Game of Thrones has a following like no other current television show.
It began as an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s popular fantasy books but has since become one of the most watched shows on pay TV – and also one of the most illegally downloaded.
As well as a growing number of book and DVD sales, there is a Game of Thrones board game, t-shirts and other official merchandise from producing TV company HBO.
But in line with the pirating craze that Game of Thrones has inspired, there is also a treasure trove of unofficial merchandise online. Some are rather standard fare like coins of the faceless man from season two, iPhone cases and keyrings, while others showcase the cult following Game of Thrones has.
An article of Buzzfeed recently named 10 of the weirdest Game of Thrones items for sale on the popular online craft store Etsy. Fans can buy a Dothraki onesie proclaiming your little one as “The Stallion Who Mounts The World”, a Direwolf handpuppet or a Ned Stark My Little Pony (complete with executional gore).
Some of the artist descriptions and disclaimers are just as, ahem, interesting as the actual Game of Thrones merchandise.
The Ned Stark inspired pony, for example, comes with a note that “this is a decorative art piece and not a toy intended for children”. It is also not listed on Etsy anymore, so hopefully the lucky buyer took heed and bought it for display rather than play. This kind of Game of Thrones merchandise is not just on Etsy though. That ultimate online auction giant eBay has thousands of listings for both official and unofficial Game of Thrones merchandise.
These range from dragon ear cuffs to horn beakers made by the same craftsman hired for Game of Thrones (“Available in two horn finishes – Rough for the more Natural look and polished which really brings out the colour of the horn”). Even HBO has branched out stubby holders, approving licensing for things like stubby holders so you can “cool your cans in style” and Pop! Vinyl figures.
Why Is Game Of Thrones Merchandise So Prolific?
While there is merchandise for other television shows and films, Game of Thrones has captured the imagination a much wider demographic than most other speculative fiction works. The Socionomics Institute has argued that this is because of the current zeitgeist, which trends “toward the negative”.
“At first glance, it seems puzzling that such a dark and violent story grew more popular while social mood was rising, but it is important to note that there are qualitative differences between a bull market and a bear-market (sic) rally. The social expressions of the latter are noticeably darker,” the Socionomics Institute explained.
While a bull market is one where share prices are rising and buying is up as a result, a bear market sees prices fall and more people selling and the Socionomics Institute said Game of Thrones was a “decidedly bear market work” that has resonated so strongly with people it is set to be an “enduring cultural icon”.
With the nature of bear markets encouraging selling, it makes sense that more and more people would want to share their Game of Thrones creations on sites like Etsy and eBay.
The outcome is that not only has the show inspired artists and inventive online sellers to produce more merchandise, but it’s also given fans another way to get involved in the Game of Thrones world.
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