The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's iconic "The Wheel of Time" series has taken fans by surprise, stirring a mix of excitement and skepticism across online communities. According to Variety, the project is being developed as a "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, with a proposed three-year development timeline.

The game is in the hands of iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game development team, spearheaded by Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's impressive resume includes managing key franchises like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call at Turbine (now WB Games Boston). However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (initially as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, along with the ambitious three-year development plan, has raised eyebrows among fans.

A quick online search reveals a strained relationship between iwot Studios and the dedicated "The Wheel of Time" fanbase. Numerous posts express skepticism about the studio, with some labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and others accusing the company of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A notable 10-year-old Reddit thread amplifies these criticisms.

The skepticism is further fueled by doubts about a new studio's ability to quickly deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of "The Wheel of Time" enthusiasts. This has resulted in a prevailing sentiment of "we'll believe it when we see it" among online discussions.

Despite these concerns, "The Wheel of Time" has enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to its successful Amazon Prime Video series. After wrapping up Season 3, the show has not only attracted a new wave of fans but also managed to regain the trust of core fans with a well-received third season following some controversial changes in the first two seasons.

In an effort to delve deeper into the project, I conducted a video call with Rick Selvage, head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, who leads the studio's video game development efforts. The conversation aimed to clarify the project's current status, its scope, and what fans can anticipate, while also addressing the widespread online criticism.