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. According to Variety, the game is set to be a "AAA open-world role-playing game" designed for PC and consoles, with a development timeline of three years. This ambitious project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' new Montreal-based game developer, under the leadership of former Warner Bros. Games executive, Craig Alexander. Alexander's impressive track record includes overseeing the development of titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, which typically would be a cause for celebration among fans.

However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, has raised eyebrows. The studio's history with the IP has been contentious, with many fans labeling iwot as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A decade-old Reddit post, among other online criticisms, highlights the fanbase's frustration with iwot's handling of the series.

Adding to the skepticism is the ambitious claim of a three-year development period for a brand new studio to deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of The Wheel of Time fans. This has led to a widespread "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment across online communities.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season on a high note after facing criticism for its deviations from the books in the first two seasons. The success of the TV series has introduced the saga to a new audience, potentially setting the stage for the game's reception.

In light of the online discourse, I reached out to iwot Studios for more insight. In a video call, I spoke with Rick Selvage, the head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head responsible for the game's development, to discuss the project's progress, its scope, and what fans can expect. They also addressed the criticisms and skepticism circulating online.