The Wheel of Time Getting Video Game Adaptation
- Sagar Mankar
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
A new video game based on the popular fantasy book series "The Wheel of Time" is now in development.
The game will be an open-world RPG (role-playing game) that will take about three years to create before players can enjoy it on PC and consoles.
iwot Studios, the company that owns the rights to Robert Jordan's 14-book fantasy series, announced they are developing the game through their newly formed gaming division called iwot Games. Craig Alexander, who previously worked on "The Lord of the Rings Online," will lead the development team.
"It's an open-world game, and it'll be everything with the Wheel of Time. Everything that is covered in the books, as well as all the backstory elements of it," said Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, according to Variety.
The Wheel of Time series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling fantasy series ever written. The story takes place in a world where time moves in cycles, and history repeats itself through different ages. It features a complex magic system and hundreds of characters across its vast world.
The series gained even more popularity when Amazon Prime Video released a TV adaptation in 2021, which recently finished its third season. The success of the show has encouraged iwot Studios to expand into gaming.
Craig Alexander brings valuable experience to the project, having previously worked on other fantasy game adaptations including "The Lord of the Rings Online," "Dungeons & Dragons Online," and a "Game of Thrones" mobile game.
"Adapting such a legendary mythology into an open-world RPG is a rare and ambitious challenge," Alexander said in the press release. "I'm thrilled to lead the effort and build a world-class team capable of honoring this beloved world."
The game aims to be comprehensive, covering the entire world from the books rather than focusing on just one region or time period. Selvage explained that players will be able to explore famous locations from the series, from the Two Rivers to the White Tower and the Aiel Waste beyond.
This isn't the only Wheel of Time project currently in development. iwot Studios is also working on "Age of Legends," a prequel film directed by Kari Skogland, and a 3D animated feature called "The White Tower" about the history of the Aes Sedai's home.
For fans of the books and TV series, this game represents another way to immerse themselves in Robert Jordan's rich fantasy world. However, some critics suggest that fans should temper their expectations, noting that iwot Studios has announced several Wheel of Time projects in the past that haven't materialized.
The video game development is taking place in Montreal, Canada. Alexander is currently building out the leadership team across design, technology, and art departments.