"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date Yet; Possible PS6 and Next Xbox Launch"

The recent announcement of a The Wheel of Time video game in development has sent ripples of surprise and skepticism through the fan community. The news, first reported by Hollywood trade publication Variety, detailed an upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, inspired by Robert Jordan's cherished 14-book saga. A three-year development timeline was also hinted at.

The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established Montreal-based game development team, under the leadership of former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing the development of Turbine (now WB Games Boston) franchises such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. While this should typically excite fans, the involvement of iwot Studios and the ambitious three-year development claim have raised eyebrows.

A quick online search reveals a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Since acquiring the rights to the series (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) in 2004, iwot has been accused by some fans of being an "IP camper" and squandering the IP with projects that never materialized. A notable 10-year-old Reddit post further fuels these criticisms.

The skepticism is compounded by doubts that a new studio can swiftly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of The Wheel of Time fans. The online sentiment largely reflects a "we'll believe it when we see it" stance.

However, it's worth noting that The Wheel of Time has enjoyed recent success with its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season and is awaiting news on a potential fourth. After facing backlash for significant deviations from the source material in the first two seasons, the show managed to win back fans with a well-received third season, introducing the series to a broader audience.

In light of these developments, I reached out to iwot Studios for more insights. During a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head for their gaming division, we discussed the project's current status, its ambitious scope, what fans can anticipate, and how they plan to address the online criticism that has been directed their way.