Fans of Robert Jordan’s legendary The Wheel of Time fantasy series have been buzzing since news broke that a AAA open-world role-playing game is in the works. But while developers insist the project is genuine, they're urging fans to temper expectations—especially when it comes to a release window. This game might not launch until the next console generation, potentially debuting on the PlayStation 6 and next-gen Xbox.
A Bold Vision with a Long Road Ahead
The game is currently in early development at iwot Studios, a Montreal-based outfit spearheaded by Craig Alexander, a veteran of Warner Bros. Games and key figure behind The Lord of the Rings Online. Backed by Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios (formerly Red Eagle Entertainment, which has held the interactive rights to the franchise since 2004), the project aims to fully explore the rich world Jordan created across 14 novels.
The studio envisions not just a single game, but an expansive multi-title franchise. Plans include sequels, DLC, and possibly live-service elements, drawing inspiration from other vast fantasy franchises like Assassin’s Creed and The Elder Scrolls.
Fans Remain Cautiously Optimistic
While the announcement generated excitement, it also stirred skepticism. Longtime fans are wary of iwot Studios' track record, pointing to previous failed attempts and accusations of mismanaging the IP. Online forums, particularly Reddit, have chronicled the community's frustration with the franchise’s stalled gaming past.
But Selvage and Alexander are unfazed by the criticism. “We’re not concerned about people who have been misinformed,” Selvage said. “All we can do is deliver on our commitments and create quality experiences for fans.”
Building From the Ground Up
Currently, iwot Studios is in the prototype phase, with a team of fewer than 30 developers. They plan to expand significantly, eventually scaling to a full production crew of up to 300 employees. The focus right now is on assembling top-tier talent, and according to Alexander, interest has been high. “We’ve had some of the best writers in the industry approach us. For many, The Wheel of Time is why they got into games in the first place.”
Platform Strategy and Timeline
The developers confirmed the game will be multi-platform, aiming for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox—but likely not until the next generation of consoles arrives. “It’s a massive project,” Alexander acknowledged. “We want to get it right, and that means not rushing the release or compromising quality.”
While some reports speculated a three-year development cycle, Selvage refuted this, calling it unrealistic. “We’re in pre-production. That timeline didn’t come from us, and it’s going to take multiple years to do this right.”
Narrative Direction: Books, Show, and More
The game is expected to follow both the novels and the TV series, which has gained momentum with a successful third season on Amazon Prime Video. However, there’s another potential entry point into the game’s story: the upcoming Age of Legends feature film. Selvage hinted that the game could draw assets and story elements from that project, offering fans a deeper look at the world’s origins—an area not extensively covered before.
Single-Player Focus with Multiplayer Potential
Despite Alexander’s MMO background, the current vision leans toward a single-player experience with multiplayer components rather than a full-scale MMO. “The story is character-driven,” he said. “And we want players to experience that by playing as or alongside iconic characters, not just anonymous avatars.”
A Franchise Decades in the Making
The team believes they’re in a unique position to do justice to one of fantasy’s most intricate worlds. With thousands of characters and countless story arcs, the scope is enormous. But with the rise of immersive, long-form RPGs and successful fantasy adaptations on TV, they see the time as ripe.
“Other mediums require you to narrow the scope,” Alexander said. “With video games, we don’t have to do that. We can explore it all.”
Looking Ahead
While there's no concrete release date in sight, fans can rest assured that the developers are serious about the project—and determined to prove the skeptics wrong. From a brand-new studio to a game that could span decades of content, The Wheel of Time RPG is shaping up to be an ambitious endeavor rooted in passion and built with experience.
As Selvage put it: “We’re keeping our heads down and doing what we said we would. It took time for the TV show to win people over. The game will do the same."
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