A Game of Thrones in July 2011. In the novel, recounting events from various points of view, Martin introduces the plot-lines of the noble houses of Westeros, the Wall, and the Targaryens. The novel has inspired several spin-off works, including several games. It is also the namesake and basis for the first season of "Game of Thrones", an HBO television series that premiered in April 2011. A March 2013 paperback TV tie-in re-edition was also titled "Game of Thrones", excluding the indefinite article "A". "A Game of Thrones" follows three principal storylines simultaneously. At the beginning of the story, Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark executes
Game of Thrones fictional languages have been heard by more people than the Welsh, Irish, and Scots Gaelic languages combined. "Game of Thrones" is funded by Northern Ireland Screen, a UK government agency financed by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund. , Northern Ireland Screen gave the series £9.25 million ($14.37 million); according to government estimates, this has benefited the Northern Ireland economy by £65 million ($100.95 million). Tourism Ireland has a "Game of Thrones"-themed marketing campaign similar to New Zealand's Tolkien-related advertising. Invest NI and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board also expect the series to generate tourism revenue. According to