The Wheel of Time lands in Montréal
The new studio will develop the video game adaption of The Wheel of Time; industry veteran Stéphane D’Astous is appointed Director of Operations
With 15 novels, including a prequel and some 2,750 characters developed by author Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time is an epic fantasy world with an unparalleled depth and breadth. And Montréal takes the lead to adapt this amazing universe into a video game!
Iwot Studios, behind the multi-platform, transmedia development of The Wheel of Time, announces the hiring of industry veteran Stéphane D’Astous as Director of Studio Operations in Montréal. The local team has the mandate to develop a AAA-caliber open-world, role-playing video game, leading to the creation of 200 to 300 jobs.
“Bringing The Wheel of Time to life as an immersive RPG is an ambitious endeavor. It requires a highly qualified leadership team with exceptional experience and vision. There is no one better suited to support this effort than Stéphane. He is a proven asset and will help significantly expand our team in Montreal, tapping into the city’s rich creative landscape”, said Craig Alexander, Studio Head of iwot.
“I’ve spent most of my career seeking out the most exciting video game opportunities in the world and working to give them a strong foothold in Montreal. Iwot games is developing an epic project with The Wheel of Time. Given the city’s outstanding talent pool and creative energy, I’m confident we will create a game that captivates players worldwide”, said Stéphane D’Astous, Director of Operations, iwot Montréal.
“It is an honour to welcome iwot studios’ game division and the Wheel of Time franchise to Montréal. This investment highlights the strength and expertise of our gaming industry,” said Stéphane Paquet, President and CEO of Montréal International. “With more than 250 studios and 15,000 qualified talents behind some of the most successful AAA titles, the broader Québec industry is a hotbed for creativity, expertise, and success. The new iwot team will most certainly contribute to the industry’s future successes!”
The Montreal Gazette covered this announcement, here’s the article! Check out our sector page for more details on Greater Montréal’s video game industry.