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

The recent announcement of a video game based on The Wheel of Time has stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. Hollywood trade publication Variety first reported on the upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, which is inspired by Robert Jordan's beloved 14-book series. The development, expected to span three years, is being led by iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game developer, under the guidance of former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander, who previously managed Turbine (now WB Games Boston) franchises such as The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, brings a wealth of experience to the project. However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, and the ambitious three-year development timeline, have raised eyebrows.

A quick online search reveals that iwot Studios has a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time fanbase. Numerous posts express skepticism about the studio, with some fans labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the The Wheel of Time IP over the years. A 10-year-old Reddit post is often cited, highlighting further discontent. Coupled with doubts about a new studio's ability to deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of fans, there's a prevailing sentiment of "we'll believe it when we see it."

Despite this, The Wheel of Time has recently seen success with its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to positive reception after overcoming initial criticism for deviating from the books in Seasons 1 and 2. The show has attracted a new wave of fans, setting the stage for potential excitement around the video game.

In an effort to address these concerns, I reached out to iwot Studios. During a video call, I spoke with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game efforts, to gain insights into the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can expect. I also brought up the online criticism to get their response.

[ttpp]