The Game of Thrones board game is now available on Steam. It is a digital adaptation of the board game of the same name, which has endured nearly 20 years of players. This digital port is by all accounts a very good one, with fully functional multiplayer and single-player. Multiplayer is the main attraction, but it takes time to play the full game, so find some trusted friends to backstab with. Note that this game is based on the "Game of Thrones" novels, not the HBO show. It was made before George R.R. Martin became famous in the mainstream.

Originally released in 2003 and updated to a second edition in 2011, Game of Thrones is a board game designed by Christian T. Peterson and Kevin Wilson and published by Fantasy Flight Games. Notorious for its diplomacy gameplay and vicious political gamesmanship, it is often compared to the 1959 board game classic Diplomacy, where friendships end in tragic betrayals and double-crosses; at GenCon, I once saw someone carve and stain a giant table-sized set out of wood, and it was a great success.

"Game of Thrones The Board Game Digital Edition" (that's the official name) was first announced earlier this year for a fall release, developed by Dire Wolf Digital and published by Asmodee Digital, owner of Fantasy Flight Games Asmodee Digital, owner of Fantasy Flight Games. No word yet on whether they will do "Mother of Dragons," an expansion that was released on the tabletop a few years ago.

"Game of Thrones" is available on Steam: on sale for $16 until October 13.