As we eagerly await the launch of Amazon's The Wheel of Time on Prime Video, IGN will debut exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the upcoming adaptation of Robert Jordan's iconic fantasy series over the next four weeks leading up to the premiere on November 19.

While we were on the set of The Wheel of Time in Prague, back in 2019, we spoke to Rosamund Pike, who is portraying the powerful Aes Sedai known as Moiraine Damodred to learn more about her character.

For the full interview with the rest of the cast, including Daniel Henney as Lan Mandragoran, Josha Stradowski as Rand al'Thor, and more, check out the video below or at the top of the page:

"Moiraine is a woman who you never quite know where you stand with her," Pike informed IGN. "In our show, she's designed to keep an audience guessing as to her motives. She's someone you always have to be on your toes with. She's surprisingly warm. Although she's feared, so that makes her an interesting balance, because there's a lot of talk about Aes Sedai in the world of The Wheel of Time. There are many people who have heard of Aes Sedai and have varying conceptions about what they are. People believe they're monsters, people believe they're to be feared, people believe they're in league with the Dark One, and some believe they're a force for good."

IGN can also reveal an exclusive photo of Pike's Moiraine Damodred and Daniel Henney's Lan Mondragoran, below:

What did you think of the image, and what are you excited to see in Season 1? Let us know in the comments. And for more Wheel of Time exclusives, be sure to check our trailer breakdown with showrunner Rafe Judkins.

David Griffin is the TV Streaming Editor for IGN. Say hi on Twitter.

Puzzles & Survival Drops Halloween Treats for All

What would make a game that already features city and alliance building, survival elements, puzzles, and zombies, even better? Halloween!

Puzzles & Survival, the multi-genre mashup that has found a growing audience, is celebrating Halloween with a special in-game Locust Plague event where swarms of mutant locusts are attacking sanctuaries. Players must rally their allies to take on this monstrous new menace, get to the root of this disaster, and save Earth.

An ominous October onslaught

Puzzles & Survival’s Halloween Locust Plague event presents players with a near-Biblical challenge—clouds of locusts are suddenly descending on the land and wreaking havoc upon survivors who have already had to endure a zombie-infested, apocalyptic wasteland.

The swarm of mutant locusts is an existential threat, laying siege to your sanctuary and destroying your precious food supply. If humanity as we know it is to survive, you must scour the map for mutant locust swarms, initiate or join rallies against their bosses, and do whatever is necessary to exterminate them. Anyone brave enough to take on this challenge will receive a handsome haul of Halloween goodies.

How Puzzles & Survival hit 30 million downloads

Daring to mix several genres of games into one game is a bold move, and the Puzzles and Survival developers have managed to find the right formula to create a unique gaming experience. A zombie game that cleverly combines classic match-3 gameplay with strategic wargame elements, it’s been downloaded more than 30 million times and comes highly recommended on Google Play.

The turn-based match-3 gameplay is intuitive and addictive. You have to match tiles to deal damage to zombies and other players. Puzzle game players will excel quickly at pulling off massive combos to defeat their foes, while folks who aren’t proficient puzzlers will have to develop their skill.

When matching tiles, you are also slowly charging your heroes’ skill gauge. When the gauge is full, you can unleash your hero's specialty skill on the enemy. There are various types of hero skills: Damage, Buff, Debuff, Damage Over Time, and more, and they add depth and destruction to the puzzle mechanics.

A rainbow of heroes at your command

Similar to other strategy wargames, you need allies to survive in the world of Puzzles & Survival. The resources obtained from the match-3 gameplay help you upgrade heroes. As they become stronger, so do your sanctuary and alliance. Which heroes will champion your cause? It’s up to you and should be based on what type of player you are, and what type of strategy you plan to implement.

The hero roster in this game shuns stereotypes and is saluted for its diversity, featuring heroes from a myriad of backgrounds and races. There’s a tough-as-nails, dual sword wielding Japanese school girl, a fearsome dude named Dr. J who used to be a jester, and many more.

Locust swarm TVC comes online globally!

Additionally, an exclusive locust-themed TVC made by the Puzzles & Survival team is dropping globally for a limited time, so whether you’ve already played the game or haven’t created an account yet, now is the time to log-in and not miss out on these free Halloween treats.

Redeem secret gift code to claim FREE supplies!

The Locust Plague event presents an all-new hellish experience for fans of post-apocalyptic games, and promises to be a challenge to even those commanders who thrive on doom and gloom. As such, commanders may punch-in the following code to attain supplies in preparation for the incoming Plague: pnslocust.

Everyone can download the game for free now at https://pns.onelink.me/6tpA/locustpns. Visit the Facebook Fan Page at https://www.facebook.com/PnS.37Games.

