The recent announcement of a video game based on Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series, The Wheel of Time, has sent ripples of surprise and skepticism through the fan community. According to a report by Variety, the game is described as an ambitious "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to be released for PC and consoles, with a development timeline of three years.
The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development branch in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander has a notable track record, having overseen the development of several successful franchises at Turbine, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Despite this impressive background, the involvement of iwot Studios has raised eyebrows among fans.
Iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time as Red Eagle Entertainment back in 2004, has a contentious history with the series' fanbase. Online searches reveal a community that is wary of the studio, with accusations of being an "IP camper" and criticism for allegedly mismanaging the IP over the years. A notable Reddit post from a decade ago encapsulates much of the fanbase's frustration with iwot's handling of the beloved series.
The skepticism is further fueled by doubts over whether a newly formed studio can deliver a high-quality, triple-A RPG in just three years. This has led to a cautious "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment among fans online.
However, the announcement comes at a time when The Wheel of Time is enjoying renewed popularity thanks to the successful Amazon Prime Video series. After some initial backlash due to significant deviations from the source material in Seasons 1 and 2, the series managed to regain favor with a well-received Season 3. The show has introduced the series to a broader audience, which could be a positive factor for the upcoming game.
In an effort to address the community's concerns and provide more insight into the project, I conducted a video interview with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head overseeing the game's development. The conversation aimed to clarify the project's current status, its ambitious scope, and what fans can expect, while also giving the studio an opportunity to respond to the online criticism they've faced.
