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

The recent announcement of a video game based on Robert Jordan’s iconic series, The Wheel of Time, has stirred both excitement and skepticism among fans. Reported first by Variety, the game is described as an upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" intended for PC and consoles, with a development timeline of three years. The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game development team, under the leadership of former Warner Bros. Games executive, Craig Alexander. Alexander's track record includes overseeing successful franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, which typically would be a cause for celebration among fans.

However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time as Red Eagle Entertainment back in 2004, has raised eyebrows. The studio's history with the franchise has been tumultuous, with fans accusing them of being "IP campers" and squandering the potential of the IP through multiple unfulfilled projects. A particularly critical Reddit post from a decade ago encapsulates much of the fanbase's frustration.

Adding to the skepticism is the ambitious claim of creating a triple-A RPG in just three years, especially from a newly formed studio. The online community has adopted a cautious "we'll believe it when we see it" stance, reflecting doubts about the feasibility and quality of the final product.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video adaptation. The series, which just concluded its third season, managed to win back fans after initial criticism over significant deviations from the source material in the first two seasons. This renewed interest could be a boon for the upcoming game, provided it meets the high expectations set by the series.

In an effort to address these concerns and provide more clarity, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head for the video game project. The conversation aimed to shed light on the project's current status, its scope, what fans can expect, and to get a direct response to the online criticism surrounding the announcement.