As an analyst with over two decades of experience in the gaming industry, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment and frustration when it comes to the missed opportunity of a Halo-Doom crossover. I remember the excitement that swelled within me when Microsoft first announced Steven Spielberg would be directing a Halo TV show back in 2013, only for that enthusiasm to be dampened by the final product.
Fast forward to today, and we have Tim Miller and Dave Wilson of Secret Level expressing their interest in creating a crossover between these two iconic franchises, yet Microsoft turned them down. It’s like they were holding the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and decided not to enter because they weren’t feeling up to it that day.
The idea of seeing Master Chief and Doomguy teaming up to take down flood-infested demons is so tantalizing, it makes my heart race like a Warthog on steroids. I can almost hear the dialogue now: “I need a weapon!” “Here, have this BFG.”
But alas, it seems we’re destined to keep dreaming about this crossover, much like me waiting for that elusive Call of Duty 3 remastered. It’s enough to make one feel as though they’ve been playing a game on the hardest difficulty setting without any cheat codes.
On a lighter note, I suppose we can always console ourselves with the thought that maybe Microsoft will change their minds once they realize they’ve missed out on what could have been the ultimate crossover event since Peanut Butter and Jelly. In the meantime, I’ll be over here, dreaming of a Halo-Doom crossover fanfic where Chief and Doomguy go on a double date with Lara Croft and Samus Aran. Now that would be a game night to remember!
I can vividly recall the moment I learned that Xbox was developing a Halo TV series, not the announcement of the Paramount TV show, but rather the exciting news in 2013 that Steven Spielberg would be at the helm. That’s over a decade ago now.
During the period when Microsoft unveiled and released the Xbox One, the Halo TV series was presented as part of their strategy to provide all forms of entertainment in a single device. This move aimed to mark a fresh era for Microsoft, focusing more on developing and delivering engaging content to customers.
For years, we kept hearing reassurances about the upcoming Halo TV series, but then came the disappointment we call Master Chef. Fans worldwide clutched their gaming controllers in anticipation of a cinematic masterwork. Instead, they got a show that fell short not only of capturing the essence of the franchise, but also failed to deliver an engaging sci-fi series.
When I learned the helmet was coming off, it felt like the rumble of distant plasma grenades reverberating through the city. The lore was either neglected or rewritten, resulting in a peculiar love story between Master Chief and a character other than Cortana. It’s one of the most straightforward elements to get right. I must admit, the subsequent news left me bewildered.
Microsoft said they weren’t interested
In an interview with Collider, Tim Miller and Dave Wilson, creators of the new animated anthology series titled Secret Level, shared some intriguing details that left us all surprised and curious. For those unfamiliar, Secret Level explores fifteen distinct video game worlds. Produced by Blur Studios and Amazon MGM Studios, it features popular characters like Pac-Man, Warhammer, Sifu, among others, in its debut season. What’s particularly puzzling is the absence of certain games that many expected to see.
When asked if the showrunners pursued specific games, Tim Miller said, “I find it a bit irritating when I read online comments such as, ‘Hey, these people chose Spelunky instead of Halo? What’s up with that?’ To which I respond, ‘Come on, you think we didn’t discuss Halo with them?’
Later on, Dave Wilson expressed, “The creative director at ID [Software] is more than just a colleague to us, as well as those at Microsoft, and so we took the opportunity to make a strong request. You see, both Tim and I have always dreamed of creating something unique in the gaming world, such as crossovers. Specifically, we envisioned a fusion of Master Chief and Doom Slayer, which I poured my heart into by writing a heartfelt letter reminiscent of my childhood. However, their response was a firm ‘No’.
In simpler terms, Microsoft proposed an opportunity for you to work on a Halo or Doom project with showrunners captivated by these worlds, aiming to create something exceptional. However, you declined this chance, even though Blur Studios, who have previously worked on several Halo games, were leading development. This could have made your job much easier for you.
As someone who has spent countless years honing my craft and pouring my heart and soul into a project, I can empathize with the disappointment that comes from seeing it not meet its intended success. Having been there myself, I understand the frustration of putting everything you’ve got into something, only to have it fall short.
In this particular case, the Halo show that was released after nearly a decade of work faced cancellation due to poor reception. It’s easy to feel discouraged and wonder if perhaps the effort put forth might not have been in vain, but I believe it’s important to take a step back and consider the alternative.
Looking at what was ultimately delivered, it’s hard to imagine that things could have gone any worse. The creative process is never easy, and there are always going to be ups and downs along the way. But at the end of the day, all we can do is learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward.
So, while it may be tempting to feel disheartened by the outcome, I encourage everyone involved in the production of the Halo show to remember that they gave it their best shot, and that’s something to be proud of. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll look back on this experience as a stepping stone towards even greater success.
Why didn’t Microsoft say “Yah” instead of “Nah”?
Following the debut of the Halo TV series and job cuts at 343 Industries, Halo is in dire need of a victory. Even if a hypothetical crossover between Halo and Doom receives mixed feedback, it would still surpass what Paramount has delivered – though perhaps that’s the problem.
At present, Microsoft might permit another party to create a Halo TV series. Following Paramount’s unsuccessful run, a successful spinoff like Secret Level could potentially strain the relationship between the two companies. While Halo didn’t fare well, Microsoft has experienced success with Amazon and their critically acclaimed adaptation of Fallout. Additionally, Netflix is actively developing several Gears of War projects; there are still numerous IPs that Microsoft has yet to exploit.
In my perspective, avoiding burning bridges with a potential collaborator on a future project is always wise. Just because Master Sheets didn’t resonate with viewers doesn’t mean Paramount lacks talent in adapting video games. If you take a look at Sonic’s triumph, it’s evident that success can be achieved when the source material is respected. Gaming enthusiasts aren’t enigmatic; they can be understood and catered to effectively.
If Microsoft had agreed to their proposal, perhaps Paramount might have perceived it as a tacit admission from Microsoft that the TV series they distributed wasn’t up to par. It may seem far-fetched, but I’ve witnessed corporations make decisions based on seemingly trivial matters before. Take the almost-cancellation of the globally adored Spider-Man franchise by Disney and Sony as an example.
If Microsoft had agreed, it could have been perceived as an acknowledgment by Microsoft that the TV series they distributed was subpar. It might seem irrational, but companies have halted projects over seemingly trivial matters before. For instance, remember the near-cancellation of the Spider-Man franchise between Disney and Sony, which had broken numerous box office records?
That doesn’t mean we don’t deserve better
In conclusion, the devoted followers of this series are entitled to something superior. Imagine the thrill if we could witness the Doom Slayer and Master Chief battling flood-corrupted demons to protect humanity. With little dialogue, say when Chief shouts, “I need a weapon,” and the Doomguy responds by tossing him a BFG with a nod. This scenario practically writes itself!
Following another victory over the demonic horde and safeguarding humanity, the Commander returns to headquarters for a debriefing, while Doomslayer enters cryostasis, seemingly echoing the Commander’s words, “Stir me when you need me.” It wasn’t until I began writing this fanfiction that I truly understood the melancholy underlying this tale. Is it too late now to propose a second season to Microsoft? At least the Halo Infinite narrative is engaging enough.
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2025-01-03 14:39