"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date -，可能在PS6和下一代Xbox上发布

The recent revelation of a The Wheel of Time video game in development has stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. The project, described as an upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, is based on Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series. According to reports by Variety, the game is slated for a three-year development period and is being crafted at iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game developer, headed by former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander's impressive resume, which includes overseeing development for franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, typically would instill confidence. However, the involvement of iwot Studios—known previously as Red Eagle Entertainment, which acquired the The Wheel of Time rights in 2004—and the ambitious three-year timeline have raised doubts.

A quick internet search shows iwot Studios has a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time fan community. Numerous online posts express skepticism, with some fans labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and others accusing them of mismanaging the franchise. A decade-old Reddit thread amplifies these sentiments, pointing to multiple failed projects. The notion that a newly formed studio can swiftly produce a high-caliber RPG that meets the lofty expectations of The Wheel of Time enthusiasts has led to a general "we'll believe it when we see it" stance online.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season (with a fourth yet to be confirmed). After initially upsetting the core fanbase with significant deviations from the books in Seasons 1 and 2, the series made a strong recovery with an improved Season 3, bringing in a new wave of fans.

Seeking to clarify the situation, I reached out to iwot Studios. In a video call, I discussed the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can anticipate with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game division. This conversation aimed to address the online criticisms and provide a clearer picture of what's in store for The Wheel of Time fans.