"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed as Open-World, No Release Date Yet"

The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's epic series, The Wheel of Time, has stirred a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. Reported by Variety, the game is touted as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" set to be released on PC and consoles after a three-year development period. The project is being helmed by iwot Studios' newly established game development team in Montreal, led by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive with a robust track record in developing major titles such as The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online.

However, the excitement is tempered by the history and reputation of iwot Studios. Having acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time back in 2004 as Red Eagle Entertainment, iwot Studios has been met with criticism from the fanbase, who have dubbed them an "IP camper" and accused them of mismanaging the franchise. A particularly vocal thread on Reddit from a decade ago amplifies these sentiments, pointing to the studio's failure to deliver on previous promises.

The notion of a brand new studio producing a high-caliber RPG in just three years further fuels the skepticism. Many fans online have adopted a "we'll believe it when we see it" stance, given the ambitious nature of the project and iwot Studios' track record.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to its successful adaptation on Amazon Prime Video. The series, now concluding its third season, has attracted a new wave of fans and managed to regain some favor with its core audience after making significant improvements in Season 3 following earlier deviations from the source material.

In an effort to address the online skepticism and provide more clarity on the upcoming game, I had the opportunity to speak with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head overseeing the game's development. Through a video call, we discussed the project's current status, its ambitious scope, what fans can anticipate, and how the studio plans to respond to the criticism they've faced.