As much as its fun to see new versions of the "big name" characters, I'd love to see more of a focus on historical figures and the famous heroes and villains of the books. Such as:

Dunk and Egg...

Bloodraven (perferably two verions, both as the King's Hand and as a member of the Nights Watch)

Bittersteel (or any of ther heroes from when the Red Dragons fought the Black Dragons)

The Smiling Knight (or any of the historical outlaws)

The White Bull (or any of the historical Kingsguard)

If we had enough historical figures it would allow for more variety in deckbuilding, especially for the Targaryens as they have so many interesting members of their family... who are almost all dead.

Judd

Until the last year or so, FFG has stayed far away from any characters who were dead before the first chapter of "A Game of Thrones." In fact, only two "historical" characters have ever been made into cards: Rhaegar Targaryen and Ser Arthur Dayne. At the current rate, there may be one more in the Kings Landing Chapter Pack cycles. (In fact it was spoiled that there would be: Jon Arryn.) Anyway, this history lesson is more to say that while FFG's position before about 12/2007 was "there are more than enough characters in the books to explore without having to delve into the history of Westeros," they do seem to be changing that stance. But it seems to be more of a "special appearance" thing in the existing packs rather than any plans to do a whole cycle or set of "historical figures." You never know, though. People have been asking for historical sets for awhile now.

The one thing regarding "historical figures" that has been brought up before that is probably true is that the Hedge Knight/Sworn Sword stories may be a different license than the one FFG already has for the game. As such, FFG might have to renegotiate the terms of the license with GRRM if they ever wanted to print cards for Dunk, Egg, Bloodraven or any of the other characters whose stories are told primarily through the short stories. The Kingswood Brotherhood and heroes of Robert's Rebellion (on both sides) are more likely to make appearances (as some have already).

I'm not a legal expert by any means, but at what point does character cross-over move from one copyright holder to another? Sure, the D&E stories are not part of the same series, but they are historical characters who are referenced by name in Feast for Crows (and Dunk in Storm of Swords, iirc). I would think there would be some way for these characters to be included in the LCG, though perhaps not as they are presented in any of the D&E stories themselves. But it might be a fine line to cross.

I have to say that when the decision was made to add Rhaegar to the game, I was shocked -- I remember all the old discussions about the game and the characters and whether it was heresy to include characters who died before the series started. But at the same time, there is something fun with playing with these characters, and I wouldn't be upset to see more of them. Although I consider myself to be a Ned player, that doesn't mean I can't be flexible in my attitude towards the game. And because I love the Night's Watch, I'd love to see a Blood Raven card. There's a character who only hear about in passing, but I'd love to learn more about him. He sure seems to have had a huge effect on Westeros in the previous century.

Well... the license to Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit are usually considered seperate, and seperate of book vs. movie.

Different series almost always equals different lisencing, even if related, same world, or even same characters unless the original lisencing between FFG and GRRM named both series or allows the the rights to the characters of the world of Westeros, or some other general terminology. I suspect FFG's lisene likely covers ASoIAF, which would not include Dunk & Egg.

JerusalemJones said:

The nature of the game itself it to create hypothetical What If?! versions of the outcomes of the conflicts in the book. I'll skirt the spoilers, but most games play out in ways completely contrary to the book, but utterly fascinating all the same. I love the inclusion of characters from outside the "current" timeline and would welcome more than what we've seen so far. Now, where would I draw the line? Well, considering the relative lack of information, I don't see any point in going back further than Robert's Rebellion (perhaps Dunk and Egg are exceptions). We don't need Aegon I running around, but seeing Jon Arryn, the Smiling Knight, Gerold Hightower, and others would make my day.

What about Ned's brother and sister, Brandon and Lyanna? Lyanna could have a very interesting ability, depending on the creativity of the card designer, and she was around [roughly] during the same time period as Ser Arthur Dayne, who has his own card already...

I'd also like to see Rodrik and Maron Greyjoy, Balon's sons who died in his Rebellion, while were at it. Every house could muster a few "before the books" characters.

jmccarthy said:

Without spoiling anything, they were both around at the same time and often at the same place (the Tourney at Harrenhal, for example).

~We need Lommy and Hot Pie before we see more historical characters.