ABSTRACT
Chapter 19 takes a detailed look into the hit HBO series Game of Thrones |(GoT), a story immersed in fantasy and historical allusions, that broke boundaries and was unafraid to subvert storytelling clichés (no character was safe!). Alongside budgets & wages likened more to that of a blockbuster film, GoT was extremely profitable & was fully exploited through licensing, merchandising and tourism. Although various spin-offs have been announced, it is questioned whether, with the changing landscape & rise of streaming, the success of this series will ever be replicated? One key aspect of GoT is the extreme devotion amongst fans. We give oxygen to James K. Wight’s enlightening blog on the huge disappointment surrounding the final Season 8, where the creator/fan relationship was allegedly heavily mishandled. In a world where fans are increasingly active & view series-watching as an investment, there is a greater need for diversification and sensitivity for hugely valuable franchises to not just survive but grow beyond their core intellectual property (IP).
