The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of The Wheel of Time series has undoubtedly stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. The news, initially reported by Variety, outlined plans for a "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to be released on PC and consoles, with a projected development timeline of three years. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development arm in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a seasoned executive formerly with Warner Bros. Games. Alexander's track record includes overseeing successful franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, which typically would generate significant enthusiasm.
However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time as Red Eagle Entertainment back in 2004, has fueled skepticism. A quick online search uncovers a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Many fans have expressed concerns, labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the franchise over the years. This sentiment is often linked to a decade-old Reddit post that amplifies these criticisms.
The skepticism is further compounded by doubts about whether a new studio can realistically deliver a high-quality, triple-A RPG in just three years. This has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" attitude among the online community.
Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series. After wrapping up Season 3, and with Season 4 yet to be confirmed, the show has managed to attract a new audience while addressing criticisms from core fans by improving its narrative significantly in the latest season.
To address these concerns and learn more about 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, and what fans can expect, as well as to provide a platform for iwot Studios to respond to the online criticism.
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