The recent announcement of a The Wheel of Time video game has taken fans by surprise, stirring a mix of excitement and skepticism across online communities. According to a report by Variety, a "AAA open-world role-playing game" based on Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series is in the works for PC and consoles, with a projected three-year development timeline.
The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development studio in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing the development of major titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Despite this, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, and the ambitious three-year development claim have raised eyebrows among fans.
A quick online search reveals a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Numerous posts express skepticism, with some fans labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A decade-old Reddit thread further amplifies these concerns, highlighting multiple failed projects. Additionally, the notion that a new studio could swiftly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of The Wheel of Time enthusiasts has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment online.
However, The Wheel of Time has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to positive reviews. After facing backlash for significant deviations from the books in Seasons 1 and 2, the show managed to win back fans with a well-received Season 3. This renewed interest could potentially bolster the upcoming video game's reception.
To gain deeper insights into the project, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head overseeing the game's development. Our discussion aimed to clarify the project's current status, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and to address the online criticism head-on.
