"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed Legit, No Release Date Yet"

The recent announcement of a new The Wheel of Time video game has sent ripples of surprise and skepticism through the fan community. According to a report by Variety, a "AAA open-world role-playing game" based on Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series is in the works for PC and consoles, with a projected development timeline of three years.

The game is being developed by a new Montreal-based studio under iwot Studios, led by industry veteran Craig Alexander, formerly of Warner Bros. Games. Alexander's resume includes oversight of major titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, which would typically generate excitement. However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the The Wheel of Time rights (as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, has raised eyebrows due to the studio's history and the ambitious three-year development claim.

A quick search online shows that iwot Studios has a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Several fans have labeled iwot as an "IP camper," accusing the studio of mismanaging the franchise over the years. This sentiment is echoed across various platforms, with some pointing to a decade-old Reddit post that criticizes the company's handling of the IP. The skepticism is further fueled by doubts about whether a new studio can deliver a high-quality, triple-A RPG that meets the lofty expectations of the series' followers, resulting in a general "we'll believe it when we see it" stance among fans.

On the other hand, The Wheel of Time has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video adaptation. The series, which just concluded its third season, has not only attracted a new audience but also managed to regain favor with the core fanbase after addressing earlier criticisms about deviations from the source material in Seasons 1 and 2.

Given these dynamics, I sought to delve deeper into the project by speaking directly with iwot Studios. Over a video call, I discussed the game's progress, its scope, and fan expectations with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's gaming division. This conversation aimed to address the online criticism and provide clarity on the ambitious project.