I Read Every Wheel of Time Book, This RPG Claim Shocks Me

A role-playing game set in the world of “The Wheel of Time” is currently being created, and as an ardent admirer of the series, I find it difficult to fully comprehend the promises thus far. Creating a contemporary video game within the realm of “The Wheel of Time” seems logical, despite the hurdles that come with it. Other popular fantasy series like “The Lord of the Rings” and “A Song of Ice & Fire” have been actively engaged in this area, making “The Wheel of Time” one of the highly-acclaimed fantasy series yet to receive comparable interactive treatment.

As an ardent fan of fantasy literature, I’ve immersed myself in numerous tales, including the ones mentioned earlier, but none compare to the extraordinary endeavor that is “The Wheel of Time”. This epic saga, in its entirety, stands out as one of the longest stories ever penned, spanning an impressive 14 volumes and a whopping four million words. The narrative’s twists and turns are unforgettable, leaving me with a profound sense of withdrawal upon reaching the final page. If only there were a video game adaptation to help those grappling with the thought of leaving Rand’s tale behind.

The Wheel Of Time RPG Is Promising A Lot

A Huge World With Complex Lore

Excitedly speaking as a dedicated fan, I recently learned through Variety that a Role-Playing Game (RPG) based on The Wheel of Time is being developed by a fresh gaming division of iwot Studios – the same production company behind our beloved Amazon series and other exciting upcoming projects. Though it seems like we’re still in the early stages, Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, has hinted at a three-year development process ahead. As a devoted fan, I can hardly contain my anticipation as this open-world game is intended to capture every detail from the books and all the rich backstory elements that make The Wheel of Time so captivating!

As a passionate gamer diving into the realm of ‘Wheel of Time’, I can’t contain my excitement knowing that this open-world game is set to encompass everything from the books – every detail, every backstory element. This isn’t just about one region or era; it’s the entire ‘Wheel of Time’ world at our fingertips!
Of course, with our focus on ‘Age of Legends’, we’ll leverage a wealth of resources from that period for films. That means more assets, marketing opportunities, and chances to engage fans in ways we’ve never done before. But what truly sets this game apart is its comprehensive coverage of the entire world.

While there have been other video games inspired by The Wheel of Time series, the initial title released in 1999 was quite different. Instead of following the narrative of the books, this game adopted a first-person shooter style and incorporated some role-playing game elements. It does present its own storyline, but it’s more compact in scope and only vaguely related to the main plot.

Selvage’s statement appears to imply a broad approach towards the game’s narrative and universe, but its boundaries in relation to the franchise as a whole remain somewhat unclear. Although this concept sounds intriguing, I find myself struggling to comprehend how it could be executed effectively. Given the scope of the story elements that the game would need to encompass, it presents a formidable challenge, to say the least.

The Wheel Of Time’s World Beats Any Elder Scrolls Game

It’s Not Just One Nation

In essence, each installment of The Elder Scrolls series concentrates on a specific geographical region within the fictional world of Tamriel. For instance, Morrowind, Skyrim, and Oblivion zero in on their respective titular areas, while games like Avowed and Elden Ring offer more defined regions, but still only a handful that typically represent unique cultures.

In contrast, “The Wheel of Time” series is primarily centered around traveling between distinctly diverse societies. Although certain aspects of the world, such as the relatively sparse desert inhabited by the Aiel, may be more straightforward to incorporate, there remains a considerable amount of territory to explore. Developing a game on this scale is not unattainable, but given that the IP isn’t widely recognized within the gaming industry, it might present challenges.

A more straightforward example to cite would be Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs), which have occasionally managed such impressive milestones by consistently delivering updates over an extended period. Notably, Chris Alexander, the developer heading up the Wheel of Time RPG, has previous experience with The Lord of the Rings Online, a game that meticulously constructed Middle-Earth over time. Similarly, The Elder Scrolls Online has explored significantly more of Tamriel than any single game in the series to date.

It’s uncertain whether the Wheel of Time RPG will be a Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) game, which complicates things. While certain areas might be reserved for future expansions or potential sequels, the scope of continuous development for a single-player title would only make sense if the game became incredibly popular, as such extensive updates are generally tied to significant success.

Telling The Wheel Of Time’s Story Is Just As Tough

So Many Moving Parts

In simpler terms, I believe the game can’t possibly include everything from the books, and it seems like they’re focusing on key plot points and characters instead of trying to be completely comprehensive. Given that some books have lengthy, repetitive subplots, I’m not keen on every detail being included. Even a more focused approach will likely prove challenging if it sticks to the main storyline of the series.

In any case, I am hopeful that the game will learn from the missteps of the Amazon series. Although I finished the first season, it strayed significantly from the original book’s plot for ordinary television drama and then rushed to the climax in a confusing manner. If the game chooses to deviate from the story, I would be perfectly okay with that. However, if it intends to tell Rand’s story, I wouldn’t want it to squander time on unnecessary filler.

It’s not wise to dwell excessively on negative thoughts since the game is still in its early stages. Instead, let’s hope for a fantastic, immersive RPG experience that captures all the great aspects of “The Wheel of Time” series in video game form. In a few years, it will be intriguing to see how closely the actual product aligns with those expectations. An open-world RPG based on “The Wheel of Time” has the potential to be extraordinary, but it could also disappoint if it fails to meet such high hopes.

2025-04-23 16:22