Pizza Pops are not only one of the best snacks for gamers, but also for anyone who needs the deliciousness of pizza in minutes. In celebration of a Canada’s #1 selling pizza snack and a new contest that could award you with free access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, we thought we’d share with you the eight games that are popping off right now in the wide world of video games.

From the Left 4 Dead spiritual successor Back 4 Blood to the return of Master Chief in Halo Infinite to the epic tale of Zagreus and his journey out of Hell in Hades, gamers around the world have no shortage of incredible experiences just waiting to be played.

With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate you can play all of these amazing games plus over 100 more across PC, Xbox consoles, phones and tablets. By purchasing certain boxes of Pizza Pops, you can win 1 of 10,000 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate codes to start playing Sea of Thieves, Marvel’s Avengers, and over 100 other great games you can play today, as well as Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 the day they release. Each box contains a pin code, and there is no limit to how many codes you can enter at pizzapopsgamepass.ca in your chance to win one of these exciting prizes that can be worth over $200 CAD.

With the holiday season right around the corner and some colder months ahead, here are the best games that you need to check out and dive right into alongside your favorite Pizza Pops

Psychonauts 2

Even though Psychonauts 2 was released 16 years after the original, its arrival is as welcome today as it was back in 2005. This story picks up only a couple days after Psychonauts and the VR-only The Rhombus of Ruin and it gives us another opportunity to hang out with Raz and his friends. Luckily, this sequel brings with it many of the modern advancements we’ve come to enjoy without removing any of the charm and fun of the first adventure. The platforming and combat have been greatly improved and make simple actions like moving, jumping, and attacking even that much more enjoyable. One of the standout parts of Psychonauts 2 is its varied level design that will surely put a wide-grinned smile on your face until their credits roll. From playing life-size pachinko to jumping into a library book and playing in a 2D level for a bit, its creativity is hard to beat. Oh, and one area has you joined by a hilarious ball of light voiced by Jack Black, which can never be a bad thing.

Marvel’s Avengers

Following the release of Marvel’s Avengers’ Black Panther: War for Wakanda expansion, Microsoft made the big announcement that Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics’ game about Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and all the previously released free content would be available with Xbox Game Pass for PC, Console, and Cloud on September 30. Not only will players be able to suit up as Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Ms. Marvel, Black Widow, and Thor, but also as the previously mentioned Black Panther, Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop. This experience includes a full story campaign, three post-launch campaigns, and an ever-evolving multiplayer suite that allows you and your friends to… well… Assemble!

Hades

Hades won countless Game of the Year Awards from sites all over the internet, including IGN, and for good reason. This game about escaping the depths of the Underworld of Greek myth is one that just begs you to jump back in after you will inevitably die. Not only do you learn how to survive the dangers that lurk below, but each new run provides you with more story to let you learn about this world and the adventure of Zagreus. So, choose either the Stygius the Stygian Blade, Varatha the Eternal Spear, Aegis the Shield of Chaos, Coronacht the Heart-Seeking Bow, the Twin Fists of Malphon, or Exagryph the Adamant Rail and master this rogue-lite that dares you to defy your Dad and break free from Hell, no matter how many tries it takes.

Halo Infinite

Following a streak of wildly successful multiplayer technical preview weekends, Halo Infinite is well on its way to being one of the most anticipated games of 2021. While the multiplayer suite is free-to-play, Xbox Game Pass members will also gain access to the world-class campaign that will tell the latest story in the Master Chief saga. While it suffered a big delay that pushed it past the launch of the Xbox Series X, the extra time afforded to 343 Industries may have been just what was needed to create a game that lives up to the legend of the Master Chief himself.

The Ascent

While everyone was talking about Cyberpunk 2077, Neon Giant was hard at work at their own take on the cyberpunk genre with The Ascent. This Diablo-style action-RPG features a gritty and technologically advanced world that is just begging to be explored. As you make your way through its dangerously beautiful levels, you will earn better and better loot, level up and gain access to new powers, and be awe-struck by the visuals. Its 15-20 hour campaign is a perfect way to spend some time waiting for the bigger holiday releases of 2021, and you may even find an experience that rivals the most triple of AAAs.

Forza Horizon 5

Playground Games are masters at their craft, and now, with the power of the Xbox Series X, Forza Horizon 5 looks to drive to even higher heights. From parachuting into the game’s Gran Caldera Volcano to driving through the urban streets of Guanajuato to driving on the beach of a picturesque coast, Forza Horizon 5 is a game that will constantly surprise and delight and leave you with a ton of activities to partake in. Oh, and did we mention there will be over 426 vehicles to drive and a wealth of updates that will follow post-launch? This is one game that won’t be leaving your console anytime soon.

