The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's iconic The Wheel of Time series has taken fans by surprise and ignited a wave of skepticism across the internet. According to a report from Hollywood's Variety, the game is described as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" intended for PC and console platforms, with a development timeline of three years.
This ambitious project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established Montreal-based game developer, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing development for renowned titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. While this background typically would generate excitement, it's the involvement of iwot Studios—formerly known as Red Eagle Entertainment, which acquired The Wheel of Time rights in 2004—that has sparked doubts among the fan community.
A quick online search uncovers a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Numerous posts express skepticism, with some labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and others claiming that the studio has "squandered" the IP over the years through various unfulfilled projects. A particularly critical Reddit post from a decade ago has been frequently cited by fans.
Adding to the skepticism is the notion that a newly formed studio could rapidly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the lofty expectations of The Wheel of Time fans. This has led to a prevalent "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment among the online community.
Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has seen a surge in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series, which recently concluded its third season. While the initial seasons faced criticism for deviating from the books, Season 3 was well-received, helping to rejuvenate interest in the franchise. This newfound audience, combined with the existing fanbase, sets high expectations for the upcoming game.
To gain more insight into the project, I conducted a video interview with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's gaming division. Our discussion aimed to shed light on the project's current status, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and to address the online criticism directly with the studio's leadership.
