Secret Level: The Quest for Gaming Icons in Animated Tribute

The realm of video games occupies a unique spot in the affection of countless individuals, and recent efforts have aimed to pay tribute to this vibrant culture. Secret Level, produced by Tim Miller and Amazon Prime Video, strives to celebrate beloved video games through a series of animated specials that highlight iconic characters and titles. Yet, some fans expressed disappointment at the absence of certain favorites, including well-known figures such as Master Chief and Doom Slayer.

In a conversation with Collider, both Tim Miller and supervising director Dave Wilson shared insights on the potential inclusion of these characters in the series. They revealed that at one point, there were discussions about featuring Master Chief and Doom Slayer together in a single episode. The creative director at id Software, a close acquaintance of theirs, along with the team at Microsoft, was approached for this crossover concept. Wilson noted, "We really wanted to create something that fans have not yet seen in the gaming world, like a crossover."

He elaborated on his dedication by explaining how he spent an entire weekend crafting an enthusiastic letter that expressed his passion for the idea. Unfortunately, the response was not favorable, leading to disappointment on their end.

When discussing why certain characters did not appear in the series, Tim Miller expressed his frustration with online criticism. He pointed out that it’s not as simple as many might think, and there were indeed conversations regarding the inclusion of franchises like Halo. Their commitment to honoring fans and their favorite titles remains clear.

Looking ahead, there is already excitement for a second season of Secret Level, which opens up the possibility of seeing more cherished gaming heroes make their debut.