"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed as Open-World, No Release Date Yet"

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. The news, initially reported by Variety, outlines plans for a "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to launch on PC and consoles following a three-year development timeline.

The game is being crafted at iwot Studios' newly established game development studio in Montreal, spearheaded by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander brings a wealth of experience, having previously overseen the development of major titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. While his involvement would typically generate excitement, the project's association with iwot Studios has stirred controversy.

Iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (formerly known as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, has faced criticism from the fan community. A quick online search reveals a strained relationship with the dedicated fans of the series, with accusations of iwot being an "IP camper" and failing to capitalize on the The Wheel of Time IP effectively over the years. Many fans reference a decade-old Reddit post that elaborates on these grievances.

The notion that a newly formed studio could deliver a high-caliber RPG in just three years has been met with skepticism, contributing to a general sentiment of "we'll believe it when we see it" among fans online.

Despite this, The Wheel of Time has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season with a much-improved reception compared to the earlier seasons that had made significant deviations from the original books. The TV series has successfully broadened the franchise's fanbase, setting the stage for renewed interest in new projects like the upcoming video game.

In an effort to gather more information and address the online backlash, 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 shed light on the project's progress, its ambitious scope, what fans can anticipate, and how the studio plans to respond to the criticisms circulating online.