It's fair to say that the recent announcement of a The Wheel of Time video game being developed has taken fans by surprise and stirred a wave of skepticism across online communities. The news, initially reported by the Hollywood trade publication Variety, detailed an upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to be released on PC and consoles, inspired by Robert Jordan's beloved 14-book series. The project is slated for a three-year development period.
The game is in the hands of iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game developer, spearheaded by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander has a notable track record, having overseen development for Turbine's (now WB Games Boston) franchises such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Under normal circumstances, this would be a cause for celebration among fans. However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, alongside the ambitious three-year timeline, has raised significant doubts.
A quick online search of iwot Studios uncovers a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Numerous posts from skeptical fans label iwot as an "IP camper," accusing the company of mismanaging the The Wheel of Time intellectual property over the years. Fans have pointed to failed projects and a decade-old Reddit post that amplifies these grievances.
The skepticism is compounded by doubts about a brand-new video game studio's ability to deliver a triple-A RPG that lives up to the expectations of The Wheel of Time enthusiasts. This has fostered a "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment among online communities.
However, *The Wheel of Time* has recently seen a surge in popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season (with Season 4 yet to be confirmed). Despite initial backlash over significant deviations from the books in the first two seasons, the series managed to win back fans with a well-received third season, introducing the saga to a new audience.In light of these developments, I sought to gain further insight directly from iwot Studios. Through a video call, I discussed the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can anticipate with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game division. I also addressed the online criticism to get their perspective on the matter.
