"‘Secret Level’ Transforms Video Game Franchises, Including a Grim Pac-Man"

Video games have emerged as a powerful cultural force, akin to comic books in their ability to captivate audiences. Hollywood's recent success in adapting video game properties has opened up a new era of entertainment. In the adult animated anthology series "Secret Level," creator Tim Miller took a unique approach by drawing inspiration from his previous show, "Love Death + Robots." This allowed for a fresh take on video game adaptations, where familiarity with the source material became a bonus rather than a requirement.

Unlock the Magic of Video Game Adaptations in "Secret Level"

From "Pac-Man" to "Armored Core": Diverse Game Adaptations in "Secret Level"

Video games come in all shapes and sizes, from light on story like "Pac-Man" to rich with lore like "Dungeons & Dragons" and "Warhammer 40,000". In "Secret Level," each episode showcases a different game, offering a unique perspective. Take the "Dungeons & Dragons" episode, for example. It tells a short fantasy adventure that taps into the decades' worth of lore across dozens of published stories. This shows how the series aims to capture the essence of a game in a single short format. It's not just about retelling the game but finding an emotional underpinning that connects with viewers.Another aspect is the variety of art styles. Each animation studio brings its own touch, as seen in the "Pac-Man" episode which goes for a bleak, bloody sci-fi dystopia instead of the classic 8-bit look. This freedom to reinterpret allows for a fresh and exciting exploration of each game.

The Scriptwriting Process: A Collaborative Effort

The scriptwriting process in "Secret Level" follows a similar path to that of "Love Death + Robots". Fiction writers pitch ideas based on the video games, and then Miller and his team select a story. The selected writer then crafts a short story that is adapted into a screenplay by the final writer. This collaborative effort ensures that the essence of the game is preserved while adding a new layer of storytelling.For instance, when adapting a game with strict guidelines, the team has to navigate those boundaries while still creating an engaging story. On the other hand, some studios give absolute free rein, allowing for more creative exploration. This diversity in the scriptwriting process adds to the uniqueness of each episode.

The Challenging Selection Process: Hundreds of Games Considered

Selecting the games for "Secret Level" was no easy task. The team considered hundreds of games, starting with a list of Miller's and his team's favorites. Then, they reached out to game studios, some of which were willing to take the leap and participate in this new format, while others were more hesitant.The politics involved in securing the rights to the games could be quite daunting. However, the team managed to get most of the games they wanted, with some still waiting in the wings. This shows the dedication and effort put into creating this unique anthology series."Secret Level" premieres on December 10 with its first two episodes and releases two episodes weekly through the January 27 finale. It's an exciting journey that takes viewers on a ride through the world of video game adaptations, showcasing the creativity and talent of the animators and writers.