HBO’sGame of ThronesadaptsGeorge R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy books, butthose familiar with the series may be wondering why the show isn’t calledA Song of Ice and Fire.After all, that’s the name of Martin’s book series;A Game of Thronesis simply the first installment. The decision to name an adaptation of the entire series after the first book might seem perplexing at first glance. However, it does make sense when you consider the goal of the TV adaptation — and the themes that it leans into.
WithGame of Thronesmaking so many changesto the books, it’s fitting that the HBO series is its own entity with a different name. The title helps set it apart from the books it’s based on, even though it tells a similar story. Martin himself recognizes this as a benefit of the differing titles. However, Martin isn’t the one who made the decision about what to call the show.That was HBO’s call, and there was likely a more strategic reasoning behind it.
Game Of Thrones Is Better For A TV Show Title
George R.R. Martin Shared The Thinking Behind HBO’s Decision
During an appearance on theBANGCASTpodcast, Martin explained that HBO made the choice to call its adaptationGame of Thronesinstead ofA Song of Ice and Fire. He guessed that the network did “some kind of internal testing,” noting “how iconic that phrase has become.” He went on to explain, “Game of…something. I see it everywhere.” And it’s possible HBO did factor the catchiness of the title into its decision-making.A Song of Ice and Firedoesn’t roll off the tongue quite so smoothly, which could make it more difficult to remember.
For a network trying to recreate the success of prestige shows likeThe Sopranos,Game of Throneshas a greater appeal.
Additionally, HBO likely wanted to appeal to both fans of Martin’s books and audiences less familiar with the fantasy genre.A Song of Ice and Firesounds like a fantasy story, which could prevent newcomers from giving it a try. For a network trying to recreate the success of prestige shows likeThe Sopranos,Game of Throneshas a greater appeal. It sounds less intimidating and conjures a clear image of a show full of drama and power struggles.
As Martin notes during the interview, it also has the benefit of drawing a clear line between the books and the TV series. “Something occurs in Game of Thrones, but it’s not necessarily going to happen in A Song of Ice and Fire,” the author explained, “and vice versa.“This distinction could explain some of the larger changes the HBO series makesto the source material as well, as it seems the show’s creators wanted to place a bigger focus on the titular game.
Game Of Thrones' Title Change Explains The Biggest Differences To The Books
Game of Thrones’title change also explains the biggest difference between the HBO show and Martin’s books. Although the fight for the Iron Throne is at the center of both stories,A Song of Ice and Fireemphasizes the Others as the greatest threat. The characters are too blinded by their power struggle to see this, but that’s the point of Martin’s story. By contrast,Game of Thronesfocuses on the war for the throne over its White Walker narrative. It makes the Iron Throne the point of its ending, and its marketing centers on who will end up on it.
It’s So Disappointing That HBO Keeps Repeating The Same Game Of Thrones Spinoff Mistake
It’s no surprise that HBO is expanding its Game of Thrones franchise, but the network keeps making the same mistake when it comes to its TV shows.
AlthoughGame of Thronesfeatures dragons, White Walkers, and the Three-Eyed Raven subplot,it also tones down a lot of the magical elements of Martin’s world. It leans much more heavily into the political intrigue, which makes its altered title more fitting.A Song of Ice and Firerefers to the prophecy and to the threat north of the Wall. However,Game of Thronesis a nod to all the scheming and political maneuvering that occurs throughout the story.
Game Of Thrones
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Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
