"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date Yet -，可能PS6 and Next Xbox"

The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's iconic series, The Wheel of Time, has taken fans by surprise and stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism across the internet. According to a report by Variety, the game is described as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to launch on PC and consoles after a three-year development period.

This ambitious project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development studio in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's impressive resume includes overseeing the development of successful titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Despite Alexander's credentials, the involvement of iwot Studios—formerly known as Red Eagle Entertainment, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time in 2004—has raised eyebrows. The studio's history and the ambitious timeline for the game's development have fueled doubts among fans.

A quick search online reveals a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time community. Several fans have voiced skepticism, branding iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the franchise. References to a decade-old Reddit thread criticizing the studio's handling of the IP add to the chorus of concern. Additionally, the notion that a new studio could swiftly deliver a high-caliber RPG that meets fans' lofty expectations has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment.

Despite these challenges, The Wheel of Time has enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to the success of its Amazon Prime Video series. After some initial backlash over deviations from the books in the first two seasons, the show managed to win back fans with a well-received third season. This resurgence has attracted a new audience, potentially setting the stage for the upcoming game.

To delve deeper into the project, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the head of the studio's gaming division. Our conversation aimed to clarify the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can anticipate, while also addressing the online criticism head-on.