More Wheel Of Time Games On The Way

[DoctorFinger]

Get ready to return to the Wheel. Wheel of Time that is.

Red Eagle Entertainment, the holding company and film studio created to handle the rights related to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series of novels, has announced plans to begin it's own studio to develop games based on the franchise. Red Eagle Games will produce multiple games, as well as begin work on an MMO.

This is part of a multi-pronged blitz surrounding the Wheel of Time franchise. The series - presently up to book 11 - was written by veteran Fantasy author Robert Jordan until his death last year. The 12th and (supposedly) final book is presently being written from Jordan's notes by Brandon Sanderson and is due in late 2009. Universal recently signed a deal with Red Eagle to produce a series of WoT movies, reportedly with a trilogy with a budget approacing the $150M range. The games are set to be released alongside these films, and will likely use the visual style of the films. No genres were discussed for the games, but the property is open enough that you could do anything from basic RPG to hack & slash with it.

There was one previous Wheel of Time game, a FPS released in the late 90s which met with middling success.

Sources - VentureBeat (http://venturebeat.com/2008/11/12/red-eagle-to-make-multiple-films-and-games-based-on-robert-jordans-wheel-of-time-books/); Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=293919)

[DoctorFinger]

BTW, a God of War-esque hack & slash, where you play as Rand, could be totally badass. As could an isometric, party based RPG.

[cassiusregicide]

I'm curious what they plan for the movies. You'd have to do some serious trimming even to get a basic story. Besides, all this seems about 5 years too late. Most people I know have almost completely given up on the series.

[Grifter]

I can't see this ending well.

[DoctorFinger]

I think you could chop the movie into thirds without doing too much damage. There are - in my mind - three ready made 'end' points in the series:
1) Defeating Ishamael with Callandor. 2) Cleansing the Taint. 3) The eventual endingThey'd have to trim a lot of the fat from the series, but to be honest, as much as I loved the first 5-6 books, they're terribly bloated and could use a trim.

[Blue]

BTW, a God of War-esque hack & slash, where you play as Rand, could be totally badass. As could an isometric, party based RPG.

While cool it's not really how I envision Rand nor anyone else in that series.

[MosBen]

I remember the WoT game from the 90s being quite good, though underrated. Of course, it's been so long that I don't really remember anything about it and I never got into the WoT books.

[Ancalagon]

While cool it's not really how I envision Rand nor anyone else in that series.

As a Power wielding blade master, he could be unbelievably cool, provided you could suspend disbelief for a while (eg, what would you do with access to the One Power?).

Thats why, in the original game, the main character couldnt channel, she could only use ter angreal (as far as I remember).

The only problem with the books is that they are too long winded, although the story and setting are both awesome. I especially like how society went from being high technology to early middle ages.

[cassiusregicide]

I think you could chop the movie into thirds without doing too much damage. There are - in my mind - three ready made 'end' points in the series:
1) Defeating Ishamael with Callandor. 2) Cleansing the Taint. 3) The eventual endingThey'd have to trim a lot of the fat from the series, but to be honest, as much as I loved the first 5-6 books, they're terribly bloated and could use a trim.

I think that they would have to stop at your first spoiler. Up until that point, there aren't too many "main" characters and they are mostly together for the story. After the Stone of Tear, everyone goes their separate ways and RJ makes every person in the world a main character.

[Cit Phil Cit]

I read 3.25 WoT books before I decided I read them all.

[LongStepMantis]

There was one previous Wheel of Time game, a FPS released in the late 90s which met with middling success.

Am I just misunderstanding the use of the term FPS?

I thought the first one was a classic adventure game. I could be wrong, I'm just curious.

Edit: I was confused. I was thinking of Death Gate by Weis and Hickman.

To anyone who might be as confused as I, here's the wiki link for the old WoT game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_of_Time_(video_game)).

[jacob.armitage]

i quite enjoyed the last WoT game they put out.
i find it funny that the developers of that, legend entertainment, went on to make Unreal 2: the awakening. and never made anything afterwards.

[Cit Phil Cit]

Am I just misunderstanding the use of the term FPS?

I remember a Myst-like adventure game titled Death Gate.



That was a series of books written by Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the Death Gate Cycle, I did read that. They revitalized the D&D novel market 15-20 years ago with their DragonLance series kept TSR from going tits up for a few years I would think.

It wasn't an FPS that game, as I recall, as you said more like a PnC adventure game.

[Deadend]

$150 mil for 3 movies? So a budget of $50 mil per movie.. yeah, that won't end well.

Game also releasing with movie.. expect utter shit.

