"Wheel of Time RPG Confirmed, No Release Date Yet -，可能为PS6和Next Xbox游戏"

The recent announcement of a video game adaptation of Robert Jordan's beloved series, The Wheel of Time, has taken fans by surprise and ignited a wave of skepticism across online communities. As reported by Variety, the game is described as an ambitious "AAA open-world role-playing game" intended for PC and consoles, with a projected three-year development timeline.

The project is being spearheaded by iwot Studios' newly established game development arm in Montreal, under the leadership of Craig Alexander, a former Warner Bros. Games executive. Alexander's previous roles included overseeing major titles like The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call, credentials that would typically inspire confidence. However, the involvement of iwot Studios, which acquired the rights to The Wheel of Time (originally as Red Eagle Entertainment) back in 2004, and the ambitious three-year development window have raised concerns among fans.

A quick look into iwot Studios reveals a contentious history with the The Wheel of Time community. Many fans have expressed skepticism online, labeling the studio as an "IP camper" and accusing them of mismanaging the franchise over the years. A particularly vocal criticism stems from a decade-old Reddit post that has fueled further discontent. The skepticism is compounded by doubts about whether a newly formed studio can deliver a triple-A RPG that meets the high expectations of the fanbase, leading to a general "we'll believe it when we see it" sentiment online.

Despite these concerns, The Wheel of Time has recently enjoyed renewed popularity thanks to its Amazon Prime Video series, which concluded its third season to positive reception after facing criticism for significant deviations from the books in its first two seasons. The series has successfully introduced the epic tale to a broader audience, setting the stage for potentially greater interest in the upcoming video game.

In an effort to address the online skepticism and provide more insight into the project, I conducted a video call interview with Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, head of the studio's game development efforts. During our conversation, we discussed the current status of the game, its scope, what fans can anticipate, and how the studio plans to respond to the criticisms circulating online.