenway!
Derek SharpQuote Reply
Rinoa De la Pica,
The Westeros themepark foodcourt would serve stuff like Melissandre’s potroast and ‘Riverrun soup’. You can get your picture taken on Baelor’s steps with Sir Ilyn ‘pretending’ to give you the axe..
Sorry, I’m a sick girl.
reedgirlQuote Reply
And delicious Dothraki horse heart.
Also, Dragon rides! Scale the Wall! Battle of the Blackwater Boat Ride!
Lamest ride: The Siege of Riverrun. All you do is sit there, and every so often they trot out a mechanical Edmure, and threaten to hang him. They never do.
the goatQuote Reply
the goat,
And a permanent construction site with a big placard in front of it: “Dance with Dragons: Coming Soon!”
It never does.
David MooreQuote Reply
PremRack,
Like any RTS what matters most is whether the gameplay is fun. I personally thought that Battle For Middle Earth (the LotR tie-in RTS) was quite well designed, and quite fun (not super deep gameplay, but pretty good).
userjQuote Reply
Winter Is Coming,
On their website it specifically says it’s based on the first book.
GaRQuote Reply
the goat,
David Moore,
ba ha ha ha! We’re all a little ‘unwell’ in these waiting days…
reedgirlQuote Reply
reedgirl,
Surely Roast Goat would be on the menu?
Steve ReynoldsQuote Reply
reedgirl,
the goat,
Best theme park ever. I actually can see its success. hahah
Riverrun soap is the famous “weasel soup- caution, hot beverage “?
Rinoa De la PicaQuote Reply
Every fantasy theme park of course needs its castle, and for Westeros that HAS to be the Eyrie. The guests enter it on a hellish rollercoaster ride that leads along Stone, Snow and Sky, and the only way to leave should be via a bungee jump from the Moon Door!
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
_Next year_?????
What the heck??? 8-O
FelagundQuote Reply
I can only hope that the article was actually written last year… :?
FelagundQuote Reply
(aka reedgirl) I’m having dreams now of this wickedly sick-in-the-head themepark.
Steve Reynolds,
OF COURSE there is Roast Goat! But don’t take your chances on the ‘Other’ Freezies.
Tar Kidho,
I’d like to see the bungee jump include a rogue element. Perhaps a mad, chunky woman sometimes runs in screaming and cuts the rope, or threatens to breastfeed you, etc… (all services priced accordingly ;)
Franny BeeQuote Reply
Actually, my first idea with the bungee jump was to fix the elastics without visitors realizing it, and then push them out. Imagine the beautiful screams of deadly fear! And if the pushing-out is done by some mad woman, it can only add to the volume :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply
EEP!
the goatQuote Reply
guys…
You’re really sick.
I love it xDD
Jéssica de F. MacielQuote Reply
I could just see the unsuspecting theme park patrons getting pushed out and needing a new pair of pants! :D
Wouldn’t getting put in a “cell” before getting pushed out of the moon door be more fun? :D Just think of the fun Tyrion had in it!
BurgosQuote Reply
Ok, but not for much longer than one day and one night, and there better be some safety nets in place or we know what happens :-)
Tar KidhoQuote Reply