"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed: No Release Date, May Launch on PS6 and Next Xbox"

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" destined for PC and consoles, inspired by Robert Jordan's beloved 14-book series. The project is slated for a three-year development timeline, which has raised eyebrows given the complexities typically associated with such ambitious projects.

The game is being developed at iwot Studios' newly established Montreal-based studio, headed by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's track record includes overseeing the development of successful titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call at Turbine (now WB Games Boston). Normally, this would generate significant enthusiasm 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, coupled with the ambitious three-year development claim, has sparked skepticism.

A quick online search reveals iwot Studios' strained relationship with the core "The Wheel of Time" fanbase. Numerous posts highlight fans' doubts, with some labeling iwot as an "IP camper," and others accusing the studio of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A decade-old Reddit post further amplifies these concerns. Additionally, the notion that a newly formed studio can rapidly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of fans has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment online.

Despite these challenges, "The Wheel of Time" has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season and is eagerly awaiting news of a fourth. After initial seasons that deviated significantly from the books and upset some fans, Season 3 managed to turn the tide with a much more faithful and well-received adaptation, drawing in a new wave of enthusiasts.

In an effort to address these concerns and gain more insight into the project, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game development. Our discussion aimed to uncover the current status of the project, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and how the studio plans to respond to the online criticism.