After the epic conclusion to Season 3 of The Wheel of Time, iwot Studios is once again looking to expand the late Robert Jordan‘s 14-book series to a new medium. Variety exclusively reports that the production company is working on a new open-world AAA video game through its new in-house iwot Games team led by Warner Bros. Games veteran Craig Alexander. The ambitious project is planned to build on the success of the Prime Video series and give fans a new way to explore the fantasy world from the Two Rivers to the White Tower and the Aiel Waste beyond. Production is planned to span around three years as the game eyes a launch on PC and consoles.
Finer details of the video game have yet to be unveiled, but iwot Studios CEO Rick Selvage promises “a lot of continuity” regarding the company’s approach to the new title in comparison to the other Wheel of Time projects under their banner. As an open-world RPG, it will include “Everything that is covered in the books, as well as all the backstory elements of it,” making this a potentially massive undertaking for the studio. The entirety of Jordan‘s world as depicted in the story of Rand al’Thor and his friends is planned to be brought to life in one package, as Selvage added, “it’s not going to be limited to one area or another or a particular age. Of course, we’ll have opportunity on films, since we’re doing Age of Legends, we’ll have a lot of assets from that and marketing opportunities and fan integration, and a lot of other things. But it will cover the entire world.” Having the whole world opened up to players also opens up possibilities for incorporating more characters and history to interact with.
Alexander has a lot of experience bringing beloved fantasy worlds to life. While under the Warner Bros. banner, he spearheaded development on The Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online, both of which were major successes as MMORPGs and received multiple expansions, adding iconic locations from the source material. “Adapting such a legendary mythology into an open-world RPG is a rare and ambitious challenge,” he said about tackling The Wheel of Time. “It takes vision, scale, and a vibrant creative environment — all of which Montreal provides. I’m thrilled to lead the effort and build a world-class team capable of honoring this beloved world.” His team’s take on the fantasy world would only be the second such video game adaptation of Jordan’s work, following a 1999 prequel first-person shooter, casting players as an Aes Sedai.
What Other Projects Are Underway in the World of ‘The Wheel of Time’?
The Wheel of Time video game will be just the latest project iwot Studios is adding to the franchise following the continued success of the Rafe Judkins series. Two prequel projects are already in the works, including the aforementioned The Age of Legends, which will be the first installment of a trilogy intended to explain the origins of the fantasy world. Kari Skogland will be in charge of that live-action project while Eva Longoria executive produces. An animated feature titled The White Tower from Squeeze Studios, meanwhile, will explore the history of the Aes Sedai’s home before Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike) or her sisters ever inhabited it. Directed by Jay Oliva with Zack Stentz writing, it’ll follow a young girl’s treacherous journey to The White Tower to learn to control her magic powers after her village is visited by evil.
As for the main series itself, word has yet to be passed down about a Season 4. However, Josha Stradowski, who plays Rand, has expressed that the team feels confident about the chances of renewal.
via Collider