Back 4 Blood

When Turtle Rock Studios announced Back 4 Blood back in 2019, fans of the Left 4 Dead series let out a collective cheer that could be heard around the world. This spiritual successor to Valve’s beloved games aims to bring the addictive co-op zombie-killing gameplay of the originals to 2021 with new features and state-of-the-art technology that will be as fun as it is terrifying. You and up to three friends will be able to take on hordes and hordes of zombies, but this time with a new deck building system. Players will bring some of these cards with them to each level, and these cards – which can be part of either Reflex, Discipline, Brawn, or Fortune categories – grant bonuses and buffs to speed, stamina, and more. However, there are also corruption cards that will make things just that much more difficult by adding more fog to make it harder to see or placing a giant Ogre at the start of a level.

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves is, without a doubt, the ultimate pirate fantasy that allows you and your friends to sail the seas to your heart’s content. While it may have launched with a lack of content, the support from Rare has been unmatched and they have turned it into a game that is not only filled to the brim with treasures waiting to be found and plundered, but also a free Pirates of the Caribbean story that has you living the Pirate’s Life alongside Jack Sparrow himself. While the game itself is a blast, it also features some of the most beautiful water we’ve ever seen. However, don’t get too distracted, as a rival pirate ship may be just around the corner waiting to steal what is rightfully (at least in your eyes) yours.

These are only some of the over 100 games just waiting for you on Xbox Game Pass through the end of 2021 and beyond, and there are so many from all types of genres available that are just waiting to be discovered.

If that sounds great, don’t forget that purchasing specifically marked boxes of Pizza Pops will give you a chance to win 1 of 10,000 Xbox Game Pass Ultimate codes to give you access to this incredible library instantly and all future games headed there like Halo Infinite this December. Today just may be your lucky day, so be sure to enter the pin code that comes with each box at https://www.pizzapopsgamepass.ca/ for your chance to win one of these exciting prizes that just may be worth over $200 CAD.

Ana De Armas is reportedly in talks to play the lead role in the upcoming John Wick spinoff, Ballerina.

As reported by Deadline, the Knives Out and No Time To Die actress could be set to star in the film, which will centre around a young female assassin who is motivated to seek out the people responsible for killing her family and bring them to justice.

The character that the spinoff will follow has actually previously been seen in the franchise before. As the anticipated spinoff's title suggests, the film will be based on the ballerina briefly seen in John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum who at the time was training to become an assassin.

If De Armas is to play the ballerina in the spinoff it will mark a change in actor, since American ballet dancer Unity Phelan portrayed the character in John Wick 3.

Ballerina was first rumored to be in the works in 2017 when it was reported that Lionsgate had come out on top in the race for the rights to make the movie. As part of Deadline's article, the outlet suggests that the budget for the film could be somewhere between $50-80 million, though notes that it's still unclear as to whether Keanu Reaves will make a cameo appearance.

As previously reported by Deadline, the film is set to be directed by Les Wiseman, while its script is being written by Shay Hatten. The American screenwriter has an impressive resume behind him, having already worked on John Wick: Chapter 3 as well as Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead.

Ballerina isn't the only John Wick spinoff currently in the works. Lionsgate is also expanding the franchise through The Continental – a prequel series set 40 years before the events of the movies. It was recently reported that The Continental will be a limited series with three 90-minute specials. While fans' hopes for the show remain high, the series sparked discussion on social media recently as it was reported that controversial actor Mel Gibson would play a starring role.

Jared Moore is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Photos of what appear to be Meta's smartwatch has leaked, featuring what looks to be a front-facing camera and a rounded screen.

As published by Bloomberg, the image of the device shows a watch with a large display that makes it look more like an Apple Watch compared to fitness trackers like Google's Fitbit and Garmin. A front-facing camera is at the bottom of the watch's display, and a control button on the right side of it.

The image, according to Bloomberg's report, was found inside an app called Facebook View that controls smart glasses that have been made as part of a collaboration with Ray-Ban and Meta (formerly known as Facebook). App developer Steve Moser discovered the image and shared it with Bloomberg.

The front-facing camera differentiates this potential Meta smart watch from other competitors, and suggests that it will be used for taking pictures or for videoconferencing. Given the announcement of Facebook's rebrand into Meta yesterday and its commitment to building out the Metaverse, it certainly makes sense for the watch to have these kinds of features.

Bloomberg's sources say that Meta is planning to launch its first smart watch in 2022, but the decision hasn't been finalized yet. Three generations of the smart watch are reportedly being developed to release at different time frames.

In other Facebook/Meta news, the next Oculus VR headset is in development and currently known as Project Cambria. And in the future, Oculus headsets won't require a personal Facebook account to use. Meanwhile, the new Apple Watch Series 7 is available for pre-order.