[LongStepMantis]

That was a series of books written by Margret Weis and Tracy Hickman, the Death Gate Cycle, I did read that. They revitalized the D&D novel market 15-20 years ago with their DragonLance series kept TSR from going tits up for a few years I would think.

It wasn't an FPS that game, as I recall, as you said more like a PnC adventure game.

You are correct. I edited my original post to remove my confused remarks.

I played Death Gate at one time, I never even knew the Unreal Engine WoT game existed. This is the first time I've heard of it.

[NoName]

I never got past book 7 or 8, maybe I should reread this series. The beginning was really good.

I remember the game and dimly remember liking it, though that may have been because I was a big fan of the series.

[Blue]

As a Power wielding blade master, he could be unbelievably cool, provided you could suspend disbelief for a while (eg, what would you do with access to the One Power?).

Thats why, in the original game, the main character couldnt channel, she could only use ter angreal (as far as I remember).

The only problem with the books is that they are too long winded, although the story and setting are both awesome. I especially like how society went from being high technology to early middle ages.

That's actually do a pretty good point. Not that I'm saying I wouldn't give it a go either way. A good game set within the WoT universe would make me pretty darn happy.

[MagGnome]

This does seem to be pretty late. I never got into the books, but the popularity of them seemed to die a few years ago.

I played the game back in the late 90s, and it wasn't anything special.

[Borthcollective]

Why can't I get "Cleansing the Taint 3: The Eventual Ending" out of my head?

[DoctorFinger]

$150 mil for 3 movies? So a budget of $50 mil per movie.. yeah, that won't end well.

Game also releasing with movie.. expect utter shit.I don't know if it's 150 for the whole shebang, or 150 for the first one. I don't see it happening, but they could go the LotR route and film all of the films (3, 4, whatever) in one shot, thereby saving money in the process. WoT is one of the biggest literary properties, so it very well may earn that respect, but it's still dicey.

As for releasing the game with the movie, so long as they have enough lead time, it should be fine. That's what kills most movie games, they start thinking about them at the same time they do the toys, the t-shirts and the happy meals: 1 year before release, which is not enough time to build a game from scratch. In this case, if they start soon, they'll have at least 2 years, maybe 3 before the first film hits stores, and that should be enough.

[MosBen]

Deadend: Keep in mind that it won't be like three separately budgeted $50 million movies. They'll probably make all three at the same time, which means they don't waste money rebuilding sets, or any of the other startup costs that you'd have to do if you had separate films. Also, they're probably casting mostly non-famous people in the movie (with probably one or two exceptions), which means that they'll get the cast at a pretty discount rate and not have to pay anyone more if the first movie does well. Finally, they'll be able to share effects, like CGI, between the films, which will save money.

I don't think for a second that this will be as groundbreaking or culturally significant as the Lord of the Rings movies, but they could turn out a trilogy on that budget that isn't total shit and which, depending on their competition, could turn a profit.

[MosBen]

Doc, you beat me to it.

And yes Borthcollective, the phrase "cleansing the taint" has been in my head most of the day as well.

[DoctorFinger]

This does seem to be pretty late. I never got into the books, but the popularity of them seemed to die a few years ago.

I played the game back in the late 90s, and it wasn't anything special.At one time - late 90s or so - the fan community for this series was one of the biggest on the internet. Then it just died. Partly because the books got less frequent, partly because they weren't as good.

[Talon]

I await news of the conversation system with bated breath.

[Siraris]

Eye of the World was one of my favorite books ever, and I got up until book 6 or 7 before I got sidetracked and never went back. I'm terrified what they will do with the movies. To me, they deserve an all-star treatment like LOTR did, but I doubt they will get it. Maybe on the level of Golden Compass, or Lion Witch and Wardrobe. Regardless, I've been waiting for some time to see how they will tackle this mountain. I don't hold out much hope for the games, though. Last one was poop.

[MagGnome]

Speaking of LOTR, where are the fantasy movies? We've had a ton of them over the last few years, but there haven't been any this year that I can think of. Did they all get canned after a few of them (Golden Compass, Eragon) bombed?

[cassiusregicide]

Speaking of LOTR, where are the fantasy movies? We've had a ton of them over the last few years, but there haven't been any this year that I can think of. Did they all get canned after a few of them (Golden Compass, Eragon) bombed?

There are still rumblings about a sequel to The Golden Compass, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one in a couple of years. Eragon on the other hand is probably dead in the water.

[pomeroy]

Speaking of LOTR, where are the fantasy movies? We've had a ton of them over the last few years, but there haven't been any this year that I can think of. Did they all get canned after a few of them (Golden Compass, Eragon) bombed?

Pretty much. They cost a ton to make since you can't really use real world assets. The closest stuff we're getting is Harry Potter (and that doesn't really count). HBO is working on "A Song of Ice and Fire" as a series, though.

