"Hope and Optimism" - Stéphane D'Astous on Iwot Games and The Wheel of Time RPG

Iwot Games, the developer of an upcoming open-world RPG set in the Wheel of Time universe, has appointed Stéphane D'Astous as its director of studio operations. The goal is to expand the studio to 200-300 employees in Montreal over the next few years. Iwot Games is a subsidiary of Iwot Studios, a transmedia company that manages various IP opportunities related to the Wheel of Time series. D'Astous was previously the director of operations at Krafton's Montreal studio and has experience in founding and building studios, including Eidos Montreal and Square Enix Montreal. The Wheel of Time books have sold over 100 million copies, and the Amazon Prime series has just released its third season. D'Astous discussed his new role, the challenges of recruiting staff in the current gaming landscape, and the potential of the Wheel of Time franchise. He noted that the franchise's existing fan base and the studio's flexible decision-making process will be beneficial in developing the game. D'Astous also mentioned that he is excited about the project, having binge-watched the Amazon Prime series after his first interview with Iwot founders Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon. The studio plans to recruit a core team of 12-15 developers and aims to have a team of 30-50 people within the next 12 months, with a focus on concept development. D'Astous expressed his enthusiasm for the project, citing the need for hope and optimism in the gaming industry.