The Wheel of Time: Series gets a Story Director

[Marine Mike]

The Wheel of Time: The Video Game

Robert Jordan's 44-million-selling Wheel of Time series could be next in line for the Lord of the Rings video game treatment, according to a report from Venturebeat this week.

Plans for a big-budget movie trilogy based on the 12 Wheel of Time books are reportedly underway at Universal Studios, but the video game adaptations will be handled by a startup studio, Red Eagle Games. Red Eagle plans to release at least three games to support the movie trilogy, plus a massively-multiplayer online world based in the Wheel of Time universe, and is already hunting for talented staff.

"We want to hire the rock stars," Red Eagle producer Rick Selvage told Venturebeat. The company is targeting consoles, computers, portable game systems and wireless devices.

If all this buzz is giving you deja vu, you're not alone: a spate of games based on the Lord of the Rings books hit consoles and PCs after Peter Jackson's movie trilogy rekindled interest in the 20th century's most successful fantasy series. Hack-and-slash adventure Return of the King and massively-multiplayer hit Lord of the Rings Online proved critical favorites, and both became big hits with consumers.

Can the Wheel of Time world achieve the same success? Considering the last four books in the series all hit number one on the New York Times best-seller list, and there's already excitement surrounding the planned publishing of the 12th and final tome in 2009, it's something to think about.

The Wheel of Time series gets a story director

Expect blockbuster action in the Wheel of Time videogames. Professional screenwriter Chris Morgan is directing the story for Red Eagle Entertainment’s forthcoming videogame series. Morgan is the writer of numerous Hollywood flicks including such greats as Cellular, Wanted, The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift.

The Wheel of Time series is a mess of cold stares and plot holes, but we’re guessing that’s not why Morgan was given the job as story director. The videogame series is described as a set of games “derived” from Robert Jordan’s fiction, thus -- and we’re guessing here -- writers are need to plug in whatever game-y elements are needed to flesh out the digital experience.

We’re cool with this choice as long as we don’t glimpse Rand steering his horse around slick street bends or evading police in future teaser trailers. That would be a bigger bummer than the typical cold (or icy) stare.

[P@t_Mtl]

Let's hope they do a better job then the first one done back a decade ago, that was just terrible

[Icemage]

I worked my way through the first ten books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan a number of years ago. Lord of the Rings it most certainly is not. The characters are unlikable and annoying while the storyline is only moderately entertaining.

I couldn't bring myself to keep reading the series, and while there actually was a moderately entertaining Wheel of Time game made a number of years back, I'm dubious about any new video game adaptation, since none of the main characters are typical sword-swinging action heroes.

[Jimbo976]

Originally Posted by Icemage

I worked my way through the first ten books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan a number of years ago. Lord of the Rings it most certainly is not. The characters are unlikable and annoying while the storyline is only moderately entertaining.

I couldn't bring myself to keep reading the series, and while there actually was a moderately entertaining Wheel of Time game made a number of years back, I'm dubious about any new video game adaptation, since none of the main characters are typical sword-swinging action heroes.

Wow minus 1 bigtime from me on your post Icemage.

The Wheel of Time is by far my favorite series of books. I have read them all 2 times and cannot wait for the last book.

I'm pretty skeptical they could do such a huge story and cast of characters justice in a MMOG or movie though.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Icemage

I worked my way through the first ten books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan a number of years ago. Lord of the Rings it most certainly is not. The characters are unlikable and annoying while the storyline is only moderately entertaining.

I couldn't bring myself to keep reading the series, and while there actually was a moderately entertaining Wheel of Time game made a number of years back, I'm dubious about any new video game adaptation, since none of the main characters are typical sword-swinging action heroes.

Thats because you didn't read the best book of the series (so far) Knife of Dreams (book 11).

[P@t_Mtl]

I got the whole series on hold for now, fater the final book is release in next year, October 2009, I will read the entire series 1-12 straight. It get's so confusing waiting 2 years between books, too many plots, too many characters too keep track

[Marine Mike]

Right now I'm going on a road trip to Chicago and listening to audio books on the way to and from.

Up on top is the audiobook Twilight (my wife made me do it).


I explained to my wife that just in case that we do not like it we should have a backup. Our backup is: The Eye of the World!

I have a really good feeling that we'll be going to the backup before we hit Indiana, lol.

[CYMBOL]

A trilogy doesn't sound doable - unless you do away with the whole "male half is tainted" storyline. Not much time for the characters to grow.

I'm open to a game, but don't hold much hope for it to be that great.