Besides, most fantasy sucks ass.

[Talon]

HBO is working on "A Song of Ice and Fire" as a series, though.

Correction: HBO ordered a pilot for that series. No guarantee that thing will be going through 'cause it'll be competing for maybe a dozen other shows to be picked up.

All I know is nothing can be worse than this True Blood crap. Alan Ball apparently needed to balance the greatness of SFU with a show that carries the worst script in modern television history.

[pomeroy]

Correction: HBO ordered a pilot for that series. No guarantee that thing will be going through 'cause it'll be competing for maybe a dozen other shows to be picked up.

Not really a correction, Talon, they are working on it.

Here's hoping it's good.

[Talon]

Not really a correction, Talon, they are working on it.

Here's hoping it's good.

I guess technically they're one and the same, but "working on a show" doesn't by any means that the show will see the light of day. I just wanted to clarify that point.

HBO's also likely working on a show based on a bunch of old ass superheroes who have to deal with the misery of everyday living. Or something...?

[DoctorFinger]

Speaking of LOTR, where are the fantasy movies? We've had a ton of them over the last few years, but there haven't been any this year that I can think of. Did they all get canned after a few of them (Golden Compass, Eragon) bombed?There was a fantasy resurgence, but it was small. It was replaced by the superhero boom; a little cheaper and a lot easier to market. But pretty much every big fantasy series was optioned, and a lot of them (the Dark is Rising for example) even got made.

Frankly fantasy is a really tough sell for some people, even harder than sci-fi. Too many people see elves, swords and magic and immediately start thinking of cosplayers.

BTW, the Wiki list of fantasy films (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fantasy_films:2000s). Apparently they're making a Shannara movie too.

[Talon]

Speaking of LOTR, where are the fantasy movies? We've had a ton of them over the last few years, but there haven't been any this year that I can think of. Did they all get canned after a few of them (Golden Compass, Eragon) bombed?

We've got 3 more Harry Potter movies(they're splitting up 7), the rest of the Narnia books, and the Wheel of Time to wrap up. Also, the two Hobbit movies from Del Toro and Jackson.

We still got plenty more to go.

[pomeroy]

We've got 3 more Harry Potter movies(they're splitting up 7), the rest of the Narnia books, and the Wheel of Time to wrap up. Also, the two Hobbit movies from Del Toro and Jackson.

We still got plenty more to go.

I highly doubt you'll see every Narnia book. They've greenlit the next one, but if the thrid one drops as much as Caspian did from Wardrobe...I'll be surprised if they make it to the end of the series.

[J Arcane]

I don't think I can recall a less exciting announcement since the Sims IKEA expansion.

Awful, awful, trite crap, getting dragged out into a bunch of licensed crap so the holding company can keep milking the guys corpse long after he's since rotted to dust.

[MagGnome]

I guess there are still a few fantasy movies on the way. It was nice while it lasted, even though most of them were crap.

Still, I want to see more movies like Pan's Labyrinth. That movie was fantastic.

[Ondo]

Apparently they're making a Shannara movie too.
Fortunately, the movie is not based off the first book, which copied Lord of the Rings wholesale. Instead they're doing the second, The Elfstones of Shannara, which was actually original and seems like it would work well as a movie.

[BlackPete]

I await news of the conversation system with bated breath.

They've already hired an animation team for the hair tugging and twirling emoticons, as well as for folding chairs, smoothing out dresses, and staring at laces.

[J Arcane]

They've already hired an animation team for the hair tugging and twirling emoticons, as well as for folding chairs, smoothing out dresses, and staring at laces.
Meanwhile the only male convo options will involve evil sneers.

[cassiusregicide]

Meanwhile the only male convo options will involve evil sneers.

Don't forget looking as hard as the swords they wield.

[pomeroy]

Don't forget looking as hard as the swords they wield.

The textures for the faces of the men will be the same as the granite in the game. :p

[BlackPete]

Meanwhile the only male convo options will involve evil sneers.

Men have their evil sneers and women will have their perpetual glares.

[neutralism]

...as well as begin work on an MMO.

Pay $15 a month for the "privilege" of accompanying a bunch of aggravating and annoying women on a never ending quest to see who can sniff and tug their braids the most? I don't see the wisdom in this... :mad:

[Ancalagon]

Men have their evil sneers and women will have their perpetual glares.

"tugs his braids and smoothes his skirts"

[kropotkin]

I liked the original game as it was quite engaging. What worries me most is the last sentence: " Red Eagle Games will produce multiple games, as well as begin work on an MMO."

