Summary
- Secret Level’s creators have revealed they wanted to make a Doom x Halo crossover episode.
- The idea was pitched to Xbox but the studio didn’t like the idea.
- Perhaps it will be a part of season two as Secret Level has already been confirmed to return.
Secret Level‘s first season took 14 games – plus a handful of PlayStation IPs for its finale – and adapted them into short TV episodes, none of them running over 20 minutes. Everything from Pac-Man to Unreal Tournament made the cut in season one, but equally as interesting is what didn’t, including a Halo x Doom crossover Secret Level’s creators pitched but Xbox turned down.
Speaking with Collider, Secret Level writers Tim Miller and Dave Wilson noted that they have indeed seen your questions, and in some cases complaints, asking why certain series got an episode when others did not. Miller noted a particular comparison where someone asked why Spelunky got an episode when Halo did not, leading him to reveal the big plans he and Wilson had for Halo in Secret Level but being unable to sell the idea to Xbox.
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Wilson noted that he and Miller are good friends with Doom studio ID Software’s creative director. Wanting to make something fans wouldn’t see anywhere else, whether in games or adaptations, the Secret Level writers considered putting Doomguy and Master Chief in the same episode. Makes sense since not only do the pair of protagonists wear similar-looking armor, but they’re both owned by Xbox.
We wanted to make a Master Chief/Doom Slayer crossover episode, and I spent a whole weekend crafting this impassioned letter of my childhood. And it’s exactly what Tim said; they were like, ‘Nah’.
There’s An Outline For A Master Chief x Doomguy Secret Level Episode Out There Somewhere
Make It Right For Season Two, Xbox
Wilson didn’t clarify whether it was anything more than a simple no from Xbox, but either way, it seems the studio didn’t have any interest in seeing Doomguy and Master Chief teaming up on the small screen. Odd since Xbox said yes to another Secret Level idea – The Outer Worlds.
Miller and Wilson also revealed Secret Level has been in the works since 2021. That means it might have been a matter of months between the Halo x Doom ep being pitched and the first season of the Halo TV show premiering. The lukewarm reception to it and its cancelation after just two seasons might have Xbox regretting it turned down the idea of Master Chief and Doomguy teaming up for a one-off Secret Level episode.
The writers revealed the plan was for season one to be 18 episodes, but for various reasons three of the ideas for Secret Level season one wound up being cut. Season two of Secret Level has already been confirmed, maybe now that Halo doesn’t have its own show, Xbox will be more open to Master Chief being a part of the proceedings. Miller and Wilson also mentioned trying to get a Half-Life episode off the ground. What a get that would be for season two.
Secret Level is a computer-animated anthology series that tells bold, unique, and emotive stories set in popular video game franchise worlds.
- Release Date
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December 10, 2024
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
- Seasons
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1