The recent announcement of a The Wheel of Time video game has undoubtedly stirred the pot among fans, blending excitement with a healthy dose of skepticism. According to a report from Hollywood trade publication Variety, this ambitious project is billed as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, drawing from Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series. The game is slated for a three-year development cycle and is being crafted at iwot Studios’ new Montreal-based game developer, spearheaded by former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander's track record includes overseeing major franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, which should inspire confidence. However, it's the involvement of iwot Studios—formerly Red Eagle Entertainment, which acquired The Wheel of Time rights back in 2004—that has raised eyebrows.
A quick dive into online discussions about iwot Studios reveals a strained relationship with the passionate The Wheel of Time community. Many fans have expressed doubts, with some labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and others lamenting the perceived mismanagement of the IP over the years, pointing to numerous unfulfilled projects. A particularly vocal critique can be traced back to a decade-old Reddit post, which has fueled ongoing concerns.
Adding to the skepticism is the ambitious claim of a new studio launching a AAA RPG within three years. This has led to a general online sentiment of "we'll believe it when we see it." Yet, it's worth noting that The Wheel of Time has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded Season 3 on a high note after some early narrative adjustments in Seasons 1 and 2. The series has not only retained its core audience but also attracted a new legion of fans, setting the stage for heightened anticipation around any new adaptations.
To shed more light on this project and address the swirling online criticism, I reached out to iwot Studios. In a video call, I had the opportunity to speak with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head overseeing the game's development. Our discussion aimed to uncover the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can ultimately expect from this much-anticipated game.
