"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date Yet -，可能为PS6和下一代Xbox游戏"

The recent announcement of a video game based on Robert Jordan's iconic The Wheel of Time series has stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. The news, initially reported by Variety, revealed that a "AAA open-world role-playing game" is in development for PC and consoles, with a projected three-year development timeline.

The 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 track record includes overseeing the development of major titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. Despite this, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, has raised eyebrows. The studio's history and the ambitious three-year development timeline have fueled skepticism among the fanbase.

A quick online search uncovers a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated The Wheel of Time community. Numerous posts from fans express doubts about the studio, with some labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and others accusing them of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A decade-old Reddit post further amplifies these concerns. The notion that a new studio could swiftly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of The Wheel of Time fans has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment online.

However, the The Wheel of Time franchise has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to positive reviews. After facing criticism 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. This renewed interest could potentially bolster support for the upcoming video game.

In an effort to address the swirling doubts and provide more insight into the project, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head overseeing the game's development. Our conversation aimed to shed light on the project's current status, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and to give the studio an opportunity to respond to the online criticism.