*sigh* Here we go again. Red Eagle Games are a company I haven't heard of yet here we have them promising to make an MMO based on a 12 book fantasy franchise. OH FOR PITY'S SAKE! When will people understand that making an MMO takes a huge amount of investment in both time and energy to even approach the quality of the likes of EQ2 or LotRO to cite some fairly adequate titles, let alone WoW. Just give us some really entertaining RPG's like The Witcher and we'll be happy!

[cassiusregicide]

I liked the original game as it was quite engaging. What worries me most is the last sentence: " Red Eagle Games will produce multiple games, as well as begin work on an MMO."

*sigh* Here we go again. Red Eagle Games are a company I haven't heard of yet here we have them promising to make an MMO based on a 12 book fantasy franchise. OH FOR PITY'S SAKE! When will people understand that making an MMO takes a huge amount of investment in both time and energy to even approach the quality of the likes of EQ2 or LotRO to cite some fairly adequate titles, let alone WoW. Just give us some really entertaining RPG's like The Witcher and we'll be happy!

Not to mention that the series doesn't lead to a good MMO dynamic. In the books, under almost all circumstances a channeler beats a nonchanneler in a fight. And 99% of the channelers have already been named and given complete backstories. What does the player get to do?

[Cit Phil Cit]

WoW is the fattest of fat pot-bellied treasure pigs you could ever expect to find in the gaming market. It would take a smooth-talker of moderate skill to get stupid investors to pony up some capital for the endless wastes of MMOs you see in the market.

I am dismayed to think of money that is probably now being tossed at Herve Caen at Interplay for a Fallout MMO - or something like it. He doesn't deserve it.

[MosBen]

Talon, I've been going back and forth on Tru Blood. I have to say though that the most recent episode gave me a little hope. The script wasn't as bad as some of the early episodes were and it looks like they're opening the world up a little beyond "this girl and the vampire she bones." Tru Blood has benefitted quite a bit from the fact that I'm going to watch Entrourage anyway.

Doc mentioned The Dark Is Rising, which I actually watched for the first time just last night. Man, I can't think of a single series from my childhood that I have stronger positive feelings for which have been untainted by growing up (unlike Narnia, where some of the sexism pissed me off as I got older). On the other hand, I can't think of any movie where each act got progressively worse to such a high degree. The first act was actually quite good. The second act was extremely bland. Then the final act was atrociously bad. It's a shame we probably won't get to see more of the series.

Ondo, I never got into the WoT books, but it seems several people here started out strong on the series and then eventually got distracted and never came back. For me, Shanarra was that series. I liked the first few, but then, suddenly, I just didn't care anymore.

[LongStepMantis]

I liked the original game as it was quite engaging. What worries me most is the last sentence: " Red Eagle Games will produce multiple games, as well as begin work on an MMO."

*sigh* Here we go again. Red Eagle Games are a company I haven't heard of yet here we have them promising to make an MMO based on a 12 book fantasy franchise. OH FOR PITY'S SAKE! When will people understand that making an MMO takes a huge amount of investment in both time and energy to even approach the quality of the likes of EQ2 or LotRO to cite some fairly adequate titles, let alone WoW. Just give us some really entertaining RPG's like The Witcher and we'll be happy!

They don't have to bother with any of that...as they will most likely make a watered-down, barely relating to the original story knockoff in a vain attempt to cash in on some of that "WoW moneys".

It seems like a dozen MMOs get announced every day anymore, and a very, very small amount of them are worth shit.

MMO's...the new "we're gonna ram these down your throat till you puke" genre. Retiring champ...First Person Shooters. ;)

[Wolvie]

More WoT games? Cool.

There is one thing that I'm wondering. How can they cram 12 books worth of story into three movies? They could barely fit all of the story into three books worth of story in the LOTR movie trilogy.
I guess they'll do the abbreviated cliff notes version of the story in the movies.

[DoctorFinger]

Pay $15 a month for the "privilege" of accompanying a bunch of aggravating and annoying women on a never ending quest to see who can sniff and tug their braids the most? I don't see the wisdom in this... :mad:I'd hope they go the Star Wars route and give us an MMO set during the Age of Legends. That way you can have unlimited channelers without screwing with canon.

[evilgoodwin]

They could probably do it in a trilogy. Just cut out all of the descriptions of peoples clothes and their Houses and etc. etc.

I liked Rand at the beginning. But to me, now, he's like Peter from Heroes. Starts off decent, wanting to save the world, becomes a whiner angsty jerk who thinks he knows best.

Oh, and I'm also bitter that I finished book 11 about a week before he died. That'll ruin anyone's day.

Might have to reread them... Started Sword of Truth right after and Song of Ice and Fire after that, so it's hard to keep track of so many characters.