PlaySide Is Preparing War for Westeros for Strategy Newcomers Coming From Game of Thrones
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Developer PlaySide is designing War for Westeros to be approachable for Game of Thrones fans who have never played an RTS, removing tedious micro-management in favor of streamlined mechanics.
Real-time strategy games are notoriously demanding, but developer PlaySide is anticipating a massive wave of players who have never touched the genre when War for Westeros launches next year. Speaking to IGN, game director Ryan McMahon explained that the studio is focusing heavily on approachability rather than watering down the core mechanics. Instead of relying on traditional high-level micro-management, the game introduces a streamlined system where resource buildings operate automatically once constructed, significantly cutting down the mental load for newcomers.
This design philosophy allows players to focus on tactical combat, positioning, and fielding iconic heroes rather than getting bogged down in repetitive worker maintenance. The single-player campaign serves as a gradual onboarding ramp, featuring a robust tutorial and AI tuned to give learners breathing room before they ever consider jumping into competitive multiplayer matches. Familiarity will also draw fans in, as the game features official likenesses of HBO favorites like Jon Snow, Arya Stark, and Gregor Clegane, complete with character-specific tactical kits.
While early playtests saw players gravitate purely toward household names, internal tournaments and balancing have shifted focus toward tactical utility. Commanders like Tywin Lannister and Robb Stark have proven dominant thanks to their map mobility and supportive aura buffs, proving that deep strategy still dictates the meta. For a franchise with a massive mainstream footprint, bridging the gap between hardcore RTS veterans and casual fans is a delicate balance, but PlaySide's design choices suggest a strategy title built to welcome everyone into the fray.
Tags: Strategy Games, Game of Thrones, PC Gaming, Game Development
Original article: IGN South Africa