The recent reveal of a The Wheel of Time video game in development has taken fans by surprise, igniting both excitement and skepticism across online communities.
According to a report by Variety, a major open-world role-playing game based on Robert Jordan’s beloved 14-book series, The Wheel of Time, is being crafted for PC and consoles. The project, described as a “AAA” title, is slated for a three-year development timeline.
The game is being developed by iwot Studios’ new Montreal-based team, led by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander previously managed major titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call at Turbine (now WB Games Boston). While this pedigree might typically spark enthusiasm, the involvement of iwot Studios— which secured the rights to The Wheel of Time as Red Eagle Entertainment in 2004—and the ambitious three-year timeline have raised doubts among fans.
A quick online search shows iwot Studios has a strained relationship with dedicated The Wheel of Time fans. Many criticize the company, with some labeling it an “IP camper” and others claiming it has mishandled the franchise through stalled projects. Online discussions, including a decade-old Reddit thread, amplify these concerns.
The notion of a fledgling studio delivering a AAA RPG that meets the high expectations of The Wheel of Time fanbase has fueled a widespread “we’ll believe it when we see it” sentiment online.
Meanwhile, The Wheel of Time has gained renewed popularity through its Amazon Prime Video series, which recently concluded its third season (with no word yet on Season 4). Despite early criticism for diverging from the books in Seasons 1 and 2, the show won back many fans with a well-received Season 3, drawing in a fresh wave of enthusiasts.
Curious to learn more, I connected with iwot Studios’ leadership. In a video call with Rick Selvage, head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who oversees the company’s gaming division, I explored the project’s progress, its ambitions, fan expectations, and their response to the online criticism.
