Wheel of Time RPG Announced for Future Consoles, No Release Date

The recent unveiling of a new The Wheel of Time video game in development was an unexpected surprise for the fanbase, generating considerable online skepticism.

Initial reports from Hollywood trade publication Variety detailed an upcoming "AAA open-world role-playing game" for PC and consoles, drawing from Robert Jordan's beloved 14-book series, The Wheel of Time. A three-year development timeline was also confirmed.

Development is being led by iwot Studios' newly established Montreal-based game studio, headed by former Warner Bros. Games executive Craig Alexander. Alexander previously managed development for all Turbine (now WB Games Boston) franchises, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online, and Asheron's Call. While this background would typically generate excitement, the involvement of iwot Studios—which acquired The Wheel of Time rights (as Red Eagle Entertainment) in 2004—alongside the ambitious three-year schedule has left many observers wary.

A quick online search for iwot Studios reveals a strained relationship with the dedicated The Wheel of Time community. Numerous posts from skeptical fans accuse the company of "IP squatting," while others argue iwot has "squandered" the franchise over the years with multiple abandoned projects. Many point to a decade-old Reddit post that details further grievances.

This skepticism, combined with doubts that a new studio can deliver a AAA RPG that satisfies fan expectations, has resulted in a pervasive "we'll believe it when we see it" attitude online.

However, The Wheel of Time has seen renewed popularity with its Amazon Prime Video TV series, which recently concluded its third season (a potential fourth season remains unannounced). The show has introduced the universe to a new generation of fans and, after initial criticism from book readers for narrative changes in Seasons 1 and 2, successfully won back support with a much stronger third season.

Against this backdrop, I sought further insight directly from iwot Studios. Over a video call, I interviewed Rick Selvage, head of iwot Studios, and Craig Alexander, the studio head leading the video game initiative, to better understand the project's current status, scope, and expectations—while also addressing the online criticism directly with them.