‘Secret Level’ Had To Convince Game Developers To Collaborate

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As a veteran gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in virtual worlds since the Atari 2600 days, I must say that “Secret Level” is a triumphant tribute to the diverse and dynamic world of video games. This anthology series, reminiscent of a digital Easter egg hunt, expertly weaves together stories from some of gaming’s most iconic franchises, all while maintaining an unexpected cohesion that keeps viewers engaged.

Video game adaptations are starting to gain significant popularity, as demonstrated by the success of shows like Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us. However, these shows only adapt a single game. Prime Video’s Secret Level aims to surpass this trend. Just like your little cousin who unintentionally spends thousands on loot boxes, Secret Level is aiming to gather everything. This animated anthology consists of 15 episodes that tell original stories from some of the most popular modern video games (including Concord). The challenge to get all the video game developers to participate in the series was a tough level to conquer on its own.

According to Dave Wilson, the executive producer, the aim was to encompass a wide variety of gaming experiences, ranging from indie and nostalgic titles to big-budget blockbusters, as well as games set in different time periods, horror, science fiction, and fantasy. This diverse scope is indeed reflected in the new anthology, which seamlessly transitions from ‘Warhammer 40k’ to ‘Pac-Man’ and numerous other games. However, gathering a number of video game creators for this project proved challenging, given that many of them are rival companies. Tim Miller, creator and executive producer of ‘Love, Death & Robots’, shed light on this difficulty:

Unlike many other shows, [Love, Death & Robots] features unique tales that you probably haven’t encountered before, as I handpick each one. What makes this interesting is that these creators are often rivals, so coordinating them to work together towards a common goal can be quite challenging.

It’s fortunate that Miller and Wilson have been well-established figures in the video game industry for over three decades, building strong connections along the way. As Wilson reminisced, he admitted that persuading others to join their venture wasn’t always easy. “The project was unique,” he explained, “There isn’t anything quite like it out there. So, I believe when you approach people and say, ‘Let’s unite to honor gaming and gamers worldwide,’ if there’s no tangible example yet, it can cause unease.” Ultimately, Wilson believes they were granted the rights because “they trusted that we wouldn’t misuse their intellectual property.

‘Secret Level’ Has Already Been Renewed for Season 2

Yesterday, the concluding episodes of “Secret Level” became available on Prime Video, and the platform shows great confidence in the series’ future as an ongoing venture. Simultaneously, it was revealed that this anthology show has been given a green light for another season. The first season featured such games as 40k, Pac-Man, Dungeons & Dragons, Armored Core, The Outer Worlds, Concord, Unreal Tournament, Sifu, and others.

Announcing Season 2 brings excitement for more video game adaptations, and fans are eagerly compiling wishlists. Popular titles such as Elden Ring, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Assassin’s Creed, and BioShock are high on the list. However, Tim Miller has a different game in mind for Season 2 – he mentioned to ScreenRant that he wants to create an episode based on what he calls “the granddaddy of all video games,” potentially making a Pong adaptation possible.

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2024-12-18 22:02