Secret Level Could’ve Had a Halo & Doom Crossover Episode

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As a long-time gamer who has spent countless hours battling Covenant forces in Halo and slaying demons in Doom, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment that we didn’t get to witness Master Chief and the Doom Slayer joining forces in an episode of Amazon’s Secret Level. The idea of these two iconic figures teaming up was nothing short of exhilarating, and it would have been a dream come true for many gamers, including myself.

However, I can understand Microsoft’s apprehension towards such a crossover. Halo and Doom are two of the most beloved franchises in gaming history, and any crossover could potentially tarnish their respective lore or disrupt the established narratives. As much as I’d love to see Master Chief and the Doom Slayer working together, I can appreciate the need for caution when it comes to preserving these universes.

On a lighter note, if Microsoft ever decides to give the green light for such a crossover, I imagine the ensuing battle between the Covenant and the forces of Hell would make for one heck of a fight club! Until then, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for future seasons of Secret Level, hoping that more gaming franchises will be included and maybe, just maybe, we might get to see some unexpected crossovers down the line. After all, who wouldn’t want to see Mario teaming up with Solid Snake to take down Bowser and the Boss? Fingers crossed!

The initial season of the Amazon Prime show “Secret Level” was launched a month ago, featuring a collection of stories inspired by various well-known video games as anthology pieces. Co-creators Tim Miller and Dave Wilson endeavored to incorporate popular gaming franchises into the series, ranging from classics such as Mega Man and Pac-Man to contemporary successes like Sifu and New World. With the first season now accessible, we’re getting a glimpse of the games that were under consideration but ultimately not included in the final product. In an interview with Collider, Miller and Wilson shared their intention to produce crossover episodes, one of which would have merged the universes of Halo and Doom.

In simpler terms, the person in charge of creative ideas at id Software is a friend of ours, as are many people at Microsoft. Since Tim and I have always wanted to create something not yet seen in games, such as crossovers, we wrote a heartfelt plea for this. Specifically, we desired to develop an episode featuring Master Chief and the Doom Slayer interacting, and I spent an entire weekend composing a passionate letter about it. However, as Tim mentioned, they responded with a firm “no”.

It’s clear that the idea of Doom Slayer and Master Chief teaming up in an episode of Secret Level is truly exciting, but there are valid reasons why Microsoft might have passed on the opportunity. A collaboration between Doom and Halo would have been significant, but it seems Xbox and Bethesda prefer to maintain a distinct boundary between these two worlds. There could also be complications related to Halo’s TV rights, as the now-canceled Paramount+ show may have posed an obstacle. Miller hints that there are numerous lawyers involved in sorting out video game rights. However, it’s equally plausible that Microsoft chose not to take part; they also declined a proposal for Half-Life.

According to Miller and Wilson’s interview with Collider, there were numerous obstacles in bringing Secret Level to life. Fortunately, a second season has been greenlit by Amazon, which may encourage companies that initially declined participation in Season 1 to consider joining in for Season 2. It is uncertain if Microsoft will be more open to the creators’ ideas, such as an episode focusing on one game or a crossover event. Miller and Wilson express optimism about potential opportunities, but the future of the show remains uncertain.

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2025-01-02 21:40