"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date Yet - Possible PS6, Next Xbox Title"

The recent announcement of a video game based on Robert Jordan's iconic 14-book series, The Wheel of Time, has taken fans by surprise and ignited a wave of skepticism across online communities. As reported by Variety, this upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" is slated for release on PC and consoles, with a development timeline set at three years. The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development division in Montreal, under the leadership of former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing the development of notable titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call.

However, the excitement that would typically accompany such an announcement is overshadowed by the controversial history of iwot Studios. Originally known as Red Eagle Entertainment, the company acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time back in 2004. Since then, iwot has faced criticism from the series' dedicated fanbase, with some branding the company as an "IP camper" and accusing it of failing to capitalize on the franchise effectively. Online forums are rife with posts questioning iwot's handling of the IP, with references to a decade-old Reddit thread highlighting the fans' longstanding frustrations.

The skepticism surrounding the project is further fueled by the ambitious claim of a new studio delivering a high-caliber RPG within just three years. Many fans have adopted a "we'll believe it when we see it" stance, reflecting their doubts about the feasibility of such a rapid development cycle for a game that aims to meet the high expectations of The Wheel of Time enthusiasts.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time franchise has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Amazon Prime Video series, which recently concluded its third season. While the show initially faced backlash for deviating from the source material in its first two seasons, Season 3 was well-received and helped to restore some faith among fans. This renewed interest in the series could potentially bolster support for the upcoming game.

In an effort to address the online criticism and provide clarity on the project, I conducted a video interview with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game division. Our discussion aimed to shed light on the current status of the game, its scope, and what fans can expect moving forward.