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. According to Variety, the game is described as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" intended for PC and consoles, with a projected three-year development timeline. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established Montreal-based game development team, led by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive with a notable track record, including overseeing franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call.

However, the announcement has been met with cautious optimism at best, primarily due to iwot Studios' history with The Wheel of Time. Since acquiring the rights in 2004 (as Red Eagle Entertainment), iwot has been criticized by the fanbase for what some perceive as a lack of progress and unfulfilled projects. The term "IP camper" has been used to describe iwot, suggesting they have not effectively utilized the The Wheel of Time intellectual property. Additionally, the ambitious three-year timeline for a new studio to deliver a triple-A RPG has fueled doubts about the project's feasibility.

Online, the sentiment leans towards "we'll believe it when we see it," reflecting the fanbase's cautious stance. This skepticism is compounded by iwot Studios' fractured relationship with fans, as evidenced by numerous critical posts and a particularly damning 10-year-old Reddit thread.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has recently enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season with significant improvements over the first two seasons that had previously upset fans with their deviations from the source material. The show's success has introduced the series to a broader audience, potentially setting the stage for a well-received video game adaptation.

Seeking to understand the project better and address the online criticism, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head responsible for the game's development. The conversation aimed to shed light on the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can anticipate from this highly anticipated game.