HBO Go coming to Playstation 4; new Thrones mobile game announced

Yesterday, Sony announced HBO Go would be coming to PS4. Just in time for Season 5! The big catch–there’s no unbundling. This is the same app that we’ve been using the whole time, just now on PS4. You’ll need a cable subscription (or a friend’s) to subscribe.

The big question is if means that the “standalone” streaming app that was supposed to replace HBO Go is not going to be ready in time. Last fall, HBO first said they would be taking HBO Go solo, as a service that did not require you to subscribe to cable. Seen as part of the “great unbundling” this was a huge step for HBO, one they said they hoped to have ready by the premiere of Game of Thrones Season 5.

But along the way, they had some issues, and suddenly it would be that the streaming service would replace HBO Go. Apparently the bones of HBO Go couldn’t support a stand alone at this level (not surprising, considering how badly the service crashed when Season 4 debuted last year.) There was talk of building the new HBO service on the the same platform that the standalone streaming service that the WWE uses.

See the announcement, below, and check out some other video game-related news….

According to Sony:

The app functions just like the PS3 version. After you authenticate your PS4 with your current cable/satellite service through HBOGO.com/activate, you’ll be able to watch every episode of every season of HBO’s best shows, including True Detective, Silicon Valley and Game of Thrones. Speaking of Game of Thrones, with the Season 5 premiere airing on April 12th, you’ve got more than a month to get caught up on the first four amazing seasons.

For those getting HBO Go for the first time, a reminder you’ll need a secondary device (Mobile or PC) nearby, since there are access codes you’ll be sent and have to input.

Meanwhile, Game of Thrones had a bit more game-related news. Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment
announced yesterday that they’ll be releasing a slate of mobile game releases for 2015. According to Variety, Game of Thrones is included.

Here’s the overview:

• Game of Thrones (Turbine): Yet-untitled game will let you conquer Westeros in an epic combat strategy game. Users must prove the wit of their spies and the might of their forces on the battlefield across the Seven Kingdoms.

This “yet untitled” game will be released along with Mortal Kombat X, Batman: Arkham Underworld, Lego Batman: Beyond Gotham, and DC Comics Legends. There’s little other information, but Rowan, our resident game expert, notes that, unlike previous mobile game releases, Turbine is is a well-respected developer with an important history of massively multiplayer role-playing games like Acheron’s Call and Lord of the Rings Online–this is a major change from their typical style.

• Published on 03/04/2015 at 8:00 AM CDT
• Last updated on 10/21/2016 at 1:06 PM CDT