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 Hollywood trade publication, the game is described as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to be released on PC and consoles. It's currently in development at iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game developer, spearheaded by former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing development for Turbine (now WB Games Boston) franchises such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Despite this, the involvement of iwot Studios and the ambitious three-year development timeline have raised eyebrows among fans.
A quick online search of iwot Studios reveals a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Numerous posts express skepticism about the studio, with some fans labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the The Wheel of Time IP since acquiring it as Red Eagle Entertainment in 2004. Fans often reference a decade-old Reddit post that amplifies these concerns. The notion that a newly established 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 success with its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to positive reception. After facing criticism for significant deviations from the books in Seasons 1 and 2, the show managed to win back fans with a much-improved Season 3. This renewed interest has introduced the series to a broader audience, setting the stage for the upcoming video game.
To gain more insight 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 expect, and to address the online criticism directly with the studio's leadership.
