The debut of Secret Level on Prime Video highlighted a variety of video game franchises but conspicuously left out two of the most iconic: Halo and Doom.
Director Dave Wilson, together with series creator Tim Miller, disclosed that they made genuine attempts to feature a crossover involving Master Chief and the Doom Slayer.
Despite their aspirations, Microsoft’s decision thwarted their plans.
Crossover Attempts and Microsoft’s Decision
In a chat with Collider, Wilson explained that as Secret Level was a fresh endeavor, gaining backing from some development executives proved challenging.
Many were tied up with existing collaborations with other companies, which led to hesitations about pursuing a crossover that could conflict with those ongoing projects.
Miller took the opportunity to address criticism regarding the absence of Halo from their selected franchises.
He confirmed that Microsoft had been approached concerning Halo, but reasons for their refusal to cooperate remain unclear.
This prompted Miller’s frustration with speculation suggesting that the team ignored Halo in favor of other options.
Creative Endeavors and Future Projects
Wilson shared that the creative team devoted an entire weekend crafting a proposal for the crossover to present to Microsoft.
Unfortunately, their efforts resulted in a rejection, which Wilson found particularly disheartening, especially considering his strong connections with colleagues at both id Software and Microsoft.
As of now, Microsoft is collaborating with Netflix to bring Gears of War to the screen, and the Halo series produced by Paramount has concluded.
Although Doom is not confirmed for any adaptation at this time, there are reports that Peacock is in talks for a potential live-action series.
Reception and Future Seasons
Even without Master Chief and the Doom Slayer, Secret Level still delivered intriguing content.
One episode drew inspiration from The Outer Worlds, a game developed by Microsoft’s subsidiary, Obsidian Entertainment.
Season 1 also showcased franchises associated with Sony, such as Concord, Journey, Little Big Planet, and God of War, while Nintendo properties were notably absent.
Wilson elaborated on their outreach to other gaming franchises, stating that they approached several widely popular titles, only for the complexities of Hollywood to hinder progress.
He opted not to disclose specific franchises they considered for inclusion.
Furthermore, Miller mentioned that the team persistently sought to negotiate with Valve for the rights to Half-Life, but those discussions similarly fell through.
Initial reviews of Secret Level have been mixed.
GameSpot’s critique pointed out that while some elements of the first season succeeded, others did not quite hit the mark.
Work is already underway for a second season; however, fans will have to wait for more information regarding which video game franchises will be featured and when it will premiere.
Source: GameSpot