I stopped reading these around book 8 or 9 and decided to wait for them all to come out - it puts a damper on it that the last one won't be exactly what the author intended.

Looking forward to finishing this series, once it is finished.

[SoCalTiger]

I LOVE the WOT series except for the fact that Robert Jordan is so incredibly over-verbose IMO. While I think a trilogy wouldn't quite do it justice I think you could get away with as little as 4 or 5 movies because IMO a lot of the excess stuff could have been cut right out of the books too. There is a ton of "fluff" starting around book 6-7 that I think could go.

[ps3andlovinit]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

best book of the series (so far) Knife of Dreams (book 11).

Yikes I'm glad I gave up on book 2 or 3 then ...

[Jimbo976]

Yes I agree the 11th book is one of the best. The 10th was the worst IMO.

[saprano]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

Plans for a big-budget movie trilogy based on the 12 Wheel of Time books are reportedly underway at Universal Studios

Is PJ doing these?

[Marquoz]

I got through maybe 3-4 books before I gave up. It got too conveluted for me, and just seemed repetitive. *shrug*

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by saprano

Is PJ doing these?

I'm not too sure, but if he does then I have confidence that it will be good. Unless of course you disliked The Lord of the Rings.

[AikonEnt]

Never heard of these books before. Maybe they weren't such a hit over here in the UK.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by Icemage

I worked my way through the first ten books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan a number of years ago. Lord of the Rings it most certainly is not. The characters are unlikable and annoying while the storyline is only moderately entertaining.

I couldn't bring myself to keep reading the series, and while there actually was a moderately entertaining Wheel of Time game made a number of years back, I'm dubious about any new video game adaptation, since none of the main characters are typical sword-swinging action heroes.

I just bought a random one that I found in a pile, I liked 1/2 of the cast, hated the other 1/2 of the cast and book moved between the 2, so I hated 1/2 the book but liked the other 1/2 of the book.

Not a good enough experience I prefer Mr. Modesitts works alot better.

I feel the saga of recluse deserves movie treatment more... personally.

[gillies]

Working on book 10 now. I kinda' agree with everthing said about the books already but keep reading 'cause I've always loved fantasy. As far as Jordan's writing, I wish I got a nickle for every time one of his female characters adjusted her shawl! I'd be a friggn' millionaire.

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by gillies

Working on book 10 now. I kinda' agree with everthing said about the books already but keep reading 'cause I've always loved fantasy. As far as Jordan's writing, I wish I got a nickle for every time one of his female characters adjusted here shawl! I'd be a friggn' millionaire.

Rofl...

That does seem to happen alot.

[CYMBOL]

Originally Posted by gillies

Working on book 10 now. I kinda' agree with everthing said about the books already but keep reading 'cause I've always loved fantasy. As far as Jordan's writing, I wish I got a nickle for every time one of his female characters adjusted her shawl! I'd be a friggn' millionaire.

Funny!

I like Fantasy, but it's difficult to find good fantasy and good sci-fi.

I liked the Robert Jordan books and will finish the last three when the final one comes out.

It's really cool that all the books I've been a big fan of have gone on to be optioned into movies/tv.

J.R.R Tolkien - Lord of the Rings - turned into a great trilogy.

Terry Goodkind, Sword of Truth Series - now a t.v. show, albeit, a fairly bad t.v. show that does a terrible job of representing the books and their characters.

George R.R. Martin, Song of Fire and Ice series - got the greenlight for an HBO production - high, high hopes for this one! Thank God it went to HBO so it won't be dumbed down like Sword of Truth.

And now Robert Jordan's series picking up steam.

This is a great time to be a fan of Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Comic books!

[dk3dknight]

Originally Posted by CYMBOL

Funny!

I like Fantasy, but it's difficult to find good fantasy and good sci-fi.

I liked the Robert Jordan books and will finish the last three when the final one comes out.

It's really cool that all the books I've been a big fan of have gone on to be optioned into movies/tv.

J.R.R Tolkien - Lord of the Rings - turned into a great trilogy.

Terry Goodkind, Sword of Truth Series - now a t.v. show, albeit, a fairly bad t.v. show that does a terrible job of representing the books and their characters.

George R.R. Martin, Song of Fire and Ice series - got the greenlight for an HBO production - high, high hopes for this one! Thank God it went to HBO so it won't be dumbed down like Sword of Truth.

And now Robert Jordan's series picking up steam.

This is a great time to be a fan of Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Comic books!

Yeah but next needs to be L.E. Moddesitt who is a sci fi and fantasy writer.

My favorite...